Page 101 of Bling

“And at the point that you cut off his inside connection to the company, he what? Vowed to get revenge?”

Garrett chuckled. “Something like that. He declared that we were dead to him and even changed his last name. I just don’t know what’s brought him out of the woodwork now, or why he’s using the Oliver name again, and I intend to find out. He’s definitely meddling in my affairs, though and very nearly got me kicked off the small business advisory committee we’re here to celebrate tonight.”

“So, you think Darren was working with him?”

Garrett shrugged. “It makes sense, but it will take some untangling to find out.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry this is turning into an awkward night. Any chance we can get a different table?”

He squeezed her hand. “Doubtful. It’s a full house. But we’re going to do our best to have a good time, and then I’m going to take you to Solitaire and have my way with you.”

Isabelle lowered her gaze and eyed him through her lashes. “We could just skip right to that part.”

He grinned and stood, pulling her with him. “I would love to, Doll. But I’m not going to be seen as a coward who tucks his tail. We’re going to have to stick this one out. Let’s get back inside and play nice with everyone.”

Dinner was as awkward as he expected it to be. The last time Garrett had attempted to reach out to his brother was six years ago when their mother died. When their father died a year later, he didn’t even bother trying.”

“Isabelle,” Maddox said as they were eating dessert. “How did you come to be on my brother’s arm?”

She gave him a tight smile. “I got really lucky,” she said.

Maddox laughed. “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one, sweetheart. But seriously, how did you and Gary meet?”

Garrett rested a hand on her thigh beneath the table. “Isabelle has worked in one of my facilities for a few years and I had the pleasure of meeting her during a site visit some months back.”

She turned her gaze to his and smiled tenderly at him.

“Ah, so unethical behavior at work is OK for you. Good to know,” Maddox said, disdain dripping from his voice.

The others at the table were visibly uncomfortable.

Garrett glanced at his smart watch. “We should get going, baby,” he said, letting a hand rest on her shoulder.

“Of course,” she said, smiling sweetly.

“Sure, run away when the conversation gets awkward, Gary,” Maddox said, tossing his napkin aside.

Garrett just stared at him. “Are you serious right now? You couldn’t even be bothered to come to our parent’s funerals.”

“We’re leaving, Isabelle,” he said tightly as he pushed his chair back and stood.

“If you ever decide you want a man to treat you as his equal, just let me know, Isabelle. You have my email address.”

Beside him, he felt her stiffen as he clenched his own fists. It was the bastard's subtle way of letting both of them know he was the one who’d made that phone call and was likely the one behind the leak of their connection to Solitaire. What he wanted to know now was how his brother knew about this to begin with.

In the back of the limo, Isabelle surprised him by lifting the skirt of her dress so she could straddle his lap. When she was settled, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him frantically.

“How far away is Solitaire?” she asked between kisses.

He swerved his head, so his mouth ended up next to her ear when she came in for his next kiss. His hand pressed against the back of her head and trapped her against his shoulder.

“Hmmm.” He hummed, knowing the vibration of his voice would tickle her neck and drive her wild. “What does my girl need?” he asked.

She shuddered against him but didn’t answer.

“I won’t ask again, Isabelle. Tell me what you need, and I’ll give it to you. Don’t answer and I’ll just have my way with you, which means you’re leaving my bed marked, sore, and well fucked.”

“That,” she breathed into his neck. “I need that.”

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