Page 18 of Fury

“Maybe he likes having you around,” says Axel with a grin.

“I can’t think why,” says Fletch, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I told her to walk away,” I mutter, fixing my eyes on Xanthe as she and Donnie move around the room together hand-in-hand. “And instead, she slept with him.”

Axel follows my glare. “The nurse?”

“Why would you tell her to walk away?” asks Fletch. He’s my closest brother seeing as we were in the Nottingham charter together for a time.

“That’s Xanthe,” I tell him, and his eyes widen in surprise.

“Fuck, brother. And she’s dating Donnie?” I nod. “I mean, she’s stunning. I can see why you’d be pissed.”

“Someone gonna fill me in?” asks Grizz.

“He had a thing with her when he was a teenager,” says Fletch.

“Ouch,” says Grizz, patting me on the back. “Axel and Fletch can both sympathise with you there.”

“I don’t advise you get in the middle of whatever she’s got going with Donnie,” warns Axel.

“He’s right,” agrees Grizz. “Sit back. He’ll soon get bored. He never stays with one woman for long.”

“Put your attention elsewhere,” adds Fletch. “You have a fan club right there.”

He nods towards where Xanthe’s friends are sitting, occasionally glancing my way. “Let’s go charm them,” adds Grizz, pushing me towards them.

“Ladies,” I greet, “can I get you a drink?”

One of the women points to the bottle of Champagne on the table. “Donnie sorted it,” she says.

“Of course, he did,” I mutter.

“I’m Grizz,” he says, holding out a hand and shaking each of theirs.

“I’m Julianna. I work with Xanthe. And this is Jorja, her best friend.”

I sit beside Jorja. Grizz makes an excuse about needing to speak to Axel and rushes off, leaving us alone. “So,” says Jorja, “you love my bestie.”

I frown. “I don’t even know her.”

“Bullshit, I can tell by your face. You haven’t stopped searching the room for her.”

“I’m worried about her,” I admit. “Donnie Nelson is bad news.”

They both lean closer. “In what way?” asks Julianna.

“In every possible bad way you can think of,” I reply. “He’s not the sort of man she should be with.”

“Is that coming from a jealous ex or a concerned friend?” asks Jorja.

“Both,” I admit.

They exchange a worried look. “Okay, we’ll talk to her,” says Julianna. “Give Jorja your number, and she’ll let you know what she says.”

Jorja hands me her mobile, and I input my number right as Xanthe joins us. She arches a brow as she slides in beside Julianna. “Having a good night?” she asks.

“Great,” Jorja replies. “You?”

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