A movement caught my attention over her head.
I lifted my gaze and locked eyes with Harold Sacks, a real estate tycoon. He grinned, all teeth and suave inclination.
Fuck me.
There was no avoiding this collision.
Pressing a fast kiss on Gabriella’s forehead, I murmured, “You look beautiful tonight, by the way.”
She sucked in a sharp breath of air. It was as if she were surprised.
I frowned, but there wasn’t time to push the issue. I spun her into my side, locking her in place at my left and angling my body slightly in front of hers as Sacks made his way over.
The tycoon drifted to us with a loose confidence that came from money and a half-empty glass. Eyes glassy, he smirked, already convinced he owned the room. He stuck out his hand like he was doing me a favor.
“Hell of a party,” he said, voice loud enough to draw a little attention. “Haven’t seen you out and about much. But I can guess why.”
My molars scraped hard as he studied my mask. Reluctantly, I took his hand and shook. There was no reason giving this sonofabitch much of my attention. Da never touched his properties, but I felt the pitch coming on like a bad stink. As the head of the organization, it was now my job to endure these kinds of interactions.
“Harold, good to see you,” I lied.
Dropping my hand to my side, I made plans to burn the glove when I got home.
The tycoon chuckled, taking a sip of bourbon, gaze flicking over the mask again. “My condolences about your father.”
“Thank you.”
“Glad to see you’re not hiding at home.” He scratched his chin with his cocktail glass. “In fact, I’m surprised you took over the family business. What with the accident and all.”
“I’ve been running McDonagh Construction for the last decade,” I bristled.
What a fecking wiener. He knew that. Hell, everyone in the damn room knew that.
Gabriella shifted beside me, watching the interaction.
I took a deep, calming breath. The tycoon was only trying to get under my skin. The scent of peaches grounded me.
I’m not going to let him.
“Your father and I were talking at one of the spring galas—the Commission for the Blind or the Arts Foundation, I can’t remember which. Doesn’t matter,” he snorted.
His gaze flicked to Gabriella. It assessed her, raking down her body. Right before I could push her behind me and get in the fecker’s face, it slid back to me. Dismissive. And that made me see red for a whole different reason.
Sacks found her wanting.
I was going to kill him.
“We were talking about plans for the old sports center on Bay Front Drive,” the tycoon continued. “It would make an excellent high-rise for condominiums. The area is teeming with potential.”
“Theyouthsports center?” I growled. “The one for disabled kids?”
“Yeah, that one. Great location. The whole block is begging for a remodel.” Sacks took a sip of his drink.
I took a step to the left, ready to move on. “Not interested.”
The tycoon snorted, stepping to block me. “Your father was more tactful. Then again, he knew how to speak business.”
Gabriella let out a huff.
