“But Mommy, I think she’s a hussy trying to steal Sacha’s boyfriend! That’s just not done!”
Joker covered his mouth with his hand. Ever since Dotty heard Gio call him Sacha, she called him that, too. He didn’t mind. She was so damned cute. He glanced over at Gio, whose mouth hung open. Seeming to snap himself out of it, he finally closed his mouth and turned to Joker. He looked confused. Mariam looked pissed, not that Joker gave a fuck.
Joker shrugged. “Kids. Aren’t they just precious?”
“Are you telling people I’m a hussy?” Mariam demanded.
“What?” Joker frowned. “No. Dotty was the one who said it. Not me.”
Mariam folded her arms over her chest. “That child is six years old at most. She doesn’t know what a hussy is.”
“Exactly. She thought it was a dog,” Joker said, but that just seemed to make Miriam even angrier. “I’m not calling you a dog. Dotty had confused husky with hussy. You know what, I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
“Sacha, what’s going on?” Gio asked.
Mariam wrapped her arms around Gio’s, her eyes glassy. “I can’t believe your boyfriend called me that. Is that what he’s been telling people? That I’m some kind of home-wrecker?”
“I’m sure that’s not—” Gio stopped when Joker said nothing. “Sacha?”
“Really?” Joker shook his head. “Unbelievable.” Then he saw them. Really saw them. They looked so fucking beautiful together.
Joker stood, grabbed his coat off the back of his chair, shoved it on, grabbed his crutches, and headed for the door. His painkillers were starting to wear off, his leg was itching like fuck, and if he stayed, he was going to say something he’d regret.
With his heart hurting, he went out into the cold, though he didn’t feel the bitter wind. He told himself it was the falling snow making his cheeks wet. Ugh, it was just his injury making him feel like this. He needed some air, that was all.
CHAPTERFIVE
What just happened?
Gio grabbed his coat off the chair and quickly put it on when Mariam stopped him.
“Don’t go. Stay here. With me.”
“What?” Gio stared at her. “Mariam, I need to go after him. Something’s wrong.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.” Mariam slipped her arm around his waist and pouted. “Wouldn’t you rather stay here?”
“What are you doing?” Gio took a quick step back. “Mariam, I’m sorry if I’ve done something to make you think I’m interested in anything other than friendship. I’m in a relationship.”
“He’s cute, Gio, but he’s not right for you.”
“Excuseme?”
“Your bodyguard? What were you thinking? After everything that happened?”
A chill went through Gio. Had he heard right? What the hell was happening right now? “Are you…are you seriously comparing Sacha to the bastard who helped kidnap me?” His blood boiled. He needed to go.
She seemed to realize her mistake. Her face flushed as she squeezed his arm. “No, of course not. I’m sorry. I just meant that we were so good together, Gio. Walking away from you was the biggest mistake of my life. I want to be with you.”
“What? Mariam, I’m with someone else, and you don’t seem to care.”
“Just think about it. We could travel the world together just like before. Now that your schedule isn’t crazy, we could actually spend time together.”
“The only person I want to spend time with is the one who needs me right now.” Gio removed her hand from his arm. How had he not seen it? “You’re not the person I thought you were, Mariam. I am deeply in love with Sacha. He means more to me than anything, and if you can’t accept that, then I’m afraid there’s no place for you in my life. Excuse me.”
She nodded and quietly walked away. Gio zipped his coat up and told Cookie to find Uncle Colton. Ignoring the concerned looks from his family, he ran out of the ballroom.
“Sacha?” he called out.
