the others laughed.

"smart man, gabe. always a hardass in business. but hey, to the victor goes the spoils, eh?" trenton said.

"exactly," gabe replied. "she's a valuable asset and one i have no intention of allowing to slip through my fingers."

mia's face bloomed with color but the pleasure in her eyes was well worth gabe's making the effort to ensure he made it clear he valued mia as an employee.

"if you'll excuse me and mia, i see a few other people i need to say hello to," gabe said smoothly.

he cupped her elbow and steered her away from the group, and started across the room to get them both a drink when he came to a complete stop, his gaze riveted on the doorway. he uttered a curse beneath his breath, but mia heard it, and she glanced up, her brows furrowed. then she followed his gaze to the door and grimaced.

his father had just entered the room, a gorgeous, much younger blonde wrapped securely around his arm. damn it. what was his father doing here? why hadn't he let gabe know so that at least he'd be prepared? after seeing his mother over the weekend and doing all he could to lift her spirits, it angered him to see his father here with his latest arm candy.

mia touched his arm, her face a wreath of sympathy. there was no way to avoid the confrontation. his father had already seen him and was making his way through the crowd in gabe's direction.

"gabe!" his father said, his eyes brightening as he approached. "glad i caught you here. it's been too long since we saw each other last."

"dad," gabe said shortly.

"stella, i'd like you to meet my son, gabe. gabe, this is stella."

gabe nodded curtly but didn't extend a warm greeting. his skin itched and he only wanted to be away from this situation. all he could picture was his mother's face, the sadness in her eyes. the confusion and betrayal she still felt after her husband of thirty-nine years had abruptly left her.

"it's a pleasure," stella said huskily, her gaze drifting with lingering precision over gabe.

"how have you been, son?" his father asked. if he noticed the awkwardness, he didn't react. or maybe he was completely oblivious to all the hurt he'd caused his family by his actions.

"busy," gabe said shortly.

his father waved his arm. "like that's anything new. you should take some time off. take a break. i'd love to have you out to the house. it would be nice to catch up on all that's going on with you."

"what house?"

gabe's voice would have frozen fire.

"oh, i purchased a house in connecticut," his father said airily. "i'd love for you to see it. we could have dinner. are you free any night this week?"

gabe's jaw clenched until it ached. mia softly cleared her throat and then stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face.

"would you like something to drink, mr. hamilton? i'm going to run to the ladies' room a moment, but on my way back i'd be happy to get you and gabe something."

gabe's father looked at her in puzzlement a moment before recognition flared in his eyes. "mia? mia crestwell? is that really you?"

gabe's father had only met her on two occasions, when mia was much younger, and only briefly. he was surprised his father even remembered.

mia nodded. "yes, sir. i'm working for gabe now as his personal assistant."

his father smiled and leaned over to kiss mia's cheek. "my how you've grown up. the last time i saw you was years ago. you've grown into quite a lovely young lady."

"thank you," mia said. "now about that drink?"

"scotch on the rocks," his father said.

"nothing for me," gabe said flatly.

mia sent gabe a look filled with sympathy and then hurried away in the direction of the ladies' room. he couldn't blame her. there was so much tension in the air that it was extremely awkward.

he watched her retreat and realized how much he wanted to be away from this place. in his apartment, behind closed doors, mia in his arms, him losing himself in her over and over.

"so how about that dinner?" his father persisted.