Chapter 10

Mia

“You can really eat, can’t you?” The deep timbre of his voice came my way. The tone hinted at humor, and I wondered if the billionaire found my fondness for food amusing.

Of course, I couldn’t deny the fact that I loved food. Andy called me the “eating goddess” because of how much I could really put in, despite my slim, willowy frame.

I licked my spoon clean, savoring the warm, soft brownie and the cold, creamy ice cream in my mouth. I licked my lips, a smile on my face. When I glanced up, I saw James watching me intensely, as if he found my reaction fascinating. I, in turn, felt butterflies in my stomach.

I placed the spoon down onto the empty plate and said, “Thanks for dinner.”

James cocked his head to one side and smiled. It was a very handsome expression that snatched away my breath.

“You’re welcome,” he said smoothly. “Shall we?”

I watched as he stood, pulling on his jacket.

The moment is here, I thought with a mixture of dread and relief. I’d be able to talk to Andy. Suddenly, my stomach didn’t feel well as I wondered how my brother fared.

I waited while he made the payment. When I heard the price, my jaw dropped. I reminded myself Mr. James Maxwell was a billionaire, so that amount was nothing to him.

When he turned, he grinned. Rather than feeling elated at my present circumstances, I was pissed.

James grabbed me by the elbow and led me out of the restaurant. Outside, the cool night air brushed against my heated skin. But it didn’t last long as James proceeded to once again place his large hand about the nape of my neck. What was with him? I wasn’t going to run away, for God’s sake. He didn’t need to keep such close tabs on me. After all, I had a brother to save.

I glared up at him to express my annoyance. He was ignoring me, of course. To make conversation, I asked, “How did Andy come to owe you two million?”

He raised a brow and then smiled again. “Do you want to know the details?”

He sounded amused. His words implied I shouldn’t. Honestly, I had no idea how business, especially one as dark and as deep as this one, worked.

“How?” I persisted.

“Gambling,” he said bluntly.

I frowned. “But Andy doesn’t gamble. He doesn’t even know how.”

He laughed, which caused my body to tingle. I shivered a little in reaction.

He tightened his hold on me. “Are you cold?”

“No,” I replied. “Andy doesn’t gamble.”

James sighed and raised his face to the sky, his eyes closed. “No, he doesn’t. But his friends did.”

I felt sick. Andy’s friends. The friends he’d been talking about before he’d left Mystic Spring to come here?

“He’s just a kid,” I said.

“So are you.” He chuckled, his eyes on me. I saw something akin to admiration in those Prussian irises that never ceased to fascinate me.

He was right, of course. Even though I was twenty-two, I was still a kid in James Maxwell’s world. A toddler still trying to find my feet.

My mind shifted to Andy, wondering how on earth he’d managed to get himself involved with those people. Such as it were, my mind drifted as James led me to his car. With the handsome man close to me, I started imagining all sorts of shady scenarios as to how my brother became involved with those business moguls, especially this Mr. James Maxwell.

Suddenly, I felt James’ hold on me tighten and his stance become tense, as if he sensed danger. My body stiffened with alertness, and I became nervous.

James pulled me along with him as he paced quickly to the car. I glanced up with concern. Even though I’d only met him today and knew hardly anything about him at all, I still understood basic human body language. And the expression I saw on James’ face and the dark atmosphere I sensed around him scared the shit out of me. His features were firm and dark, and those eyes of his were flashing an intense fire of blue.

I wanted to ask him what was going on when I heard the screeching of rubber against asphalt. The noise was so horrendous that I jumped at the same time James tightened his hand on my neck. Instantly, I felt myself being hauled forward. My body slammed against the rigidity of James, his arms tight around me, my face snuggled against his chest.

His smell—pure maleness—engulfed me, as well as his warmth. I could feel the heat of his body radiating into me, making me slightly dizzy and weak.

I stared at his chest as he led me farther from the sounds of the cars. I wanted to ask him again what was going on when the vehicles veered straight at us.

I jolted in panic and clutched on to James for dear life. The sounds of wheels against concrete was loud in my ears as they came to a stop before us.

James pulled me behind him, one hand holding tight about my arm. Somehow, I was glad for this, and I had no idea why—why I found his presence and his warmth so reassuring. Why I felt safe.

The doors of the unwelcomed cars opened and out came men in black suits. They were the big, buff type that would scare the freaking daylights out of any innocent youth. They looked mean and ready to kill at a moment’s notice. Were they someone’s bodyguards?

I didn’t have to wait long to find out. One of them came to open a door belonging to a sleek, fancy car right in front of us. Black shoes and trousers appeared first. Then when the face of the person emerged, I sucked in my breath.

Blond hair, piercing blue eyes, and aquiline features—this man was any girl’s hero in her fantasy world. He exuded an aura of mystery, power, and most of all, danger.

I felt myself shake a little as my eyes briefly met his. I gripped James’ shirt as my whole body trembled with something akin to both fear and awe. He must have noticed because he returned the grip, which was encouraging.

The blond hunk paced toward us, his bodyguards expertly surrounding us, as if expecting some sort of fight.

“James,” the hunky blond said smoothly.

“William.” James returned the greeting coldly.

“How’s your father doing?”

“Fine,” James replied. “How about yours?”

William laughed merrily, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. But those eyes, they told me something else. Something dark and dangerous. This hunk wasn’t to be messed with. I could sense the danger within him. Another shiver traveled up my spine. Once again, James must have noticed my slight movement because he lightly stroked me, calming me with the warmth of his presence. I calmed and breathed slowly as I watched the cold exchange.

“The old man is as remarkably healthy as ever I’m afraid,” William said with a sour look. Then he cocked his head to one side as he eyed me. Instantly, my heart leaped in dread. “Hello, sweetheart,” he greeted. “Mia Donovan, is it?”

My throat went dry as dust, and I stared at him in fear. Oh God, he was such a beautiful creature. Beautiful, dangerous creature. I knew in my bones this guy would kill without remorse. And I had a vague feeling I was his target. Well, maybe not the killing part, but his target nonetheless.

James lightly moved me farther behind him, hiding me from William’s view. He chuckled and then said, “What interest do you have in my woman?”

The moment James said my woman, my heart somersaulted within my chest. I gazed at him and felt warm all over. I knew my face was going red from the outrageous statement, and I was indeed glad the night was now cool and the streets were dark so no one noticed my blushing.

“Oh?” William stated, one handsome brow arched in mocking question. “Are you James’ woman, sweetheart?”

He directed the query at me, and I was cornered. I felt James’ intense gaze on me as well and was compelled to return the eye contact. When our stares met, he too was waiting for my reply. Bastard! I thought with fury. He did that on purpose.

I had a feeling if I were to say yes to the query, then William would leave me alone. If I were to say no, however, then William would take me with him, whether James liked it or not. I had no idea whether my assumption was correct, but I did know one thing within my gut, and that was James wouldn’t like it if William took me. Hence, all hell would break loose. Above all else, my instincts told me both men were somehow involved with Andy. How, I didn’t know, and I desperately wanted to find out.

James or William. Which of the two should I trust? My eyes flicked to James. I didn’t know why, but I was drawn to him, this powerful man who made my heart leap and my body sing.

Tentatively, I nodded. “Yes… Yes, I am,” I said low.

I noted James smiling. My breath caught at the back of my throat. Gosh, he was handsome.

“Oh?” William said, coming closer. He moved so his face was mere inches from mine. The light blue of his eyes stared deep into my own as he said, “You’re as beautiful as your brother, Mia. Hmm, looks like I have to work very hard to steal you.”

At lightning speed, James had his hand on William’s throat. Face-to-face, he sneered while William smiled.

I blinked in confusion as panic once again descended upon me. Around us, William’s men drew their weapons. Two men had guns in the air, ready to fire. One had two knives in his hands, and the other two had brass knuckles, one in each hand. Only the one who had opened the door for William stood calm as if a fight weren’t about to break out.

James didn’t seem intimidated by William’s mean-looking guards. Rather, he seemed pleased, and I was confused and scared by the glint in his eyes. It looked as though he wanted a good fight.

I, however, wanted no part of this dirty play. I cleared my throat and said clearly and loudly, “Even if you managed, I still wouldn’t go with you.”

My hope was William would just leave us be. I was disappointed, however, because he didn’t seem to register my blunt declaration at all. Instead, he shook with laughter as he raised his head to the sky. When he stopped, he said, “Oh no, James, my friend. You can’t do that to me. You see, that’s not how it works. You’ve already taken Andy from me. You just can’t have both brother and sister, you know.” He cocked his head to one side. “Ah, I see.”

He was looking at me now, and I felt something akin to apprehension settling within my being. “You’re here to save your brother? It’s no use, sweetheart. No use.”

I was instantly pissed. “How do you know it’s no use?” I demanded.

James said coldly, “The lady gave you her answer, William. She chose me. Better get your ass out of here before I beat you and your men senseless.”

At this proclamation, William’s bodyguards suddenly looked nervous and took a few steps away from us. James simply raised a handsome brow, challenging them. I thought it was odd that five burly men—men who no doubt had killed many within their ruthless world—were scared of him.

Then my mind wandered off on its own, wondering if James Maxwell was famous, or should I say infamous, in this dark business world. Perhaps he was a merciless mafia leader of some type that went around murdering people for money. The thought didn’t sit well with me, and I panicked a little.

Had I chosen the wrong person to trust? What was I doing getting myself involved with these people? But Andy. I had to save Andy. And James? Hiding me and protecting me with his body? Why did I feel safe around him when I shouldn’t be? I was more than a little confused and scared.

William laughed, drawing my attention from my internal dilemma.

“I’d love to have a good workout with you, James.” Then more quietly and seriously, he added, “Shall we make a date?”

“That would be a pleasure,” James said, smiling, his eyes glinting.

The two men exchanged a sort of understanding, and then James roughly let William go.

William easily gained his composure and tidied his suit. He turned on his heel and headed back to the car. As he stepped in, he said, “Remember, it’s not only me who wants Mia and her brother.” With that, he waved and the door was shut.

As the cars departed, I watched, wondering what William meant when he said it wasn’t only him who wanted me and Andy. Were there more people after us? Dead or alive?