Ethan Roscente's cigarette burned halfway between his fingers. He lifted his gaze to Gavin Valentine, his voice low. "All I remember is lying on the floor and Jenna Roland slamming the door on her way out. Everything before that is a blank."

Gavin's eyes widened in disbelief.

What kind of excuse was this? A drunken blackout? But Ethan had been conscious. How could he not remember anything?

Wait—Ethan said he fell. Did he trip on his own, or did Jenna push him?

If it was the latter, something must have happened to provoke Jenna's fury. Or... had Ethan crossed a line while drunk?

Either scenario would explain Jenna's current attitude.

Gavin sighed and pulled a cigarette from Ethan's pack.

Leaning back into the leather sofa, he took a deep drag and exhaled a slow stream of smoke. "Man, you're in deep trouble."

Ethan remained silent, mechanically repeating the motion of smoking.

Gavin stubbed out his cigarette and turned to him. "Want me to test the waters for you?"

"Fine."

The immediate answer nearly made Gavin choke on his smoke.

This guy really had no shame.

Whatever. He was family. Gavin resigned himself and stood. "Stay out of sight. I'll call Jenna out to talk. I can't just barge into your bedroom—"

Before he could finish, Ethan was already striding toward the door.

Gavin's lips twitched as he watched him leave, then turned toward the master bedroom.

"Jenna, it's Gavin," he said softly, knocking. "Can we talk?"

Inside the bedroom, Jenna had just lain down when the knock came.

She opened the door, confirming Ethan wasn't in the living room before asking coldly, "What do you want, Mr. Valentine?"

"Let's talk in the living room." Gavin motioned for her to follow.

Once seated, he cut straight to the point. "What happened between you and Ethan at the club's private room?"

Jenna's brows furrowed slightly. "Why do you ask?"

"You've been ignoring him since you got back, and the pickup mission was a failure. I need to know why."

"Nothing happened." Jenna met his gaze, her expression eerily calm, but an icy aura radiated from her.

Gavin gave a wry smile. "You really expect me to believe that?"

Jenna pressed her lips together. "He lost his balance and fell on me. That's all."

Gavin rubbed his forehead.

Even a three-year-old wouldn't buy that flimsy excuse.

"Jenna, we're adults. You don't have to tell him, but you can tell me the truth."

How could she admit that Ethan had called another woman's name while kissing her? The humiliation was too much to voice.

"Mr. Valentine, Ethan has done so much for me. No matter what happened, I have no right to be angry. Let him come back and rest. I'm going to sleep."

Without waiting for a response, Jenna stood and retreated to her room.

Gavin shook his head at the closed door. It seemed this marital crisis would have to be resolved by the two of them alone.