at Gio. “Don’t call me that.”
“What are you doing here?” Gio asked softly.
“I’m here because you got yourself shot, asshole.” Why the hell did the guy look so amused? He’d just been shot. Fucking Gio.
“Why do you say that so accusatory?”
“What happened?” Joker demanded.
Gio cocked his head to one side, his lips quirked up in the corner. “Someone shot at me.”
Sweet Jesus, give me strength. “And someone’s about to shoot at you again,” Joker hissed. “What the fuck happened?”
A weary sigh escaped Gio, and Joker’s anger subsided despite his better judgment. It was only then that Joker noticed the dark circles and harsh lines. Gio was exhausted. No. Nope. You are not going to feel bad for him. He’s an asshole, remember?
“The truth is, I don’t know what happened. One minute Nia and I were leaving the bus, the next minute someone screamed and I saw the gun. I pulled Nia behind me and felt my arm burn. By then the man had been tackled to the ground. I’ve never seen him before in my life, and believe me, I have an excellent memory when it comes to people.” The heat in his eyes told Joker exactly which memories he was revisiting. Not that Joker thought about that night backstage. Nope. Not ever.
Don’t meet his gaze. Don’t look him in the eye. It’s a trap, and you know it.
Joker’s jaw muscles tightened. Fuck that. He was no coward. Defiantly, he lifted his chin and met Gio’s gaze. A slow, wicked smile spread across those full lips, and Gio took a step closer. He stood looming over Joker and leaned in, his lips next to Joker’s ear. His breath was hot, his words a low, sultry purr.
“I was hoping you’d come for me.”
Fuck.
Two
Sacha was worried.
Gio didn’t dare smile at the thought. Not when faced with the explosive whirlwind and contradictory force of nature that was Sacha Wilder. The man captivated him. From Sacha’s first growl, he’d been struck. Why? At first, he hadn’t been certain, but the more Gio interacted with Sacha, the more he wanted to know him, talk to him, be around him. Gio had never met anyone so… passionate, so expressive, so damned honest.
When Laz had told Gio about the Kings’ charity bachelor auction, Gio had asked his brother if Sacha would be one of the bachelors. At Laz’s confirmation that he would be, Gio spent an obscene amount of money to not only make sure he was there that night, but that he’d have the winning bid. No way was he losing out on an opportunity with Sacha Wilder. It was the first time they’d met face-to-face, and oh! What a face. Gio had been swept away.
The man’s online photos didn’t do him justice. Mainly because there wasn’t one photo where Sacha wasn’t growling, scowling, or glaring. The intensity in his eyes, his intimidating stance, and the set of his jaw screamed, “Danger! Approach with caution!” Yet Gio couldn’t seem to keep away.
That night at the auction, in a moment of shock when Sacha had stared up at Gio, every stunning feature had been on display. Bright, sharp blue-gray eyes, the most expressive eyebrows Gio had ever seen, a heart-shaped face, cupid-bow lips, stubble, and tousled honey-colored hair. His personality made him larger than life, but physically, he was petite and slender, with a body that appeared better suited to a dancer than a soldier. He was absolutely beautiful.
Sacha’s lips had parted ever so slightly, revealing a minor imperfection Gio found charming. His two top front teeth were ever so slightly longer than the rest. With Sacha’s defenses momentarily down, Gio had said hello, placed his fingers under Sacha’s chin, and kissed his flushed cheek. His sharp intake of breath, his blown pupils, and more importantly, the slip of vulnerability had sealed the deal for Gio. In that heartbeat, he’d made his decision.
Sacha Wilder needed to be his.
“Are you fucking listening to me?”
“Always,” Gio replied with a smile.
Sacha grunted. “Why are you so annoying?”
“Why are you so delightful?”
“You know what the worst part is? Most guys would say that and I’d know they were fucking with me, but you actually mean it.”
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”
“Hence why you’re annoying.” Sacha snorted. “I’m a lot of things, pal, but believe me, delightful is not one of them.”
Gio chuckled. “If you say so. The answer to your question is none. I have no security detail.” He shrugged. “Why would I need security?”
Sacha’s eyebrows flew up, and he