Page 97 of Double or Nothing

She won’t give in. Well, sweetheart, neither will I.

“Oh, it’s more than that.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.” She chuckles. “There is only one thing Sutton loves, and that’s his career.”

Following suit, I let out a laugh.

“Clearly, you don’t know him as well as you think you do.”

“Believe me, I know every piece of him… including that birthmark on his inner thigh. The one you can only see when you’re… up close and personal.”

I don’t need details to know what she’s implying.

“Knowing Sutton and fucking him are two completely different things. I’m the only one who has ever gotten to do both.”

Mac returns, and based on the look on his face, he doesn’t look pleased to see Val standing next to me.

“Val, I thought you were gone.”

“After my chat with Sutton the other day, how could I just leave?” Batting her eyelashes at Mac is more for my benefit than his.

Mac doesn’t seem phased by the woman. He looks more hardened and on guard.

“Maybe because he told you to?”

I breathe a little easier. Having Mac as backup makes the woman less intimidating. She isn’t an issue because I’m concerned Sutton wants her, but because of what she said the other day. The fear her words instilled in me, that I would be the reason his career falls apart, is still fresh in my mind… and my heart.

She knows it. While she might look at Mac and argue with him, every word she says is directed at me.

“Someone needs to look out for Sutton’s best interest. Someone needs to make sure he doesn’t destroy everything he has worked for. Apparently, I’m the only one who cares enough to let him know what a fool he would be to pass up an opportunity like this.”

Mac is about to respond, but I cut him off.

“Do you care about his happiness at all?” I already know the answer—the truthful answer. To her, he’s nothing but a good lay and a paycheck. “If you did, you would know his heart is here in Vegas.”

“Then why did he refuse to come here for five years?” Hands on her hips and a smile on her face, she thinks she has me.

“He needed to leave to become the man he is today, and now, he’s back.” I step toward her. “And I have no intention of letting him go again. So, whatever you’re after, wherever you think you’re going to send him, know this. I will be by his side every step of the way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a show to watch.”

Mac tells her she needs to go, and if she doesn’t leave, he’ll remove her… personally.

With Liz in tow, I step closer to the stage. Even though I can hear them behind me, I ignore what’s going on and let Mac do his thing. It’s his job, what he’s good at. I just want to just watch Sutton shine and support him.

When our eyes meet again, the pure joy that radiates off of both of us is undeniable.

“You two are so disgustingly cute,” Liz gushes.

“You okay?” Mac asks.

“Yep.”

“I don’t know what he told you about Val, but—”

“He told me what I need to know. There’s nothing between them anymore.”

“If you ask me, there never was. Not with Val, not with anyone. Everyone was just a placeholder until he could get back to you.”

“You don’t have to convince me, you know. I’m in.”

---