All Bets Are On by Cynthia Cooke Page B

wasn’t clear was whether Minos was smart enough to heed it.
    Minos eyed him with curiosity. “Is this girl any different from the others?”
    Apparently he wasn’t smart enough. Hell yes, she was different. She was more genuine. More honest. But it was more than that—she also seemed more vulnerable.
    “I mean other than the fact that you lost your bet?” Minos grinned.
    Derek stared at him. So Deirdre hadn’t let on that she’d found Jaclyn in his hotel room that morning. He wondered why not. What was his dear sister up to now? “Don’t rub it in,” he shot back, not wanting to let on just how wonderful a night he’d had. Not yet, anyway.
    “Okay, is there anything we should know about this girl?” Minos pressed.
    “We? What’s this we shit? You got a mouse in your pocket?” Why was he pushing this?
    Minos didn’t say anything, just stared at him, his eyebrows raised. “Okay, so she’s different.”
    “Maybe she is. Maybe she isn’t. Either way I don’t want you interfering.”
    “Geez, Boss. I was just hoping a little slap and tickle would make you a happy boy. You need to lighten up a little.”
    Derek leaned real close. “Stay out of it. You got that, or you won’t be seeing the light of day for a very long time.”
    “Oh, I got it, Boss. Got it loud and clear.” Minos snickered, turned away, and left the bar. Derek hoped this would be the last he saw of him tonight. He’d already caused enough problems for one day. The snake really needed to get a life.
    Derek got the wine and scotch, then headed back to Jaclyn. She was talking with Noah Wells, whom they’d met the night before. “They should have our table ready. Can I steal you away from all these prying eyes?”
    “Absolutely,” she said with a smile that almost had him forgetting his annoyance at Minos. “Thanks again, Noah,” she said, and stuck a check into her purse. “I will make sure my partner sends you a receipt right away.”
    “Another donation?”
    “Yep, and a good one.” She grinned, and he was thankful to the man for putting a smile on her face, yet at the same time irritated that it was someone other than him who’d done it. He led her out of the ballroom and into the terrace dining room. As they passed through the room, he saw his mother sitting at a table with his sister and Sabine. Seeing them there, their heads together, co-conspirators, set his teeth on edge. He glared at his mother and tried not to look at Sabine, but his gaze met hers anyway. He’d been angry when she’d left, angry that she took the decision for their relationship out of his hands. Angry that she didn’t discuss it with him first after everything they’d been through and all that they’d lost. And at the same time, he’d been relieved enough not to go after her.
    Her eyes, a deep violet purple, beseeched him, and he felt…nothing. He led Jaclyn past without stopping. Whatever his mother was up to, ignoring her for the time being was the best policy. He was tired of her interfering in his life, always complaining, always criticizing, always wanting more.
    To hell with her. She was not going to dictate who he saw in his personal life.
    He seated Jaclyn, noticing with pleasure how deep her cleavage went from this angle. He pushed her chair in behind her, instantly appreciating the sweet scent of her perfume.
    “So what is your job tonight?” she asked as he sat across from her.
    He almost choked. “Excuse me?”
    “Last night, you needed to accomplish something with Fredricks, was it? What is your job tonight?”
    If she only knew his main job right then was her foundation and discovering who was stealing from it.
    “No one in particular. Just info gathering.” He picked up his menu.
    “Then why are we here? More importantly, why am I here with you?”
    He set the menu down. “You almost sound like you’d rather not be here with me.”
    “Do I?” she asked, her tone implying that’s exactly how she felt.
    “Don’t you?