“But you don’t know art,” Jack reminded him.
“Not the point, Jack-ass.”
Jack snickered.
“I don’t know how Ace does it.”
“Maybe you should ask him.”
Maybe he would.
Joker hummed as he slowly made his way around the giant room, which was several rooms with moveable walls. The Saint Gio Charity Tour had officially started. For the next month, Gio had numerous charity events, auctions, brunches, lunches, and dinner meetings in several cities across Florida. None of which was unusual for someone like Gio. Frankly, his calendar wasn’t all that different from Colton’s, but Joker didn’t work Colton’s security. That wasn’t his job. Executive protection wasn’t his job, which was why King had assigned Saint to be Gio’s executive protection. Still, entertainment and events were Joker’s job, which was why he’d agreed to be part of the security team assigned to Gio. For now, anyway.
Gio and King had spoken at length. Although Gio hadn’t decided whether he would hire a permanent security team—he seemed reluctant for some reason he wasn’t divulging—but he agreed to have security for the next month and then reassess with King after that.
Two hours into the charity art exhibit and Joker still didn’t get it. The place was crawling with people who had more money than sense and little finger foods that couldn’t fill up a hamster, some of which looked more decorative than edible. They were all dressed in outrageously expensive clothing, talking about yachts, vacation homes, private jets, celebrities, the latest this or that, portfolios and profiles, and any number of rich-people topics. Admittedly, a few conversations Joker overheard were about helping people, but those usually involved Gio.
How the hell did Ace do this? Mingle with these people, have conversations with them? What the fuck did Ace talk about? He couldn’t imagine Ace’s brand of humor going down well with this crowd. Then again, Ace could be a charming son of a bitch when he wanted to be, and if it was for Colton, Joker didn’t doubt his friend could pull it off. But didn’t it get exhausting?
Joker caught a glimpse of Gio in the middle of a small crowd, his smile wide as he regaled guests with some tale. They were enraptured, hanging on his every word. Shaking his head, Joker continued on his route. Annoying, that’s what it was.
No matter where in the room Gio stood, Joker was aware of his presence. While walking the perimeter, he instinctively sought the man out and found him. But then that was part of his job, wasn’t it, knowing where Gio was? Not that Saint didn’t know where his client was, but still. They were part of a team. It was all their responsibility to be vigilant.
Taking up position by the wall, Joker stood at attention as he surveyed the crowd. It became apparent who the star of the show was, and it wasn’t the art.
Gio stood surrounded by people, all vying for his attention, their smiles wide, eyes focused on his face, and hands on some part of him. The men put a hand to his shoulder or upper arm, while women touched his hand, chest, or arm. Why did he let these people touch him? Then again, Gio appeared genuinely pleased to see them. He took their hands, his handshake firm for the men or a kiss to the back of the hand for the women, his smile always bright.
They laughed at whatever he just said. Nothing about Gio came across as fake. Joker frowned. For years he’d heard stories about this man from Laz, Red, or Colton, about how great Gio was, how he’d spent most of his adult life helping people, giving away vast amounts of money to help others. He’d come off as a saint, and Joker had declared bullshit. No one was that good. Not that he thought Gio was good. Or beautiful. Okay, he needed to stop thinking about the guy.
Was it possible he’d been wrong? Joker quickly shook himself out of it. A few smiles weren’t going to sway him. For all he knew, Gio was an exceptional actor. The man exuded confidence, after all. His smile never faltered, and he seemed to know everyone who approached him.
Goddammit, he was thinking about him again. For fuck’s sake, get your shit together!
That night at Colton’s invaded his thoughts, and he found himself frowning. Gio hadn’t been acting then. Whatever he’d had a nightmare about was real. Something had happened to Gio while out there traveling the globe. Was that why he’d suddenly returned home? Laz clearly didn’t know whatever it was, and Joker had to wonder exactly how much Colton knew.
“My God, the man is gorgeous.”
Joker moved his gaze to a brunet and her male companion who’d stopped near him. They hadn’t noticed him or most likely hadn’t seen Chip at Joker’s left heel. People tended to notice the dog before they noticed the guy wearing the tactical uniform. The dog was the only reason most people didn’t lose their shit. It was the ears. Hard to freak out when faced with a dog that looked like a giant black bunny.
“I know,” the man replied with a groan. He definitely liked what he saw. The way he raked his gaze all over Gio had Joker clenching his jaw. No question what he would do to Gio, given the opportunity. “Filthy rich, handsome, and a good guy? Ugh, I’d never let him leave my bed.”
“You should go talk to him,” his friend said, nudging him.
Joker stiffened. The man undressing Gio with his eyes was stunning—tall, broad-shouldered, golden-blond, big green eyes, a chiseled jaw, and a suit that probably cost more than everything Joker owned.
“Oh, honey, I tried,” the guy lamented. “He was so damned charming when he turned me down, I wasn’t even upset about it. The man has talent.”
“I bet,” his friend purred.
“What about you? You’re a knockout. Why haven’t you snagged him?”
The guy wasn’t wrong. His friend was just as gorgeous. Her ample curves filled the slinky black cocktail dress beautifully. She brushed her big soft curls away from her slender neck and pouted plump red lips. “You think I haven’t tried? No luck either.”
“You think he has someone?”
Joker listened intently, though he knew there was no one in Gio’s life.
Except you.
Joker rolled his eyes at himself, though he couldn’t help his smirk. He lifted his gaze to the crowd at the very moment Gio looked his way. Their eyes met, and Gio’s smile turned soft.
“He never talks about his personal life,” the brunet replied and shrugged. “Who knows?”
Was it possible? All these rich, beautiful people and Gio wanted him? Why?
A striking man in a flashy tuxedo stepped up behind Gio. He placed a hand to Gio’s shoulder, but instead of turning and smiling as Joker expected, Gio stiffened, his smile dropping from his face. He turned toward the man, his smile back in place, but this time it didn’t reach his eyes. Joker spotted Saint near Gio, but Saint didn’t know Gio the way Joker did. He didn’t see the rigid way Gio held himself, the subtle tension in his jaw, and the way he quickly took a step back, forcing the man’s hand off his shoulder.
Joker had been observing Gio since his return almost nine months ago in an attempt to figure the guy out. By now he was all too familiar with Gio’s quirks—when he was genuinely happy to see someone, when he was simply being polite, or when he was uncomfortable and wanted the asshole in front of him to get gone.
Gio shoved his fists into his pants pockets, something Joker had noticed Gio did when he was anxious around someone. Joker didn’t hesitate. He made his way through the crowd, and everyone moved out of his and Chip’s way. Some looked startled, as if seeing him for the first time, while others seemed amused, their smiles and gazes on Chip. Seeing Joker heading for Gio had Saint on the move, and he stood behind Gio to his right while Joker stopped behind Gio just to his left. He caught part of the quiet argument.