Unbroken (Fighting for Gisele #3) by Emily Jane Trent Page A

She untied the ribbon and peeled back the gold paper to retrieve a tiny velvet box.
    Gisele opened it and grinned, unable to hide her pleasure. Inside was a gold necklace with a pendant. She had to smile, because the pendant was a pair of tiny gold boxing gloves. Alek rolled his eyes but she didn’t pay any attention.
    She took the lovely necklace from its box and put it on, then touched her fingertips to the pendant. Opening Micah’s gift was the best part of her morning, and she looked forward to thanking him properly.
    Glancing at the table, Gisele saw only two packages left. She reached for the first and opened it to find a book of poetry, given to her by one of Alek’s business associates. “I’ll send him a thank-you note, along with the rest.”
    Last was Yuri’s gift, and she was curious to see what he’d bought for her. As with Alek, his gifts were usually expensive but impersonal. The usual was jewelry or perfume. It was hard to go wrong with those.
    While Alek watched, Gisele tore off the silver wrapping paper. The gift was inside a cardboard box that she could hold in one hand. She took off the lid and lifted out a jewel box. It was polished wood with delicate carvings, and she opened it to find that it was lined with blue velvet.
    It was the ideal place to keep a gem, such as a priceless blue diamond. Gisele stared at the box, hiding her initial reaction. A mobster with a morbid sense of humor , she thought. Then she looked up at Alek, who waited for her to say something.
    “That is a very expensive gift,” Gisele said. “Yuri must have put a lot of thought into it.” She smiled as if delighted with her present, and rubbed a fingertip over the velvet lining. “I’ll have to think of something special to keep inside.”
    Breakfast was finally over, and Gisele left to go freshen up. Guests would be arriving soon, and she was expected to play hostess. She was sure the afternoon would drag, but after dinner the men would go off to play a game of poker. Then Gisele would make her exit.
     

 
    Chapter 7
    Gambling at the casinos was profitable when Micah was on a winning streak. And that Sunday while Gisele worked her shift at the complex, he was on a roll. He did well at roulette, then blackjack, showing very few losses.
    Riding the thrill of victory, Micah found a poker game that suited him and anted up. He got off to a slow start, which proved to be a good thing. The players didn’t spot him as the pro he was until it was too late. Micah’s luck held, and he cashed out with his pockets full.
    Since Luke was still at the blackjack table, showing no signs of quitting soon, Micah would have continued playing. But he got a text from Gisele that pulled him away from the games. She was finished with her shift and wanted to come over. That prospect was far more enticing than any poker game.
    Micah’s day had started out well, and into the evening it was only getting better. Gisele took a cab to the hotel, and he was waiting when she arrived. The good news was that she didn’t have to work for her brother anymore, and could move out. That had lifted her spirits noticeably.
    Gisele’s plan was to suffer apartment living until her condo was renovated and ready for move in. But that night she came to Micah and spent the night in his arms, as he preferred. Staying with him was a much better plan.
    Micah was pleased to see that she wore the gold necklace, and liked the boxing-gloves pendant. He was no expert on gifts for women, so was glad the birthday present had been well received.
    “This day has been grueling,” Gisele said. So she chose to tell him all about it some other time. The look in her eyes when she said, “I’d rather just be with you,” was all the encouragement Micah needed.
    The rest of the evening was unforgettable, with Gisele in his arms and the outside world at bay. In those intimate moments when he was alone with her, Micah felt good inside. He didn’t dwell on his feelings, just