Part 16 (2/2)

Olivia, who Riley had learned was the more outspoken of the two women, straightened her shoulders. ”You owe us all an apology,” she told him. ”Unless you think not showing up when you're invited and have accepted a dinner invitation is the polite thing to do.” She raised an imperious eyebrow as she stood up for her brother.

Alex straightened his shoulders. ”I think that's between me and Ian.”

”Not when I extended the actual invitation on his behalf,” Olivia reminded him.

Riley winced. She deliberately stayed out of the conversation. Although the subject upset her, she recognized it was none of her business.

Alex met her gaze and slowly nodded. ”You're right. It was rude, and I'm sorry.”

Riley blinked in surprise, proud of her best friend for owning his behavior.

”Any chance you'll tell Ian that?” Olivia asked, pus.h.i.+ng her luck.

”Tell Ian what?” the subject of conversation asked, joining them.

Riley sighed.

Ian slipped in beside her, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her tightly against him. She automatically leaned into his warmth, savoring the delicious and arousing smell of his cologne. His fingers gripped her waist possessively.

The half siblings and siblings studied each other warily.

”I think Avery and I are going to dance.” Olivia spoke first. ”It's the first time this DJ is picking up the beat. I don't want to miss out,” she said, grasping her sister's hand and pulling her away.

Left alone with the two men, Riley looked to each, wondering who'd break the tension first.

”Alex,” Ian said, extending his hand for a shake.

Riley knew what the gesture had cost Ian's pride. She immediately knew he'd done it for her, and her heart filled with love for this enigmatic, self-contained man.

Love.

Oh G.o.d.

She didn't have time to a.n.a.lyze the emotion because Alex hadn't answered. Beside her, Ian stiffened at the insult, and they both waited.

”Ian.” Alex pumped Ian's hand.

Riley's knees went weak, and she was grateful for Ian's bodily support.

She expected them to find a reason to part ways, but to her surprise, they made small talk about the draft and the potential of both teams during the upcoming season.

A start, she thought, relieved and pleased beyond words. These two men were so important to her she couldn't bear it if they couldn't even make small inroads in their relations.h.i.+p.

”Feeling better?” Alex asked Riley, interrupting her internal musings.

”I'm fine,” she answered quickly, shooting him a warning look. She hoped he understood that she wanted him to end this conversation now and not bring up last night's phone call.

”I set a PI on your dad. I should know what that b.a.s.t.a.r.d has been up to soon enough.” Clearly he'd missed her pointed glance.

”What's going on?” Ian asked.

Riley groaned. ”I...” She trailed off, unsure of where to begin.

Alex's gaze shot to hers, his expression apologetic. ”I'm sorry, Ri. I just a.s.sumed you'd told him.”

”Told me what?” Ian asked, his grip on her waist tightening.

”Ouch,” she muttered.

He immediately loosened his hold. ”What am I missing?” he asked.

She swallowed hard and glanced up at him. ”Do you remember earlier, in the limo, I said I wanted to talk to you, and we-umm-got distracted?”

Ian nodded, his jaw tight. He hated being in the dark. Hated more that Riley and his half brother shared some sort of secret.

”Well, it was about this.”

”I don't know what this is,” Ian reminded her, hurt and betrayal flooding through him.

Alex shook his head. ”Jesus, Riley. Your old man surfaces, I didn't expect you to keep the news locked up tight. He's the guy you're with.” He gestured toward Ian. ”h.e.l.l, you practically threatened me that I'd lose you if I didn't come around and find a way to get along with him. I figured he was the first one you'd confided in.”

”You thought wrong,” Ian informed him. ”I don't know what the h.e.l.l is going on, but I plan to find out,” he said, his voice vibrating with anger. ”Let's go. We're leaving,” he told Riley, his hand still holding her arm.

”The h.e.l.l you are.” Alex stepped into his personal s.p.a.ce. ”You're not leaving with her while you're so p.i.s.sed off.”

”Alex, it's fine,” Riley said.

The other man scowled at Ian. ”You don't hurt her, you don't lay a f.u.c.king hand on her in anger.”

”He wouldn't! Alex, back off. This is my problem, not yours,” Riley said, defending him.

Ian clenched his free hand, the one he was itching to shove in his half brother's face.

”Do not tell me how to deal with my woman,” Ian bit out, wanting Alex to know when it came to Riley, Ian had first dibs. ”And if you think she'd be with me if I laid a hand on her, then you don't know her as well as you think you do.”

”You're the one who doesn't know her.”

Point scored, Ian thought.

Alex stepped back. ”Call me in the morning,” he said to Riley.

She nodded.

Ian immediately led her across the ballroom toward the exit. She struggled to keep up with him in her high heels, but getting her alone and quickly was his first priority.

”We need to say good-bye to your family,” she said.

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