Afterburn

going, but Jax had guessed.
    And sure enough, he made a beeline toward us with Stacy. My mom got in their way, her smile wide as ever but proverbial feathers ruffled in full mother-hen mode.
    I looked at Chad. “We could sneak out the back.”
    He laughed, but his eyes were hard.
    Angelo came over. “Is he meeting you?” he asked, jerking his head toward Jax.
    “No...” I looked at Chad. “They don’t have to sit with us.”
    “Good.” He sat back, glaring. “Talk about keeping the wrong company. Stace can go ahead with Ian’s deal, if she wants. I’m sticking with you and the Mondego.”
    “All right.” Angelo looked at me. “I’ll make sure they’re seated somewhere else.”
    I took a gulp of my wine as my brother walked away.
    Chad studied me for a moment. “He has your back.”
    “That’s the Rossi way.”
    “Stace and I used to be like that. Before Ian showed up.”
    “Really?” I tried to ignore the sensation of Jax’s gaze. I could feel him looking our way. “What happened?”
    He shrugged. “Hell if I know. It all went to her head. I don’t even know if she thinks about the food anymore. She’s too busy trying to be rich and famous.”
    My mom came by with more wine, setting her hand on my shoulder as she refilled our glasses. I felt the gentle press of her beautifully manicured nails and heard the silent question: Are you okay?
    I set my hand over hers and squeezed, answering. I wasn’t okay, but what I could say? I wouldn’t give Jax the satisfaction of refusing him service and neither would my family. He’d get excellent food, our best server and complimentary wine of his choice.
    They’d pull out all the stops. Kill him with kindness. Show him that we weren’t petty and small. But oh, what it would cost us. All of us. My safe place felt invaded, his potent energy permeating the space and my senses. Every nerve tingled with awareness.
    Lori, one of the waitstaff, came over to take our order. Chad and I decided to split the pasta for two. All through the appetizer and salad courses, I was expecting Jax to come over. I was terribly aware of him, unable to give Chad the attention I’d been able to before. He was subdued, too, his gaze staying firmly on his food or on my face, both of us studiously avoiding looking at other patrons.
    In my mind, I was certain Jax was having a wonderful time just to spite me. Why was he taking Stacy out when she was Ian’s latest fling? Or was she freely available to both of them? After all, she’d showed no hesitation and a lot of pleasure in kissing Jax’s cheek when he first showed up.
    Just before the main course was served, Chad excused himself to go to the bathroom, and I checked my smartphone. I’d missed a call from Lei. When Chad came back with a beer in hand, I smiled and said, “I’ll be right back.”
    I headed toward the bathrooms, but ducked into the back office instead, closing out the noise when I shut the door behind me. I speed-dialed Lei and set the phone to my ear.
    “Gianna,” she answered. “I have to applaud you for your choice in men.”
    “Can I pick ’em or what?” I walked over to the far wall where a family portrait hung. I’d been around twelve years old in the picture with braces on my teeth and wild hair. Nico, Vincent and Angelo had been varying degrees of gangly. My dad was immortalized in his prime, as was my mother, who’d aged little since. “How’d it go?”
    “As expected. You guessed right, by the way. Jackson said he’s stepped in as a favor for someone.”
    “I haven’t had a chance to dig for more details, I’m sorry—I’ve been with Chad since I left—but it’s probably a Rutledge. When Jackson’s not gambling with millions, he’s cleaning up after family members à la Olivia Pope.” And dating beautiful women... “As for Chad, he’s on board, but I think we’d be wise to get a new contract drawn up ASAP before something happens to change his mind. Jax isn’t going home gracefully. He crashed the dinner hour at Rossi’s, bringing Stacy along for the show.”
    Lei laughed. “I’m sorry, but I like him.”
    My mouth quirked ruefully. “Happens.”
    “Ian called.”
    “Oh? How’d that go?”
    “He asked if I’d see him tonight.”
    “Ah. Maybe that’s why Jax has Stacy. Babysitting duty.” Irritatingly, that filled me with relief.
    “Could be. I said no in any case. I feel like our men are circling the wagons, which means we need to keep doing what we’re