Page 21 of His Custody

Also, she didn’t feel like being a grown-up tonight. Let them coddle and pet her, treat her like a child. It would be easier to handle.

Drinks in hand, they braced themselves to mingle. She stuck close to Jasper, but not touching, no matter how badly she wanted to reach out and take his hand as people attempted to make small talk.

He was so good at this, his tension only showing through a vein across his temple and the tightening of his fingers around his glass when people were being rude. He’d silence them with a sharp word and she’d let her mind wander because he’d deal with anything that came her way.

After a second Shirley Temple, she excused herself to a well-appointed bathroom, locking herself in for longer than necessary. A breath. She needed a breath. She half expected a knock on the door, Gavin’s voice on the other side because she’d been gone too long. “Are you okay, Tiki?”

Her chin trembled, she closed her eyes, and she wished with all her heart she’d be going home with Gavin at the end of the night. They’d laugh together in his bed about Geneva Swan’s ridiculous dress and speculate about the glances between Sylvia Moses and Rick Norton. Were they doing it? She totally thought they were doing it.

But she wouldn’t be climbing into bed with Gavin. She reached for the star on her bracelet and worried it between her fingers. It helped. It helped to think Jasper might not come as quickly as Gavin, because he didn’t need her like Gavin had, but Jasper would come for her. He would find her if she needed him.

***

Jasper’s eyes flitted over the collected company, the women preening like birds of paradise and the men strutting around like peacocks. He couldn’t wait to get out of this upper-class aviary. He’d do his duty rounds and then get Keyne home. She’d been doing well here, better than he’d expected, and he didn’t want to push her too hard. Most of the guests had been sensitive, but not all, and he’d like this to end on a positive note so she’d be willing to do it again sometime. As much as he shared the impulse, he wasn’t going to let them hole up in his house and never leave.

That would be A) unhealthy, and B) fodder for the rumor mill. He was about to excuse himself from his present flock of company when Talbot Thurston leaned down. “You looking for your lucky charm?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your eyes have barely left Keyne O’Connell’s ass all evening. Not that I blame you. She’s a tight little piece. Was always jealous of your brother for getting to tap that. Bet that was a fun cherry to pop.”

Heat rose in Jasper’s cheeks and he held the glass so tight in his hand it might shatter. He was about to put his fist through Talbot’s florid face, but Talbot couldn’t shut up. One of the many reasons Jasper’d never cared for him.

“But you’ve got your sloppy seconds now. Bill must’ve owed you even more money than he owed me for you to end up with that trophy in your case. She any—”

“What did you say?” The comments about Keyne were inflammatory, but he’d ask about the money before he punched the guy in the throat.

“She any good?”

The guy was a pig. A disgusting, vile pig. “No, you prick. How much did Bill owe you?”

Talbot held up three fingers and Jasper relaxed. “For fuck’s sake, Talbot, three grand? That’s chump change. I’ll write you a fucking check.”

Talbot was an arrogant, misogynistic ass, but Jasper had never known him to be stingy. Three grand could’ve been table stakes if the boys were feeling spendy. Ridiculous he would bring that shit up here, now, and pull Keyne into it. But Talbot scoffed. “I should’ve made myself more clear: threehundredgrand.”

Fuck. Why the hell would Bill O’Connell owe Talbot Thurston three hundred grand? He knew the O’Connells had some debts, but it hadn’t looked that dire. Deja had settled a bunch of their accounts with some money from his parents’ estate so the O’Connells’ creditors would keep their mouths shut and exactly what kind of financial trouble they had been in wouldn’t headline cocktail party chatter. This wasn’t pocket change, either. They were starting to talk real money.

“Why should I believe you?”

“Why shouldn’t you? I know you’re not the president of my fan club or anything, but have you ever known me to be a liar?”

No, he had to admit he hadn’t. A crass shitstain, sure, but Talbot wasn’t a con man. He didn’t have the temperament for it. And he couldn’t say that about everyone milling around Bunny’s home.

“Plus, it’s not like I need the money.” Talbot shot him a self-satisfied grin and it took everything Jasper had not to knock his teeth down his throat. Yes, he’d heard Talbot’s latest venture had done very well when his company went public last month. But he’d been a little busy to congratulate him on it.

“You’ll have it.”

Jasper downed the rest of his scotch and made a move to the bar, cocking his head to indicate Talbot should join him. When they got there, Jasper didn’t stop, but kept walking down an empty hall and Talbot followed. When they were away from the crowds, Talbot volunteered, “Or you know, you could just give me a few nights with the girl and we’ll call it—”

Jasper’s hand around Talbot’s throat slammed him up against the wall and cut off the rest of whatever filth he was going to spew.

“You’ll get your money, Talbot, no problem. But if you ever say another word about Keyne O’Connell or even look at her sideways, you and I are going to have a big problem. Keep your filthy mind out of her pants and your wandering eyes off of her. She is not for sale. Not to you, not to anyone. Do you understand me?”

The bulging eyes and the hands clawing at his ironclad grip should have been confirmation enough, but Jasper wanted to hear him say it. He loosened the chokehold and after Talbot dragged a few breaths, the man sputtered, “Possessive of your new toy, are you?”

Slamwent the back of Talbot’s head into the wall and Jasper spoke slowly and clearly while the other man struggled for air. “Did I not make myself clear? Keyne is not currency. She’s a person, a kid. If you say another word I will do everything and anything in my power to make the rest of your life a misery. You know I’m capable.”

Jasper let up then because Talbot was looking blue. Lack of oxygen would do that to a person.

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