Rush

dinner tomorrow night,” she said cheekily.
    He grimaced. “Can we do it the next night? Ash and I have this thing. Part of the
     reason we’re back early. Investor dinner. Boring as hell. Lots of ass kissing.”
    “Okay,
that’s
a date,” she said. “And you’re not getting out of it.”
    “Bet your ass. It’s a date. After work, run home and change if you want and I’ll pick
     you up at your apartment.”
    Then he frowned.
    “How are you getting to and from work anyway?”
    She was careful to make her voice casual, like it was perfectly normal for Gabe to
     provide transportation for her. “Gabe sends a car for me and has it bring me home.”
    She conveniently left off the part about them leaving work together most of the time
     and of her spending the nights at Gabe’s apartment. Now that Jace was back, they were
     going to be forced to be a great deal more circumspect. He’d flip out if he knew what
     went on behind closed doors between her and Gabe.
    Jace nodded. “Okay good. Don’t want you walking or taking the subway.” He checked
     his watch and then angled his gaze at her. “Do you know what time Gabe is due back?
     Where the hell is he for that matter? I thought his calendar was clear today.”
    “He, uh, left with his dad. Not sure when he’s getting back, or if.”
    Jace grimaced. “Say no more. That’s a fucked-up situation.”
    And Jace didn’t even know the half of it.
    He reached over and tousled her hair. “I’ll let you get back to work. Gabe’s a hardass
     to work for. I hope you know what you’regetting yourself into. Maybe we should have put you to work for Ash. He has a huge
     soft spot for you.”
    She laughed. “I’ll be fine. Stop worrying. Don’t you and Ash have someone else to
     pester?”
    “Yeah, investors,” Jace muttered. “Take care, baby girl. I’ll look forward to our
     dinner. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
    As soon as he left Gabe’s office, she sagged in relief. Her pulse was beating a mile
     a minute and she leaned forward, putting her face in her hands. That had gone better
     than expected.
    • • •
    When Gabe got out of the car at his office building, he hadn’t taken three steps toward
     the entrance when Jace came out, a deep frown on his face. It was obvious that he’d
     evidently been waiting on Gabe.
Shit.
He wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow. He hoped to hell Mia had handled things
     well between her and Jace. But judging by the look on his friend’s face, whatever
     it was she’d said or how she’d explained the situation hadn’t satisfied him.
    “We need to talk,” Jace said curtly when Gabe drew abreast of him.
    “Okay,” Gabe said calmly. “What’s up? Problems in California?”
    “Don’t play dumb with me. It just pisses me off. You know good and damn well why I
     met you out here.”
    “Mia,” Gabe said with a sigh.
    “No shit. What the hell is going on, Gabe? Any reason you didn’t tell me of your plan
     to hire my little sister?”
    “I’m not having this conversation with you on the street,” Gabe bit out.
    “My office will do,” Jace said.
    Gabe nodded and the two men reentered the building and got on the elevator. There
     were several others in with them and theyremained silent as they rode up to their floor. When they got off, Gabe followed Jace
     into his office just down the hall from his own.
    Jace shut the door behind him and then paced to the window before turning to stare
     at Gabe. “Well?”
    “I don’t understand what you’re pissed about,” Gabe said mildly. “I told you I saw
     her at the grand opening. She was looking for you. I danced with her, we talked, I
     told her to get her ass into my office the next morning, and then I sent her home
     in a car.”
    “You could have filled me in on those developments. Hell, I saw you the same morning
     you told Mia to come into your office.”
    Gabe nodded. “But I had no idea how she’d respond to my offer. No sense getting you
     worked up if she refused. I don’t need your permission to hire a personal assistant.”
    Jace’s expression darkened. “No, but you damn well need my permission where it concerns
     Mia. She’s mine, Gabe. All I have left. The only family I have left and I’ll protect
     her with my dying breath. She’s not in your league.”
    “Oh for God’s sake. I’m not some heartless bastard who’s going to skin her alive.
     I’ve watched her grow up too, Jace. I’m not going to be mean to