Page 114 of A Dark Duet

“Is he okay? What he needs is proper therapy so he can avoid an injury. He trains nonstop and doesn’t rest.”

“He is stubborn, and Nate is tired of telling him the same thing, but Jaden is persistent. He is also pissed about you and Ethan.”

Giselle goes on a rant about Ethan being a danger to me because of his underground dealings. She has a point but I assured her there is nothing between Ethan and me.

“Why is he pissed?”

Giselle smirks. “He knows you fucked him. You can tell when you two arrived at the fundraiser.” She gives me a toothy grin and gives me a playful shove. “The camera doesn’t lie. It was clear he fucked the shit out of you right before you arrived that night. You guys couldn’t wait until after?”

I sip the cocktail and swallow with a grimace. “It was more like I was horny, pissed off and sat on his cock.”

“Jesus, Brie. Really?”

I nod. “I was pissed off and my head was all over the place. At the time, I was alone. Then pictures of Jaden with random girls after every fight popped in my head. I was angry at myself and with him and I took it out on having sex with Ethan. It was an opportunity to blow off steam and I took it. It was before Jaden showed up at the club. You know it takes a while for the media to air stuff on T.V.”

“I’m sure he was happy to oblige.”

Waving my hand, I tell her the truth, “It didn’t mean anything. It was just sex.”

Giselle giggles. “Was it good?”

My eyes light up. “It was crazy and rough, but nothing compared to Jaden. Don’t get me wrong, Ethan is hot as hell, but Jaden is on another level entirely. I have to tell Ethan what I want and how I want it, not with Jaden. Jaden knows what I need and how I need it. I never have to ask or give him instructions.

“Just be careful. Jaden is crazy jealous and he wants you back, Brie. He wants you in his life and he will go to war with Ethan if he has to. Let’s just hope Ethan gets the memo, and it was a one-time thing.”

“Ethan loves his dead wife and I’m not in love with him. There is nothing to worry about. The poor guy just needed to get laid and so did I. I haven’t had sex in the three years since Jaden. While Jaden has fucked God knows how many women. He wasn’t worried about me when his dick was getting wet. He can stick his jealousy up his ass.”

“I know you are going to make this difficult for Jaden and it serves him right, I guess. Just remember… Jaden doesn’t like to lose, and he never gives up without a fight.”

Giselle’s phone rings, interrupting our conversation, and she picks up. She listens and then gazes at me with a frown. “Okay, we will be right there.”

She hangs up and I look at her with deep concern. “What happened?”

“That was Nate. He said he is at the gym with Jaden because he hurt his shoulder and his fight is this weekend. Brie, he is in a lot of pain.”

“Shit. Let’s go,” I say, rising from my seat quickly.

I take out my phone and call Zavier, looking around at the lounge we are at. He said he was going to talk to one of his buddies from camp on the other side of the lounge but I can’t see where he went. My eyes are scanning for him everywhere.

He picks up on the fourth ring. “Hello?”

“Zavier, it’s Briana. Listen, I have to go with Giselle, she has an emergency.”

“Is everything okay? Do you need my help?” My eyes soften at how sweet he is.

“Nothing we can’t handle. Are you good? I’m so sorry I had to leave so suddenly.”

“It is all good. Is Giselle okay to drive?”

Scanning the table, I see that we haven’t even finished a drink halfway. “We didn’t even finish the first one. We are good.”

“Okay, but you have to promise for us to hang out again. I want you to meet my friend at camp.”

I smile. “You got it, Zavier.”

“See you soon, beautiful,” he says and the call disconnects.

I glance at Giselle, and she is on the phone again. “Where?” she asks.

---