Page 17 of Dex

Enzo excuses himself, mumbling something about needing food, and Zach follows him.

I nod, pretending like I’m fine.

That leaves me alone with Rio and the rude one, who suddenly turns to me.“You’re not here to discuss global expansion and emerging markets with my father, are you?”

“Oh, Dexter,” I say, offering a coquettish laugh that I try hard to make sound believable.It’s evident that he thinks I’m an airhead.“I can absolutely talk about that, if you’d prefer.I work inBrand Strategy and Corporate Communications, and part of that involves managing advertising campaigns and staying competitive in all markets.”

“I’m more interested in what brings you here,” Dexter says.“Did my father contact you?”

He doesn’t waste any time getting straight to the point.Why would he ask me this?It’s obvious that these guys aren’t keen on their father, which makes me worry.How can anyone not like their father?I love mine with all my heart, which is why I’m willing to sacrifice my happiness for him.

One son not liking Paul Knight, I can understand.But two sons?All of them?None of them seem to like this man.I must guard myself against their father.I must remain vigilant, because if six of his sons don’t care much for him, there must be a good reason.

“No,” I reply, thankful that this is the truth.

“You just got on the plane and decided to come here?To do what?To convince Jett to change his mind?”There’s an edge to his voice that I don’t like.I don’t think I can come clean and tell him why I’m here.This was supposed to be a formal introduction for me, as Paul Knight said, an easier way for me to meet his sons, but it looks like they’ve all figured it out and are angry.

Not just with their father, but with me.

“It was nothing like that,” I say calmly.

“His mind’s pretty well made up,” Dexter snarls.“Don’t think you wearing that dress will get him to—”

“Calm down, Dex,” Rio says.“Don’t be an ass.”

“Let her answer,” says Dexter.

I wish Raquel were by my side.She’d know how to handle these boys.She’d have verbally whipped them and hung them out to dry by now.

I give the rude one a pointed stare.“I have no intention of trying to convince anyone.And as for your oldest brother, I have absolutely no interest, because that deal never even got off the ground.We’ve never even spoken prior to this evening.”

Dexter’s face twists.“Jett was in Bermuda over the summer, having the time of his life with his assistant.”

“That’s information I don’t need to know.”My face feels hot.My insides hard and heavy.I need to get away from this man.I pity the woman who ends up with him.

“Dex.”Rio shakes his head.“I’m sorry,” he says to me.“Dex can get a bit …angrysometimes.For no reason at all, usually.”

“I apologize,” Dexter says gruffly.He looks at me for a beat and I can’t read his expression.I don’t know what to make of this man.He hasn’t fallen at my feet.Thankfully.And he’s been openly hostile.I don’t understand him.And now, to confuse the situation further, he apologizes.Something I never saw coming.

I’m starting to see this man as an enigma.Turns out, I love a good challenge.“Apology accepted.”

“I’m protective of my brothers.”He waves his bottle at me, and I see a rare smile.The anxiety that’s been tying my insides into knots, eases.I like that he’s protective of his brothers, and taking that into consideration, I don’t blame him for getting angry with this situation.Maybe a lot of his nastiness stems from his father?Maybe I’m not the one he’s angry with.

I’m tempted to ask him about his family, to see if I can get some nugget of information, something that they aren’t telling me.Information that I haven’t seen online.

“How come someone like you hasn’t met anyone?”he asks.I like that.He’s trying to get to know me, and he’s asking all the important questions.Meanwhile, Rio’s staring at me like I’m the eighth wonder of the world, and I feel self-conscious again.

“Dude, get a drink,” Dexter tells him.Rio gives me a disarming smile and a side eye at his brother before leaving.

“You were going to tell me why you haven’t met anyone,” Dexter prompts.

I like that he’s curious.That he isn’t taking me at face value.“I’ve been more focused on work.”

“No boyfriends?”

“Not at the moment.I dated while in college, here in the US, but nothing serious.”

“You studied here?”

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