Page 51 of Something Unforgettable

“What new trouble have you been getting into, darling?” he asked Isabella. “Gabriel said he got everything with the dress smoothed over.”

Isabella signaled someone across the room and a moment later had a glass of pink champagne in her hand. She took a delicate sip.

“Yes, Gabriel was amazing, as usual. You don’t need to say ‘I told you so.’”

“I had no intention to,” Xavier said. She had a stressful life—it was part of his job to understand that and let things go when necessary. “And Michael?” he asked, curious if she’d rehired her agent or if he needed to help her find a replacement.

She rolled her eyes. “Let’s not bring the party down. I’ll call you next week.” He nodded his agreement and she changed the subject to Finn’s visit to LA and how he was liking it. While Finn was telling her about Xavier’s house—which she was kind enough to not mention having been to before—Remy dropped down on the other side of Finn, kicked his feet up on the coffee table next to Isabella, and flung his arm along the back of the sofa.

“Save me from these old fucks,” he grumbled, knocking back his drink and signaling for another. “How long before the real party can get started?”

Isabella laughed and leaned over to shove his feet off the table. “Those old fucks are your bread and butter, darling. Be nice or they might lose your number.”

Remy accepted a new drink from a passing server. “I’m not sure if I even care. I’m thinking about trying something new.” He glanced at Finn, who looked proud of the older man.

“New?” Xavier parroted. Just what had these two gotten up to this afternoon?

“Yep. New me. New direction. I think it might be the right thing.”

Xavier’s eyebrows went up. He liked the hope in Remy’s voice, but this wasn’t the place to have this discussion.

“Why don’t we—”

Remy straightened, his expression turning dark and furious. “What the fuck ishedoing here?” he bit out. The ice in his glass rattled and his free hand curled into a fist. He surged to his feet, Isabella and Xavier only a second behind. Out of the corner of his eye, Xavier saw Finn scramble up as well and reached out to steady him.

Isabella grabbed Remy’s arm with both hands, her five-foot-nothing looking tiny beside him, even in heels.

“Remy, don’t,” she pleaded. “Trust me, he wasn’t invited and he’s not staying.”

Xavier followed Remy’s glare to see someone he’d hoped to not have to deal with ever again.

“Jackson,” he said, not sure what expression was on his face, but knowing it was nothing welcoming. Despite that, Jackson was crossing the room toward them.

Xavier was vibrating with anger when Finn reached up and grabbed his hand. Shit. He didn’t want Finn in the middle of anything that was about to happen.

“Bella, take Finn and—”

“No,” Finn cut in, his voice wavering. “I’m not leaving you.” He squeezed Xavier’s hand. “That’s him, right? The guy who outed Remy. Who dated you for your money?”

That made Xavier turn and look at him. He hadn’t realized Finn knew that it had been the same person. Finn’s brow was furrowed, and his anxious eyes flicked from Jackson to Xavier and back again.

“Yes,” Xavier admitted. “But you don’t need to be here for this.”

Jackson reached them then. “Hey, Xavier. Remy. I didn’t expect to run into you tonight.”

“Bullshit,” Remy ground out. “You’re just looking for more attention. Didn’t get enough with your little interview?”

“Don’t be like that, Rem,” Jackson said with a sigh. “Eventually, you’ll see I did you a favor.” He turned to Xavier. “Can we talk?” His eyes caught on Finn, then their clasped hands. “Without the twink?”

Finn flinched at his side and Xavier gripped his hand tighter.

“We have nothing to say to each other.”

“I bet I can change your mind, Daddy.” Xavier blinked back the black veil of rage that fell over his vision. Jackson had no right— “Aww, baby,” he heard Jackson say, mockingly, to Finn. “What happened to you? Did Daddy get a little too rough?”

Everything in Xavier went cold, then hot again. He was going to physically remove Jackson from the house if he had to, preferably by way of the window.

Finn let go of his hand and stepped in front of him.

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