Page 48 of Savage Heart

“And what’s that?”

“I convince her of the reality of the situation, and she agrees.”

That makes him laugh, which is quickly followed by more wincing and a low groan. “I know you like to think you can make things happen by sheer force of will, but this might not be one of those times.”

“I’ve got a forty-five that says otherwise.”

Gideon rolls his eyes at the mention of my gun. “Are you planning on using it on Sienna? I think you’re going to have to come up with some other solution to this problem.”

For a moment, I let my mind drift back to that first time we were together after using my gun on Sienna in a way I’d never used a gun before. As insane as it is, I think that was a simpler time for us. There were no families. Just Sienna and me in that villa. It wasn’t exactly perfect, but it had its charm.

“I think you’re too logical,” I say with a laugh.

He shakes his head like I’m making no sense. “I’m a businessman. Logic is an important part of my day-to-day life. You want the flipside of me? Go find my brother.”

I don’t need to give that offer much thought. “No, thank you. Alex is too full of emotion, mainly rage. It’s like you two are polar opposites. I think I’ll stick with the logical son of Helix Rule.”

Gideon slowly sits up straight in his chair and reaches for his cup of coffee. “If I’m so logical, how the hell did I get tied up in that nonsense last night? I can’t remember the last time I took a swing at someone. No wonder I’m sore today. Even if the son of a bitch didn’t hit me, I’d probably be aching all over.”

“That’s because you spend too much time being civilized and logical here in this hotel. You need to get out and enjoy the world, man. What exactly was that guy’s problem with you anyway?”

A slow smile lifts the corners of my cousin’s mouth. “I think he was picking up on the vibe his wife or girlfriend was giving off. I’m not sure what she is to him, but last night, she wasn’t interested in him enough, I guess. I was having a good time flirting with her. You know, no harm, no foul. Just adults having a little fun. I didn’t think he was going to slap her and then drop her to the ground. Fucking dick.”

“So you decided that you needed to defend her honor and beat the hell out of her man. Sounds very balanced and logical,” I say, teasing him.

“I didn’t intend of doing anything of the sort, but Christ, he dropped her like she was a fifty-pound sack of flour right in front of me. I may not enjoy fighting, but I have a reputation to uphold around here. I didn’t realize he planned to take out all his jealousy on the two of us.”

His explanation makes me laugh. “So much logic there. She was gorgeous, though. She should be thanking you this morning for defending her honor. What happened after you two left the party?”

Gideon’s dark eyebrows shoot up into his forehead. “She didn’t leave with me. She disappeared into the night, and I didn’t go after her because I get the feeling those two are nothing but trouble. I bet they put on that show in public more often than not because he’s a jealous asshole and she likes to push his buttons by flirting with other men. She’s probably waking up next to him right now.”

“Too bad for you.”

Gideon shakes his head at that idea. “No, not too bad for me. I don’t get involved with that kind of drama. I’ve got a business to run here and a reputation to keep up. Neither of those have any space open for a damsel in distress who likes to poke the bear.”

“Be careful. You’re sounding distinctly unherolike right now.”

That gets me another eye roll. “I’m no hero. I don’t think there’s ever been a Rule anyone could call a hero. I’m a villain like the rest of our family. I just make it look presentable.”

My mood improved, I stand to leave. “Presentable villainy by Gideon Rule. Sounds about right. That can be the title of your autobiography. As for me, I prefer the behind-the-scenes villain act I get to play in life. I guess I better get back up to the room and Sienna.”

“Still thinking of going with forcing her to see your point of view?”

Throwing my head back in laughter, I say, “I think I’m going to go with charm and see where that gets me.”

“Charm?” Gideon asks as he lets his discriminating gaze drift over me. “That’s not usually your style. You might want to get yourself a new suit if you’re going to try to be charming.”

I turn to walk out as I mumble, “I didn’t say I was going to try to be some charming asshole businessman.”

He laughs behind me and says, “Try the store in the lobby. Go with black. You don’t want to look like a goddamned tourist when you go charming.”

Leave it to someone in my family to mention that being charming isn’t really my strong suit. I’d still take the Rules over the Rossettis any day of the week. Now I just have to make Sienna see that.

As I walk into our suite, it’s strangely silent. “Sienna, I’m back,” I call out so she can hear me if she’s in the bathroom.

But she doesn’t answer.

She’s probably still angry with me. Time to turn on that charm Gideon doesn’t think I possess.

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