Dameon looked at him. “You’ll be there for both, right?”
Winter nodded. “Unless Claire calls me away for some last-minute thing.”
“It’s fine. Sleep is overrated.” Dameon’s eyes skipped to Gavi. “Besides,” he said, staring warily at her. “I think I’d prefer to sleep through this entire flight, anyway. I’ll be plenty rested.”
“Oh, cheer up, Dame. I make a great flight companion,” Gavi said, and from her voice, Sydney could tell that they must have known each other for a while.
Dameon tightened his lips at her. “Won’t know. I’ll be asleep.”
Gavi gave him a sweet smile, then winked at Sydney, who sat in the row behind her. “Ashley here likes me just fine.”
Ashley Miller.The name for Sydney’s cover. Winter tensed as Sydney regarded Gavi politely. “I don’t have opinions on my client’s acquaintances, ma’am,” she answered.
Gavi made an O with her lips. “So, you’re a discreet one,” she said, tilting her head at Sydney. “Thank god. Last thing I need is the security detail to have an opinion.”
“She’s here to protect us, Gav,” Winter said with a sigh.
Gavi crossed her arms and regarded Sydney carefully. “You know, Winter, I was surprised you invited me along, after what happened the last time we were in Singapore. She might have her work cut out for her,” she said with a wicked grin. “Well, girl, try not to mess with my vibe too much.”
“I won’t, ma’am,” Sydney said, her professional tone completely unfussed. “Not if I can help it.”
Gavi’s lips twitched at her answer. Winter gave Sydney a raised eyebrow and an expression that said,Please keep the peace in here, for my sake.
Sydney just smiled a little and looked away, but Winter could read the dislike on her face.
Gavi looked at Winter. “You can spare me your rehearsals,” she said. “I’m just here for your date nights at the gala. Don’t worry. I’ll find ways to keep myself busy. Maybe Ashley here can join me. Right, Ash? You seem fun.” She grinned at Sydney.
Sydney looked back at her without reaction. “I’m just here to protect Mr. Young, ma’am.”
“I bet you are,” Gavi said with a cold smile.
Across from him, Winter saw Dameon’s eyes shift to his. The boy’s gaze was calm, as serene as it always was, but to Winter, it felt searing enough that he got up from his seat and headed to the back of the jet. Sydney looked at him, as if asking whether or not he wanted her to follow him, but he just shook his head subtly at her and opened a door, revealing an elegant bedroom with a queen-sized bed.
He turned around with a sigh, eager to lie down and close his eyes.
“Winter.”
Dameon had followed in his wake, those serene eyes locked on him.
Winter shrugged and stepped away so that his friend could enter. When they were alone, he turned and gave Winter a quizzical frown.
“You gonna tell me why Gavi’s here?” he asked. “You guys can’t really be back together again?”
Winter ran a hand through his hair and slumped on the edge of the bed. “It’s a long story,” he said. “Claire told me I needed a date for the ceremony, and Gavi was just… there.”
Dameon frowned at him. “You could have just asked me.”
Winter laughed a little. “Aren’t you seeing that baseball guy?”
He shrugged. “It’s casual. I’m just telling you that I would have suffered through a night as your plus one if just to spare us all a trip with Gavi.”
“Sorry,” he muttered. “But I promise, we’re not back together. It’s just a business thing.”
Dameon looked at him skeptically, then turned to nod at the closed door. “And Ashley… Why’s she back?” he asked quietly.
“She did a decent job last year in London. We needed extra security, so I had Claire reach out to her again.” Winter lifted an eyebrow at him. “What, you’ve got a problem with her, too?”
He shook his head. “No, I liked her last time. This time, too.”
