I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but my instincts told me Scott had many layers and much depth in terms of his personality, just like an onion. I knew he was the kind that kept his trump card hidden and would only reveal it when he needed it most.
When he saw me, he walked straight up to me and greeted me affectionately as if I were his long-lost relative.
"Mia. I finally get to meet you, darling," he said, pulling me into his arms and hugging me tight.
I blushed bright red and was more than a little flustered by the intimate embrace.
James pulled Scott off me and snapped, "Behave yourself, Scott."
Then I was introduced to Eric, who, to my surprise, was actually half-Asian, and he was just simply hot and delicious to look at. He had dark hair, warm honey skin, and smoky eyes that'd make any woman drool for days on end. Where Scott was easy, outgoing, and friendly, Eric was the total opposite. He was quiet, aloof, and looked as though he were suspicious of everyone, including me. I could say he was the introvert and kept anyone who wasn't part of his family or circle of friends at arm's length.
When he saw me, he cocked his head to one side and said, "So you're Mia?"
I nodded uncertainly, feeling as if I were being assessed or something. "Yes. Nice to meet you."
Of all the things he had to do on our first meeting, he had to go and give out a sigh, as if I were such a disappointment. Then he turned to James and snapped, "Fuck you, James!"
I sucked in my breath at his cold outburst while both James and Scott laughed, which confused me.
Eric stormed off into the living area and slumped on the sofa as if his world had just ended or something.
Scott wrapped his arm around my shoulder and said, "Don't mind him, Mia. He's in a foul mood at the moment and is sickly jealous of James."
"Why would he be jealous of James?" I asked as we headed into the living area.
Scott said, "Do you know, Mia? We brothers always ended up liking the same things. We have very similar taste in almost everything. Food, clothes, cars, women..."
I still didn't get it and was about to tell him so when Aria came rushing in behind us. I assumed she must have just finished her piano lesson with Mrs. West.
Scott let go of me and turned his attention to his beloved niece. He picked her up into his arms, hugged her tight, and kissed her repeatedly.
He said, "My darling Aria. Did you miss Uncle Scott? Now see, you have to give Uncle Scott the right answer, because otherwise, you won't get any presents."
I smiled and thought it sounded like blackmail.
"Yay! Presents!" Aria shouted excitedly. "Oh, and I missed you lots, Uncle Scott. Like lots and lots." Then before she could hurt anyone's feelings, she turned to Eric and said, "And I missed you too, Uncle Eric."
Eric came forward and kissed the little girl on the cheek. "Love you too, sweetheart."
"Uncle Eric, are you all right?" Aria asked in concern. "Are you sick?"
Scott laughed. "Yeah, he's sick all right. In the head and in the heart."
Aria looked worried. "If it's in the head, it must be a headache, right? If it's in the heart, it's a heartache, right? Do you need some medicine, Uncle Eric?"
Scott burst out laughing. "Don't worry about him, Aria. He's manly enough to handle a little heartache."
Eric glared at Scott. "Shut your trap, Scott."
James said loudly, "Language, Eric."
Eric managed to look guilty. "Sorry." He turned to Aria and gave her a weak smile. "How about the presents?"
Without further ado, the younger brothers went away with Aria to retrieve the presents from Scott's sports car. When they returned, I was astonished because there wasn't just one. There were at least five different types of soft toys.
Aria laughed excitedly and said, "I love them all."
Sometime later, we settled down for dinner in the formal dining room. Of course, the meal could have been better if Scott were to stop pestering me with question after question about my life, which wasn't something I wanted to brag about, especially things to do with my dark past. It wasn't pleasant as dinner conversation; that was for sure.
James must have understood my feelings, because he said, "Stop being such a nuisance, Scott."
Scott took it all in stride and said, "Sorry, Mia," before turning his attention to his niece once again and asking her about school.
Aria enthusiastically told the brothers about what she'd done today and even showed them her painting, which was of Aria, James, me, and the two dogs at the park on Sunday.
Scott was trying to make sense of the picture but couldn't because they were just sticks and a lot of green lines of grass and trees everywhere.
Eric said, "I can kind of make it out."
"See? This is me. This is Daddy, and this is Mia. This one with four legs is Alfie, and this one is Sammy. We had so much fun at the park on Sunday. We cried a bit too, but it was fun crying, you know? And we felt better after."
Scott burst out laughing again. "Maybe Uncle Eric should cry because that'd make him feel better."
Eric looked as if he wanted to punch Scott in the face.
Once we had finished dinner, James and his brothers went off to the living room. Because I didn't want to bother them since I knew they were going to be talking about business, I decided it was a good time to help put Aria to bed.
"James, I'll put Aria to bed for you," I said, taking the yawning Aria by the hand.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
I grinned and said, "Yeah. You enjoy your time with your brothers. I'll take care of Aria for you tonight."
He smiled, and I didn't miss the twinkle in his eyes, which pleased me.
"All right. Thanks."
After Aria had kissed her dad and two uncles good night, I led her up the stairs to get ready for bed.
Halfway, I heard Scott say, "Looks like a keeper to me."
"Yeah," Eric echoed.
I couldn't help but smile at their comments.
In Aria's room, I helped her bathe quickly and then dressed her in her favorite pajamas. Once done, I settled in her bed beside her and read her a book. Some fifteen minutes later, I noted her eyes were drooping and knew it wasn't long before she was fast asleep.
I wasn't wrong. A few moments later, her breathing became deep and even. I gently moved out of her bed and then tucked her in. I leaned forward, kissed her on the forehead, and said, "Good night, Aria."
The little girl groaned softly and mumbled, "Good night, Mia. I love you."
Instantly I felt my heart glow with delight and my eyes tearing up. Gosh. First it was the father who had said those wonderful words to me, and now it was his daughter too. Life was indeed magnificent for me at the moment.
I said softly, "I love you too, Aria."
I stayed there and gazed at her for a moment, feeling my heart filled to the brim with love. Then a little later, I got up and returned to my room. There I checked my phone and noted it was nearly time to meet up with Sophie as indicated in her note. Suddenly I dreaded the appointment and thought about changing my mind. Then she'd think I was a coward and couldn't face her, which wasn't at all true.
I hardened myself against that urge. I was determined to clear things up between us as soon as possible. After all, James loved me and chose me. The sooner I let this woman know, the better, so she could stop barking up the wrong tree.
Chapter 19
Mia
I chose to wear my ballet flats for easy walking, though I didn't change my clothes. I thought this dress--cute, frilly, and short--was fine for now, as I was only going out for a bit and the meeting was just down the road.
With my cell phone in hand, I headed out the door. As I descended the stairs, I wondered if I should tell James. Yes, that was a good idea since I didn't want him to worry about me. After all, he was always apprehensive that I'd be a target because of him, just like Matt where Andy was concerned.
I went toward the living room, but at the doo
r, I was about to open my mouth to speak when I changed my mind. The Maxwell brothers were in a deep discussion of some sort about something serious. I heard the words Alice, bride, Japan, Dad, wedding, and a lot of profanity from Eric. Because I didn't want to interrupt them and assuming James wouldn't notice if I was gone for only five minutes, I changed my mind and retraced my steps. Then I headed out the front door and down the driveway toward the gate.
It was dark, but the garden light was on so I could see clearly where I was going. I was about to reach the gate when a voice said, "Miss Donovan. Are you going somewhere?"
It was Peter O'Neil, the head security guard of the estate. I couldn't believe he was still in his station, a small building near the gate.
I said, "I'm going out to meet Sophie for a bit. I won't be long."
"Do you want one of the guards to come along?" he asked. Then before I could refuse, he said, "It's Mr. Maxwell's orders."
I put my foot down. Honestly, it was only a short meeting just around the corner. Besides, I didn't want a bodyguard, or anyone for that matter, to see or hear me quarreling with Sophie over James. It'd be embarrassing.
I said, "It's fine, Peter. I'm just going to be around the corner. Besides, it's kind of a private talk. Girl stuff, you know."
Peter was hesitant for a moment and then finally said, "All right, Miss Donovan. But you be careful out there."
I nodded.
A moment later, he opened the gate for me. As I walked out, I said over my shoulder, "I won't be long. I promise." I even gave him a cute smile.
He chuckled before returning to his post in the small office.
Oddly enough, the moment I stepped on the other side of the gate, I had this feeling of abandonment that scared me shitless, and I had no idea why. It's only going to be five minutes, I confirmed to myself as I headed down the road.
The street was strangely dark and sinister tonight, and I couldn't help but feel a chilly dread rush through my body. I glanced over my shoulder to look at the house to make sure it was still there, that I wasn't someplace else where I wasn't safe.
God, what was I thinking? Walking out here all alone and meeting Sophie, of all people, the woman who hated me to my bones. What if she had a vendetta against me because I'd been taunting her for the past two days and she thought she got fired because it was my doing? The thought didn't sit well with me, and I shuddered in anxiety.
I thought about turning back when I rounded a corner and saw Sophie there, standing by a van parked down the street. Instantly my thought of backing out fled my mind, and I squared my shoulders as I headed her way.
The closer I got, the more my stomach flipped in dread and the sicker I felt. It was clear I'd never confronted my arch enemy before.
When I was a few steps away, I stopped and looked her squarely in the eyes. I noted she had a dark smile on her face, and her clothing was a bit different than usual. Tonight she wore a dark trench coat, black jeans, and dark sneakers. Was this her type of outfit when she wasn't working as Aria's nanny? My instincts, however, told me otherwise. Sophie wouldn't dress like that, in something so distasteful, unless she had to.
I licked my lips and said, "So where do we begin?"
Sophie shrugged, and I noted she wasn't looking at me. Rather, her eyes were following something behind me.
She said, "I think we should begin with him."
I frowned as a sudden chill ran down my spine. Suddenly I noticed the smell... that god-awful smell that made me want to throw up. The smell that reminded me of my past... of that small bedroom back in New Hampshire... me and Andy being bullied and molested... and Herbert Weston.
My head spun, and my body felt weak with terror as I slowly turned around.
The moment I faced him--the man who never stopped haunting my nightmares--I sucked in my breath.
There I stood, frozen in fear, as I stared at the man I had hoped to never see again.
"Hello, Mia," he said. "Uncle has come to take you home."
Instantly I snapped out of my haze of fear and, my body shaking uncontrollably, said, "No. I'm not going anywhere with you, Herbert." I twisted around and glared at Sophie. "You bitch. You tricked me."
I knew I had to run away if I didn't want to end up in Herbert's clutches again, if I didn't want to go through the terror I'd been through when I'd been a teenage girl.
I tightened my grip on the phone in my hand as I continued to swear at Sophie as if my life depended on it.
"You think you're going to get away with this? When James finds out you planned this whole thing, that you joined forces with this disgusting man, you're both going to be dead. You obviously don't know James very well. He'll murder you without batting an eye. I swear you'll pay if anything happens to me."
Sophie laughed lightly. She was actually laughing at me and my threats. Once she was done with her sour amusement, she said, "Yeah. Like I'm going to believe you. James may be a billionaire, but when it comes to something like this, he knows nothing, sweetheart."
I shook my head at her naivety. I said as I slowly walked backward, the phone in my hand tighter in my grip, "You're stupid, Sophie. So fucking stupid. And I'm not going to feel sorry for you when James and his men hunt the both of you down, because that's what he'll do. He'll hunt you down and destroy you."
The moment I felt Herbert close behind me, I swung around and really let my fist fly into the man's face with all my might. The phone smacked his cheekbone, sending him staggering backward against the side of the van.
Sophie was stunned at what had just happened, while Herbert muttered under his breath as he touched the spot I'd whacked.
I took the opportunity of their shocked surprise and made a run for it. I literally ran for my life, my ballet flats hurting my feet and threatening to fall off.
As I rushed around the corner, intending to head back up the street toward the house, I suddenly felt a rough, strong hand on my arm, pulling me back.
Shit! No!
It was Herbert. He had caught me, his hands rough on my skin. I fought him like a crazy cat as I swung my hands wildly at him, smacking his face and chest, giving him blow after blow with my puny fists. I tried to free myself from the tight grasp, but it was to no avail.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Sophie's voice came bellowing from behind. "Fuck! Quickly. Shut her up, will you? Or someone will hear."
Instantly a hand smashed my face, sending me reeling back. I lost my footing and collapsed onto the concrete slab, my cell dropping from my hand. As I lay there, all I felt was the pain, hot and deep, spreading across my body. My head was spinning, and all I could see was hazy darkness.
I panicked and knew if I didn't clear my head and try to get help or get away soon, I was in deep trouble. I groaned and forced myself to move. Then I spread my hands out, searching for my phone by feeling about the concrete.
"Why do you have to be so difficult, Mia?" I heard Herbert say darkly. "Uncle was only here to take you back home. Do you know how much Uncle has missed you?"
I furrowed my brow and forced my head to clear, and miraculously it did. I opened my eyes and scanned around for my phone. I found it not too far away and scurried toward it. Once close, I snapped it up and, with shaky hands, searched for James's number.
I was about to push the call button when Herbert's feet appeared beside me and casually kicked the cell out of my grasp. I felt sick as tears stung my eyes. My one and only savior was kicked out of my reach. James! Oh God! Oh no!
Suddenly I felt myself being picked up, and a rag was pressed against my mouth and nose. I fought as I tried to breathe, my hands struggling wildly against the big man.
It smelled odd. The cloth. A strong, foul odor. I became weaker, and my mind began to fade.
No! What's happened? Why is my body like this? Mia, don't back down. Get a grip on yourself. Mia! I shouted internally.
But I couldn't win. Something in that cloth was making me sleepy. Then I blacked out.
Chapter 20
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James
"I'm going to check up on Aria and Mia for a bit," James said, getting up from his seat. "I think that's enough gossiping about Dad and his new bride."
Eric snorted. "That woman is not Dad's new bride. Don't be ridiculous, James."
Scott chuckled. "We'll get to meet her soon, no doubt. Our old man is coming home next month, isn't he?"
"Yeah," James said as he headed toward the door. As he was about to exit, he added, "You're about to meet your new stepmother, Eric. You should be elated about that."
Eric shouted, "Fuck you, James. It's not funny."
James laughed, shaking his head as he headed up the stairs.
He couldn't believe how sensitive Eric was where the new bride Alice was concerned.
New bride, he thought, his mind turning to Mia. Fuck, he'd said the four-letter word to her this evening, and he still couldn't believe it. Once again, he felt elated, simply elated when he'd finally recognized his feelings for Mia and said those wonderful words to her. Not to mention that quick sex was simply mind-blowing, and her pussy was so fucking sweet too.
Mia, he thought. He loved Mia Donovan. Fuck. He. Loved. Her.
He chuckled as he headed toward his daughter's bedroom. There he found Aria fast asleep. He bent down, kissed her, and then headed out again, wondering if Mia was already in her sleeping garment and in her own bed.
At her bedroom door, he gave a couple of knocks. When there was no answer, he went in, only to find the room was empty. Frowning, he strode to the bathroom and checked there.
Suddenly he felt sick. Fuck! Where the hell is she?
"Mia?" he called out, looking around and checking inside the walk-in closet. She wasn't in there either.
When he came back out, his gut instinct told him something wasn't right. Fuck!
"Mia?" he called again. He was about to head out when he saw the note sitting on the bedside table.
He picked it up and scanned through the short message.
"Fuck!" He swore loudly and rushed out the door.
He sprinted down the stairs, raced across the foyer--which surprised his brothers who were just about to leave--and then out the door.
"James!" Scott called out. "What's wrong?"