Page 106 of Back in Black

She gave him a questioning look. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”

Trying a roundabout way to get the reply he wanted, Drew asked, “Do you have family here?”

“They’re scattered. I have relatives an hour or so away, some that are out west, a few more to the south.” She shrugged. “We’re all resigned to traveling for visits.”

“So . . . what do you think of Vegas?”

“It’s great for gambling and live shows.” She yawned. “But Drew, we weren’t really there long enough for me to form any new opinions on it.”

“Yeah.” Frustration bit into him. “I’d meant to show you around a little. Dinner, a little nightlife, and then we could have gone to my house there.”

She studied him. “I can see you fitting right in with Los Angeles or Vegas.”

“I always thought so, too, that’s why I have houses in both cities. I like L.A. more, though.” And eventually, he did want to return there. “But it’s not bad here. I came to visit because, well, the fighters seemed to be congregating here.”

She laughed with him. “Once Havoc and Simon set up shop, the others followed?”

“Fighters will always gravitate to the best camps. I like to scope out new talent, so . . .” He shrugged. “Here I am.”

“I’m surprised you bought a house.”

“I like to be comfortable wherever I go.”

“You’re spoiled rotten.” Her grin morphed into another yawn.

He reached for her hand. “I’m damned sorry you got dragged into all this.”

Her smile was a pale imitation of her usual vitality. “I’m a big girl, Drew. I can handle it.”

“But you shouldn’t have to.” Figures that the one time he wanted to impress a woman, he’d instead gotten her fired, brought a lunatic’s revenge down on her, and run her ragged. They stopped at a light, and he turned to look at her. “I’ve been thinking about this mess.”

One brow lifted. “Come to any conclusions?”

“Yeah. We need to do a phone conference.”

The sooner he settled this bullshit, the sooner he could concentrate on getting Gillian enmeshed into his life—on a permanent basis. He didn’t like leaving anything to chance. If he waited too long, she might make plans for moving on without him even knowing it.

“I want to tie in with my Internet guy, some reporters, maybe even ESPN. I want stuff posted all over the Web, in the papers, and on TV if I can manage it.”

“When?”

“Soon as possible. Tonight sometime.”

Slowly, Gillian straightened and turned to him as much as the seat belt would allow. “You can arrange it that quickly?”

He gave her a look. “Yeah, no problem.”

She drew a tired breath. “Is this where I should remind you that Fran said no press conferences?”

“I know what she said, but she’s wrong. The garbage thrown out there about Brett is wrong. The threats are wrong.” He drew a breath. “I’m going to attack Millie Christian worse than she ever thought possible.”

To his surprise, Gillian didn’t shy away from that ferocious suggestion. She pondered it, nodding slowly, and then—she agreed.

“You want to draw her out, right?”

Damn, she was smart. Not much got by Ms. Gillian Noode. “And deflect the focus. If that crazy bitch thought I was harsh last time, she hasn’t seen anything yet. But I won’t lie, Gillian. Every damn word I say about her will be true. And it’ll be enough to bring her to her knees.”

“Or make her crack?”

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