Chapter 14
Brooks
I stand against the wall, hidden by the shadows of the dark hallway. Hannah obviously didn’t want guests to come this way, which is why I followed her. I didn’t know her friend was with her until I heard them speaking.
Her words dance around my mind.
He means nothing.
Fuck.
I deserve that. But I also don’t plan on accepting it, either. Hannah doesn’t know the entire story, which is my fault. But I plan on telling her everything. From the Brotherhood to my first wife to how I ended up engaged to Jacqueline Chanel Minty-Smith. If she still wants nothing to do with me, then I’ll accept it. But I’m not going down without a fight. Not again.
I make my way to the main room where people are gathering. My gaze goes to Hannah right away. She’s at Dave the Douche’s side, his arm around her waist.
“Easy there, Brooks,” Ace says from next to me.
I glare at him. “You don’t know what I was going to do.”
He dips his head toward Hannah. “I can guess it has something to do with the man at your girl’s side.”
Isa joins us and says, “He’s not her type at all.”
I smile. “You’re just biased.”
“I didn’t say you were her type, either.” But she’s smiling.
“I don’t deserve her, but I’m going to do whatever it fucking takes to win her back.”
Isa wipes at her eyes. “These damn hormones.”
Ace pulls her close. “Are sexy as hell.”
“We are not hooking up here, Alessandro.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “A challenge?”
“A fact.”
I snort because I know Ace. He’s going to see this as a challenge, no matter what his wife says.
She must know it, too, because she says, “Let me say goodbye to Hannah and then we can leave.”
“I like the way you think, wife.” When she’s gone, Ace says to me, “Seriously, don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t.”
“Brooks.”
“Ace.”
He sighs. “We’ll find something on Jacqueline. Until then, we have to play this smart. Have you heard from Grant?”
“He’s been busy, but finally replied.”
“And?”
“And he said he’ll help if I pledge my support to his campaign.”
Ace says, “Always a catch with that one.”
“Well, the joke’s on him because he already had my support.”
“That was before you were an Elite Member,” Ace says with a frown. “It means more now that you’re a big dog.”
“Don’t remind me.”
Isa returns at that moment, looping her arm through Ace’s. “Let’s get out of here, husband.”
The two leave without even looking my way. My chest is tight, and I rub the spot just over my heart.
I want what they have.
Turning, I find Hannah watching me. And I want it with her.