Page 111 of After Midnight
“Oh… there he is,” Devon’s voice cut through everything.
My head turned before I could stop it. And that’s when I saw her. Remy was walking toward the table with his hand wrapped around hers.
Gianna.
MyGianna.
Her steps slowed just slightly but I caught it. Her eyes locked on me and went wide for a second before she recovered quickly. Too quick for anybody else to notice—but not me.
My breath hitched, chest tightening as my fingers clenched harder around my glass.
What the fuck? She looked…different. Not in how she looked but how she carried herself. Softer. More open.
Remy smiled, completely unaware, as he stepped up to the table. “Everyone, this is Gianna,” he introduced her proudly.
My eyes stayed locked on her. Trying to read everything in that split second.
She didn’t look at me again right away. “Hi,” she greeted warmly. “It’s so nice to meet you all.”
Her voice…that damn voice that had been haunting me. That calm, smooth tone that used to wrap around me while I was pushing inside her—
"Pleasure to meet you." Devon shook her hand warmly. "You've made a helluva impression on my frat brother, Gianna." He glanced up at Remy. "Treat him right. He's one of the good ones."
Gianna looked over at him with a smile, touching his arm. "Always."
Shelby leaned forward. “Girl, your dessert is life changing.”
Gianna laughed softly. “I’m glad you like it. Unfortunately, I can't take credit for it.” She rested her hand on his chest.
Remy rested his hand at the small of her back, smiling down at her. I could see it all over his face—she had him hooked. My jaw clenched involuntarily.
"And this is Bishop and his wife Eva," Remy introduced.
Gianna’s eyes flicked to mine again, briefly and controlled. Like we were strangers and my dick wasn't deep inside her only a few weeks ago.
"Nice to meet you, Gianna," Eva spoke first.
"You as well," she replied softly before her eyes glanced back at me quickly. "And…you too, Bishop,"
I smirked slightly. “Nice to meet you too." I held her gaze.
The tension sat there—thick—invisible to everybody else but loud as hell between us. After a few more words, they said theirgood-byes and walked off. I forced my eyes not to not trail behind her. To not settle on that body which I had memorized in my dreams.
That shit was weird. Out of all the places in the city—she ended up right here.
With me.
Almost like…fate.
I leaned back in my seat, dragging my tongue along the inside of my cheek as my eyes dropped to the table. I don't know…maybe this meant me and Gianna weren't done just yet.
Chapter 27
"You keep popping up like this beautiful and I'ma have to put you on payroll," I said to Gianna as we closed out dinner service for the evening.
We had been spending a lot more time together and I was loving every minute of it. The more time she spent with me and Melo, the less she spent at the brothel. She was close to leaving—I could feel it.
She was seeing what the other side of life could be with a man who offered her stability, security, and love. I just needed to stay the course and she would all mine. Right where she belonged.
