by Lily Harlem
“No.”
That word again. She snatched in a breath.
“But it’s not because I don’t want you, hen.” His voice was a little softer. “Because I do, a lot, have done from the first moment I saw you.”
“Then say I can stay with you.”
“Not tonight. Tomorrow, the one after, yes. But not straight after Harry and Evan.” He smiled a little sadly. “Not for our first time. It wouldn’t be good for my soul.”
“Oh, Mason.” Her eyes misted. She thought he might come to her but he didn’t. Instead he turned to the window again.
Her body ached for him. She wanted to hold him. Make it all better. Self-loathing ran thickly in her veins. Sweet, brave, strong Mason was hurting and it was all her fault.
“I’m expecting a phone call,” he said, nodding at the bedside table.
“Who from?”
“Paul.” He paused. “Our brother, he’s got a meeting in LA. I’m hoping to meet up with him.
“That will be nice. Will I meet him?”
“I have no idea.” The phone rang. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Er, yes. Of course.” She left the room and shut the door with a quiet click.
She dashed to the bathroom and locked herself in. It was then she allowed the tears to flow. They came fast and hot. How could she feel so great one minute and so wretched the next?
These men were a yo-yo for her emotions.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After getting her tears under control and calming the sobs in her chest, Olivia crawled back into bed with Evan and Harry. She’d freshened up and pulled on fresh knickers and a t-shirt.
Harry was on his back and snoring gently. Evan was half awake though smelled of soap, as if he’d also showered.
“Hey, babe,” he murmured, pulling her close. “All okay?”
“Yes, shh, get some sleep.”
“The others back yet?”
“No, still down there.”
“Hopefully they’re still winning.”
“Hopefully.” She brushed her lips over his then snuggled down.
But sleep didn’t come easily. She kept thinking of Mason alone in the other bedroom. Should she go to him?
No.
He’d made it clear he didn’t want her tonight.
But the thought of him lying there upset, thinking she didn’t care, was almost more than she could handle. She hated that she hadn’t found the time for them to be together properly, even though each time he’d suggested it the moment hadn’t been right.
What she should have done was started this evening off with him, instead of jumping into bed with Harry and Evan for kinky sex. Not only that it was those two who’d pissed her off earlier. Which was why Mason had left.
She held in a groan. She was a crap girlfriend to Mason.
But she’d make it up to him. She had to promise herself that.
Eventually sleep stole her away. And with her body tired and satisfied, she drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep.
“Wake up, wake up. Now! We won! We won!”
Raul’s excitable voice tore into her brain.
“What?” she murmured, cracking one eye open.
Raul stood at the end of the bed, Lucas to his right. Each held a huge wad of notes.
“Look,” Raul said, holding up the money. “So much. We more than doubled. More than double doubled then double doubled that.”
“You did?” Evan sat and pushed his hair from his forehead.
“Why the noise,” Harry moaned, turning over.
“They won, look,” Olivia sat. “By doing what?”
“A bit of everything,” Lucas said. “But poker was the best. We were unstoppable.”
“Have you been up all night?” Evan asked.
“It is six in the morning now. We played until we had enough.” Raul nodded. His cheeks were round balls he was smiling so much.
“Enough for what?” Olivia asked.
“To do whatever we decide to do next.” Raul laughed. “I ordered breakfast, lots of it. It is coming to the room.”
Harry sat. “Okay, cool, but you guys disappear, there’s only supposed to be me and Evan here.” He looked at Olivia. “And we can get away with a girl accompanying us.”
“Si, si. We hide.” Raul dashed from the room.
“Where’s Mason?” Lucas directed at Olivia.
Her heart ached afresh and a new tide of regret swamped her thoughts. “He slept in the other room.”
“Oh… okay.” Lucas appeared a little confused, though he hid it quickly.
“But there’s something about your brother Paul,” Olivia said. “Mason was speaking to him on the phone. Apparently he’s coming to LA.”
Lucas grinned. “Cool, I’ll go see what that’s all about. Paul’s great, you’ll love him.”
“And, Lucas…?” She swallowed. Should she ask Lucas to pass on a message to Mason for her? No. That was wrong. She didn’t want to create any problems between the twins. If Mason wanted to talk to Lucas about what had happened, he could. But as far as she was concerned, it was their business. “Nothing.”
Olivia took another shower, and when she emerged, ready for the final leg of their journey to LA, a feast was spread on the table.
All the guys were sitting around, tucking in. The big pile of cash, the winnings, sat on top of a red velvet footstool by the window.
She took a seat next to Mason.
He munched on a croissant, crumbs scattering on his leathers.
“You okay?” she asked.
“I poured your tea.”
“Oh, lovely, thanks.” She reached for the mug in front of her. “Is Paul still going to be in LA?”
Mason said nothing.
Lucas glanced between his twin and her. “Er, yes. He’ll be in the air now. Should be able to meet up with him later today with a bit of luck.”
“Why is he coming?” Olivia directed again at Mason.
“Work.” Mason popped a huge bit of crumbly pastry into his mouth, making it clear he wasn’t planning on elaborating his answer.
“What does he do?” Olivia asked. She’d wait for him to finish his mouthful, she wasn’t in a rush.
Mason looked at Lucas and nodded slightly.
He was beginning to irritate her.
“He’s a doctor,” Lucas said. “Works for a charity, Global Medics.”
“Really?” She sipped her tea. A doctor. Wow.
“Aye, he’s just finished working in Borneo, helping train up staff at a rural hospital there. He’s reporting in at the charity headquarters which is in Santa Monica,” Lucas said.
“A doctor. Charity work too. Impressive.” Harry nodded. “Sounds like a great guy.”
“He is.” Lucas grinned. “The best.”
Olivia couldn’t help but smile. Clearly Paul was very dear to Lucas. Mason, too, she suspected. And if he was important to two of her men, she was keen to meet him.
“He can look at my burn.” Raul held up his right arm. He’d removed the bandage and it appeared to be dry and healing. “I have the money to pay for doctors now.”
“Aye, he’ll do that.” Lucas nodded as he peeled a banana to add to his stack of pancakes. “But he won’t want paying, that’s what Global Medicine is all about, free healthcare.”
“That is good. Very good.” Raul smiled and stabbed a piece of bacon onto his fork. “It will leave more money from our win.”
“Shouldn’t take too long to get to LA from here,” Harry said.
“Four hours.” Evan nodded at him, his usual smile not tugging his lips.
Harry looked away as he sipped coffee.
They were all quiet.
Olivia wondered if they were thinking what she was. Now what? When they reached LA, likely by lunchtime, they’d have completed the second and final challenge Dante Vidal had set them to raise the cash for cancer research. It wasn’t likely he’d throw any more adventures their way, or money. He’d done more than enough.
She took a bite of toast but it churned in her dry mouth. If only they could go back to the beginning, on Temptress. She’d fix the damn faulty hob in the galley. The fire would be averted, and they’d still be out at sea, loving the ride from America to Australia. Yet here they were, finishing too early despite having done a great distance across the United States.
Evan squeezed her knee.
His touch was reassuring.
But Mason’s obvious hurt seemed to radiate onto her. She couldn’t leave it like this. No way. He finished and stood, went to the window. “We should get going.”
She stared at his wide shoulders, bulky biceps and lean waist. His butt was small, his leathers tight; every muscle in his legs, like Lucas’s, was defined and strong.
“Sure thing, buddy,” Harry said, his voice flat. “We’ll head to the Hotel Mayan and meet Riley.”
Olivia wondered if he’d elaborate on what would happen next, but he didn’t. Instead, he went into the master bedroom, his shoulders a little stiff and his expression dark.
Olivia’s emotions were mixed as she left Las Vegas. She’d had a great time there, with Evan and Harry, but she’d hurt Mason and didn’t know what to do about that. She’d also argued with Harry, about the girls. Just thinking about them made her skin itch.
It wouldn’t be the last time it happened though… or would it?
For all she knew, Riley could be booking them all flights home for the next day. She’d find herself back in Portsmouth, working nine-to-five, and living with her parents.
She swallowed as she picked up speed. Just the idea gave her the urge to kick something. Not that she didn’t love her parents, but she wanted more, she wanted what she had now to continue.
Harry was in the lead, with Evan behind him. Lucas and Raul rode in tandem. Mason was right behind her. She wished they could talk properly over the sound of the engines. There was so much she wanted to say to him and her arms ached to hold him.
They filled their tanks in a place called Barstow, which had a smattering of casinos and clubs, then followed the wide highway, which took them through seemingly endless empty desert. The sun heated her leathers and in turn her body. She was thirsty and looking forward to air conditioning.
Eventually, from between two huge cliffs, Los Angeles rose from the shimmering horizon.
Harry continued on as suburbs grew around them, palm trees began to line the road and the traffic got increasingly heavier.
She groaned inwardly at the memory of LA’s gridlock but was glad to be on a bike. At least that gave them the chance to dodge through the cars, vans and buses at a standstill.
They finally pulled into the underground lot of the Hotel Mayan. The noise of the exhausts rumbled around the concrete walls. Olivia was reluctant to turn her engine off. It would be the last time she rode her Harley. She’d loved it despite the hours of sitting, which had made her limbs ache, and the heat of the sun on this last leg of their journey that had almost melted her leathers.
Chapter Twenty-Four
When all the guys had turned their bikes off, Olivia did the same and the underground lot of the Hotel Mayan went silent.
Harry set his helmet on his bike and rolled his shoulders. He blew out a breath.
“Fuck, that was hot,” Evan said, scraping his hand through his damp curly hair.
“Si, as hot as España.” Raul wiped the back of his hand over his brow.
Lucas nodded and undid his leather jacket.
She looked at Mason. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” He paused. “Are you?”
“Thirsty.” She smiled.
“So let’s go get you a drink.”
She missed him calling her hen—he had done since they’d met. It was his term of endearment for her.
Perhaps I’m not dear to him anymore?
She sighed, her breath a little shaky as it left her lungs, and followed the guys into the hotel.
Harry spoke to the receptionist and was handed a key to a suite along with several other room keys.
“How do you that?” Evan asked. “With no money?”
“My father owns this place.”
“Oh.” Evan nodded. “Okay.”
They rode the elevator in silence. A sense of dejection had come over them. Olivia had the urge to scream, then to cry, then to stomp off in a huff. She did none of those things. Instead she was quiet, the way her boyfriends were.
The suite was bright and airy, the view of the ocean fabulous. She went to the window and stared out as Evan and Harry swooped into the mini bar. The blue of the water was calming, as was the sight of yachts filling their sails on the horizon.
She flexed and unflexed her fingers and took a few deep breaths. When she turned back to the room, Mason stood before her holding out a can of Coke. He’d popped the ring pull.
“For me?” she asked.
“Aye.”
“Thanks.” She took it and sipped.
He stepped away, lifting a can of his own to his mouth. He stared out of the window with a crease over his brow.
“This is good,” Raul said, adding a tiny bottle of dark liquid into a tumbler of Coke. “To finally drink rum.”
Knock. Knock.
Mason turned from the view. He and Lucas looked at each other.
Paul?
“I’ll get it.” Harry set down his can, which clinked on the table as if already empty. “Probably Riley.” He strolled to the door, his t-shirt pressing against his wide, slightly sweat-damp shoulders.
Olivia strained to look past him.
It wasn’t Riley. She knew his voice.
This person had a Scottish accent.
The same as his brothers’.
She glanced at Raul and Evan; they’d both turned to the door too.
A tall guy sauntered in. He looked like the twins but not. His hair wasn’t white-blond the way theirs was, it had a hint of red to it, though it was cut just as super-short. His face was a little more angled, more mature, and he had smile lines around his eyes. But like them he had a dense tattoo peeking from his black polo and it appeared to be the same armor design.
A grin spread on his face as he scanned the room, when his blue eyes settled on his brothers it turned into a laugh and he held his arms wide. “Hey, guys.”
Lucas gave him a hug, smiling and whacking his older brother on the back.
“You’re looking good, kid. More tanned than usual,” Paul said, letting his gaze drift over Lucas.
“Being marooned on a desert island does that.” Lucas nodded out to sea.
“Scary shit. Glad you’re okay.” He squeezed Lucas’s shoulder then set his attention on Mason. “Mase.”
Mason walked up to him and they shared a hard, intense embrace.
“You okay, survived?” Paul said, holding him at arm’s length and appearing to scan Mason up and down.
“I’m here.” Mason huffed.
“Thank God.” Paul studied him for a full three seconds then turned to the room. “You going to introduce me to the crew, Lucas?”
“Sure.” Lucas indicated Harry. “You just met the captain, Harrington Vidal—his father Dante is behind The Challenge.”
“Please, call me Harry.”
Paul inclined his head. “Harry, good to finally meet you after hearing these guys talk about The Challenge for so long.”
“And this is Raul, he’s from Barcelona, damn fine chef.” Lucas folded his arms, causing his biceps to bulge under the pressure of his knuckles. “And top rate poker player.”
Olivia glanced at Mason. He was standing in the exact same position as Lucas. His gaze caught hers for a moment then he turned away.
Would it be weird if she just went up to him, wrapped her arms around him and told him she loved him? Told him she was sorry if she’d made him feel less than adored? What would Paul think if she did?
The dynamic of having someone else in the room, invading their tight little circle, suddenly felt odd. A bit like having a
n itch she couldn’t reach or a knot in her shoulder that refused to go away.
“And this is…?” Paul asked, holding out his hand to Evan.
“Evan Tate, Melbourne,” Evan said before Lucas could introduce him.
The two men shook.
“Good to meet you all.” Paul folded his arms, the same way his brothers were. “And it sounds like you’ve had adventures.”
“Er… this is Olivia,” Evan said, indicating her standing by the window. “Olivia Bailey.”
“Ah, of course, how could I miss you.” Paul smiled and stepped up to her. “A pleasure, I’ve heard all about you.”
“Paul.” She held out her hand.
He took it and shook.
She gave a firm return shake. “And I’ve heard all about you.”
His eyebrows raised a fraction. “All good I hope.”
“Yes, your brothers clearly think the world of you.”
“Same here. It’s great to have this chance to catch up with them.” He rubbed his hands together and nodded at Mason. “What are we going to do? Plans? Hitting the town, the beach, a club?”
Silence.
“Anyone?” Paul frowned at Lucas. “Any plans?”
“No.” Harry shook his head. “Well, we’re waiting for my father’s pa Riley.”
As he’d said the name there was another knock at the door.
Again Harry went to open it.
This time it was Riley. He wandered in holding a small black box.
“Ah, you made it this time,” he said. “Dante will be pleased.” He frowned. “Why the glum faces? You should be celebrating. Here.” He handed Harry the box. “From your father. A well done gift for completing this challenge.”
“Really? Thanks.” Harry took it and flipped the lid.
Within plush black velvet sat a dense silver watch, a Rolex.
“To replace the one you lost on the island.” Riley rolled his fingertips on his thumbs. “It took some sourcing, it was a limited edition.”
“I didn’t lose it,” Harry said, plucking the watch out. “I traded it to save our lives.”
“Don’t be dramatic, you traded it to get a phone call,” Evan said.
Harry frowned. “You know what I’m saying.”
“Not really.” Evan huffed.