Chapter 44

Mia

Despite the fact James had told me to return to sleep, I simply couldn’t. My eyes were wide open as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, my mind on my brother.

Have they found Andy yet? I wondered. Was Andy okay? Was he wounded?

Questions after questions kept echoing in my head, demanding answers I couldn’t offer.

It was seven thirty in the morning when I decided to get out of bed and do something about my hunger. I quickly ordered room service, and while I waited for my breakfast to turn up, I showered to clear my head. Once I was finished and had a new dress on James had bought for me from Fleur, I headed into the living area and waited some more. My mind was still on Andy, James, and Matt when the knock came. I had entirely forgotten about breakfast.

I hastily went to open the door and found a maid there rolling in the trolley filled with delicious sustenance. She left again after asking me if I wanted anything else.

Alone, I sat and ate because it was something I could do to take my mind off my brother. I was pretty sure I’d go insane a few hours later when the door opened and James walked in.

My heart leaped with hope, and I immediately rushed over to him. My eyes were large with expectation when I asked, “Andy?”

Even though he had been out during the majority of the night and had not slept for more than a few hours, he still looked damn handsome with his dark hair now just a little disheveled but still stylish like usual, his eyes dark with an intense fury that was hard not to notice, and his face a black mask. He looked like a man who had just returned from the kill.

James cupped my face as he stared hard at me, as though he were drinking in my features, marveling at them. He seemed lost for a moment as he gazed at me, which confused me.

I was eager and needed to know if he had found my brother, and so I broke the silence once again. “James? My brother?”

Slowly a smile appeared across his lips. He leaned toward me and gave me a kiss. It was that light brush between our lips that was both warm and promising, making my heart glow with delight.

When he moved back, he took my hand. “He’s fine.”

His words made my body sing with delight. “Really? You’ve found him?”

He nodded in response. So many emotions erupted within me then. One of those emotions was relief. It swept through me like the wave of a calm ocean. I was so happy I couldn’t help myself and rushed up. I wrapped my arms tightly around him.

“Oh, James, thank you so much,” I said, tears in my eyes. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

As I buried my face against his thick, muscular chest, sobbing and chuckling at the same time, I felt James patting my head, comforting me.

When I finally moved back, I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, knowing I must look horrible.

James shook his head. “Sometimes I truly forget how young you are,” he said softly, wiping tears off my cheek with his large thumb.

I bit my lip, wondering if he was disappointed in me for being young and naïve. For being so inexperienced in his world. I would imagine the only type of woman suitable for him would be the sexy bombshell type who oozed confidence and money. The type of woman who clearly wasn’t me. I was only his mistress. The one he kept locked in his bedroom in secret. The one he would never be proud of and show off to his family and circle of friends.

The thought saddened me, but I didn’t have time to think about that now. My brother was more important than my sad circumstance.

I turned my mind to Andy and raised my face to James.

“Andy? Where is he now?” I asked.

“At the hospital,” he said.

I paled immediately at his reply. If Andy was at the hospital, it could only mean one thing. He was hurt. Gravely.

My stomach knotted in dread. I raised my eyes to James, wanting to ask him so badly what my brother’s condition was.

“Is…is he okay?” I asked, my voice shaking. No, wait. James said Andy was okay, so it couldn’t be that bad. But I needed to make sure. “Is he hurt badly?”

James said, “He’s fine.”

It was then I knew James’ and my interpretation of fine were different. My fine meant totally healthy, no cuts and no bruises. As in everyday fine. James’ fine probably meant a few bones broken, cuts, and bruises but will live.

“I want to go and see him now,” I said.

He nodded.

I rushed into the bedroom, grabbed my bag, and was back in a flash. “Let’s go.”

James chuckled at my eagerness. He obliged without protest despite the fact that he had just returned from saving my brother’s life—tired and worn out. He took me by the hand and led me out the door.

About half an hour later, we were in a hospital. James took me to the eighth floor where I assumed the intensive care unit was. He then led me into a private patient room, and the moment I saw Andy, I gasped. His handsome face was all black-and-blue with bruises and cuts, and his torso and arms were bandaged.

A gasp escaped my lips as I stood there, staring at my brother in sick disbelief. Who? Who could have done this to my brother? How cruel!

To think that Andy was already this damaged when James and Matt found him within hours. Would he have even lived at all if they hadn’t found him in such short notice?

Suddenly rage erupted within me. How I wanted to hurt the person who had hurt my brother. The emotion was so overwhelming I felt like choking.

I stood there rooted to the spot at the door as I watched Andy painfully opening his eyes, probably for the first time since he had been admitted to the hospital. My brother was gazing at me, at first without really seeing, as though he was confused. I couldn’t blame him. He was probably pumped with morphine and dazed and sore from the beating. Then when he recognized me, I saw the darkness within those beautiful brown eyes of his and knew he didn’t want me to see him like this. He looked pained the moment he recognized me. His condition reminded me of the many times he had been beaten up by Uncle Herbert.

“Andy,” I said softly, my voice weak.

I felt James’ hands about my shoulders as encouragement for me to move forward. Empowered, I did, my gait slow and weak.

Once near the side of the bed, I couldn’t help myself and collapsed on Andy, tears in my eyes. I hugged him tight in my arms as I buried my face against his bandaged chest.

“Andy! You’re okay. You’re safe.” I sobbed. “I’m so happy you’re safe.”

With my face against his chest, I felt his body shake with emotion.

“Mia,” he whispered. “I’m sorry I worried you. I’m so sorry.”

I raised my head, tears in my eyes. “No. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault,” I said, shaking my head. “You know that. I’m just so glad to see you safe.”

He rested his hand on my head as I continued to hug him, taking in the moment, feeling his warmth and his body against me, to confirm that he was indeed here with me—safe and sound.

When I had finally lifted my head again, it was to see Matt watching me across the bed. I gasped and straightened up. The man had a dark look in his eyes as though he was pissed with me or something.

“Matt,” I said.

The man looked tired and out of sorts with dark circles under his eyes.

Andy reacted to my word as though it was the first time he had realized Matt was in the room. He turned to look at Matt for a brief second and then glanced away. I noted the pain and the embarrassment in his eyes and wondered yet again the real relationship between the two.

“How are you feeling?” Matt asked.

Andy licked his dry lips. “In a shitload of pain,” he replied.

I reacted by turning to James. “Should we ask for more painkillers for him? Should I ring for the nurse?”

Matt said, “They already gave him a lot of morphine.”

I nodded as Andy closed his eyes as if that would help ease the pain in his body.

“You have three ribs broken,” Matt said. “And a fuckload of bruises. Luckily, that’s about it. No internal damage.”

I sighed at the good news. The ribs would soon heal themselves. The bruises would soon disappear as well.

“I’m so glad,” I said. “I’m going to stay here and help nurse you, Andy.”

Andy was about to utter something when Matt said, “No need for that, Mia. I’m sure the nurses here are very capable.”

I frowned and protested. “But I’m his sister. I have to be here for him.” I turned to James for help. The man didn’t look too pleased with my announcement. I licked my lips and said, “Just the first couple of days. I know Andy needs his rest, but I’d feel more comfortable if I’m with him during the day.”

“Mia,” Andy said. “I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“Andy, you’re not inconveniencing me. We’re siblings. You were always there for me. We promised to be there for each other.”

Matt said, “He has me now. You don’t need to bother.”