“Isn’t that a bit obvious?”
Ryan looked offended. “Amateur. Watch and learn.”
He led me on what appeared to be a casual path through the crowd, somehow timing it perfectly so we ended up near Matt’s group just as Xavier arrived. Porter had stepped back, watching the interaction with what seemed like polite interest.
“The Dubai group seemed impressed,” Xavier was saying. “Though I wonder if they know about the setbacks in the Sydney project?”
Matt’s smile didn’t waver. “I wasn’t aware you were keeping such close tabs on my operations, Xavier.”
“Just looking out for potential partners.” Xavier’s tone was pure innocence. “After all, we both want what’s best for the industry.”
The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Ryan actually rubbed his hands together in glee.
I noticed something shift in Xavier’s expression as he watched Matt—a flash of something intense beneath the polished exterior. The way his eyes followed Matt’s every movement was almost… obsessive.
“The industry needs strong leadership,” Xavier continued, his gaze never leaving Matt. “Someone who truly understands its potential. Its power.”
The possessive undertone in his voice made me shiver slightly. Ryan, still watching the exchange like it was premium entertainment, didn’t seem to notice how Xavier’s fingers tightened on his champagne glass whenever Matt’s hand touched my back.
“You know,” Ryan whispered, “Xavier’s been fixated on Matt’s operations ever since MIT. Some people say that’s why he moved his company to Vegas—to be closer to the action.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Or closer to something else.”
Xavier’s carefully controlled expression cracked slightly when Matt pulled me closer. “It’s rather warm in here, isn’t it?” He loosened his tie with elegant fingers. “The desert air can be so… suffocating.”
The way he looked at me then—a mixture of calculation and something darker—made me want to step behind Matt. Instead,I lifted my chin. I hadn’t survived years of small-town drama to be intimidated by a billionaire with boundary issues.
“I find it quite pleasant,” I said sweetly. “But then, I belong here.”
“You belong here?” Xavier’s laugh was velvet laced with venom. “How… quaint.” His eyes tracked Matt’s hand on my waist with an intensity that seemed more than professional rivalry. “Though I suppose we all start somewhere. I remember when Matt first took over his father’s casino—such raw potential.”
The way he said Matt’s name, like he was savoring it, made something protective flare in my chest.
“Oh God,” Ryan muttered into his cider. “Here we go.”
“Of course, that was before he became the king of Sin City,” Xavier continued, his emerald eyes never leaving Matt. “Before he understood what true power meant.” There was something almost reverent in his tone, an edge of obsession that seemed at odds with his polished exterior.
Matt’s jaw tightened. “I’m sure the Dubai investors would love to hear your theories on power, Xavier. Why don’t you share them?”
“Maybe later.” Xavier’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’d hate to bore Andy with business talk. Though I must say”—his gaze raked over me dismissively—”your taste has certainly… evolved since MIT.”
The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Matt’s entire body tensed, and Ryan actually stopped mid-sip, eyes wide.
“Careful,” Matt’s voice was deadly quiet.
Xavier held up his hands in mock surrender, but I caught the way his fingers trembled slightly when Matt stepped forward. “Just making conversation. After all, we’re all friends here, aren’t we?”
“Are we?” I asked sweetly, pressing closer to Matt’s side. The flash of raw anger in Xavier’s eyes was quickly masked, but I saw it.
“Andy.” He said my name like it left a bad taste in his mouth. “You really have no idea what you’ve stepped into, do you? This world—Matt’s world—it requires a certain… understanding. A certain devotion.”
The way he emphasizeddevotionmade it sound like a prayer. Or an obsession.
“I think Andy understands perfectly well.” Matt’s tone held a warning that would have made smarter men back down.
Xavier just smiled, that same intense focus never wavering from Matt. “Does he? Does he understand what it means to be worthy of a king?” His voice dropped lower. “To be his equal?”
Ryan whistled low. “And this is why I never miss these parties.”
I felt Matt’s muscles coil, ready to respond, but another executive chose that moment to approach with questions about some merger. The interruption seemed to break whatever spell had fallen over our little group.
