Page 5

Ethan

I can never stand this type of event. Even though it’s a charity gala, most people treat it as an opportunity to show off how well they’re doing, how influential they are, or to try to build business ties with important people.

Back at the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand, I scan the crowd, trying to figure out whether I can slip back to the table without being stopped a dozen times.

Almost all my brothers are here, along with Sierra. When I say brothers, I mean Zayn, Liam, Colt, Aiden and Chase too—we’re not blood, but we’re brothers by choice. And Sierra was our sister long before she became our sister-in-law.

“I’ll be two seconds. I need to check my makeup,” Irina whispers in my ear.

“Sure. I’ll wait here,” I answer, the corner of my mouth lifting a bit.

As always, she’s at my side at events like this, especially the ones where I need a break from desperate businessmen trying to corner me for a chat. More often than not, she steps in before I even have to signal, putting them in their place and reminding them this isn’t the office.

Just as I’m about to turn back to the bar and leave the fuss behind a few minutes while I wait for Irina, Theo walks in—and on his arm is none other than Thalia, his girlfriend.

She steps into the room dressed in a snakeskin-patterned gown that clings to her curves, the deep neckline leaving very little to the imagination. Her long hair falls in soft waves over her shoulders, framing her face perfectly. Her brown eyes shine under the lights, confident and unflinching, while her full lips—painted in bold red lipstick—complete the image of a woman who knows exactly the effect she has the moment she walks into a room.

It’s been over a year since those two became a couple—after one passionate night together and Thalia’s decision to move here and start a relationship with Theo. That’s about all I learned, without even wanting to, from my brothers back when everyone was still shocked at how fast things escalated.

Before she got together with Theo, I was the one pushing all her buttons—sometimes with a biting remark that left her speechless or forced her to come at me with that fiery temper of hers. I always found it entertaining, watching how she lit up around me, how she refused to back down and tried to put me in my place every single time.

After finding out about their relationship, I stopped joking around entirely. In fact, I cut off any kind of interaction with her.

Theo is one of my boys, my brother. He’d been away in Greece for nine months and came back right after Nick’s wedding. We lost contact a little during those months, but he’s part of our tight circle.

And a brother’s woman is off-limits.

Anyone’s woman, really.

With that reminder running through my mind, I force my blood to settle in my veins, telling my cock to calm the fuck down, and I turn away before one of them can catch me looking.

But, of course, luck is not on my side.

“Ethan, fancy seeing you here,” I hear Theo’s voice behind me. “And without a few women practically begging for your attention, circling around you,” he adds with a laugh.

I force a neutral expression and turn to face them, knowing Thalia is standing calmly at his side, composed as always.

“Fuck off, Theo,” I say, giving him a glare. “And try not to draw too much attention. I was having a peaceful moment here alone until you showed up.”

For the first time in a long while, I look directly at the woman next to him. Probably the first time in over a year I’ve done so.

I think it takes her by surprise. She seems off balance for a second, then regains her composure, though she quickly avoids my gaze.

Hmm. Interesting.

“Sorry it took so long,” Irina says, stepping into my personal space and placing her hand lightly on my arm. “Theo, nice to see you,” she adds with a smile.

She doesn’t know Thalia—it must be their first meeting—but I’m not going to be the one to introduce them.

“Irina, it’s great to see you too,” Theo replies warmly. “I don’t think you know each other. This is Thalia.”

And he stops there, giving no title. No my girlfriend, no my woman. Nothing.

Polite and well-mannered, Thalia smiles genuinely at Irina and extends her hand in greeting. The exchange naturally shifts to the evening, the gala, the people attending, and the superficiality surrounding the whole event. I listen, intervening only when necessary, my input expected but minimal.

After fifteen minutes, we move to our table—yes, we’re all seated at the same one.

Theo pulls Thalia’s chair out and sits to her right. Two seats remain open to her left, and Irina is already by the furthest one, deep in conversation with Chris, who sits beside her.