She frowned into the mirror. Tanner had been wrong. The dress was perfectly respectable. Just as well. She certainly didn’t have any spare cash for a new one.
A half hour later, at five minutes to ten, Millie stood outside The Miller-Brook. Wow. The place oozed elegance and class. Her mouth was dry as a desert. Conversely, her palms were sweaty, and she dug around in her purse for a tissue to wipe them on.
It was hard to believe that the same guys she’d gone to school with now owned this prime piece of real estate on Manhattan’s upper east side, not two blocks from Central Park. It must be worth a fortune and, if the buzz of people coming in and out was anything to go by, it was also popular.
She hoped Cole would be there to greet her. She barely remembered Jax and was dreading coming face to face with Calum. Even though Cole had told her he was in a committed relationship, it still felt strange. She’d spent the last thirty-six hours expecting Cole to call and tell her he’d changed his mind, then she remembered she hadn’t given him her number—his confusion at that hadn’t gone unnoticed—and he didn’t know her address. For all she knew, he could have changed his mind and had no way to let her know.
Pulse racing, she nibbled on her lip. Oh God, she could be there, all excited at the prospect of earning money, and he could be standing inside waiting for her to turn up just so he could tell her the deal was off.
Get a grip, Millie.
With a calming breath, and a final hand sweep over her right hip, she fixed her purse on her shoulder then walked up the steps and into the lobby.
The reception desk was made of cream marble with a dark-grey granite counter, the letters MB painted in gold lettering on the front. A vase of summer flowers on top set the whole thing off beautifully. Behind the desk the walls were painted in a coffee-and-cream stripe. The whole ensemble was the height of class and luxury.
She glanced around but couldn’t see anyone. She wandered a little farther inside and peered into what looked like a lounge area. A few guests were sipping coffee and reading newspapers, but Cole wasn’t there.
“Hey, you made it.”
She spun around. Cole was standing behind her, dressed in his cop uniform. Her breath caught. She might be sworn off men, but she’d have to be blind not to appreciate just how much he rocked that uniform. The cut of the shirt showed off his flat, hard chest, and the short sleeves allowed a brief peek of a tattoo covering his upper arm and biceps.
“Am I dressed okay?” she blurted, conscious that she’d been staring.
He grinned. “You look great. Tanya will arrange for a uniform to be ordered for you over the next couple days, and she’ll go through the employee papers with you. Come on, let’s get you a coffee and you can meet, or rather re-meet, Jax. Tanya will be here in about fifteen minutes.” He poked his head inside the lounge and called across to a smartly dressed girl tending to a customer. “Isa, can you keep an eye on reception for a few minutes?”
“Sure thing, Cole,” she replied.
He spun on his heel and headed down the hallway. Opening a door on his left marked Private, he flicked on a light which illuminated a staircase.
“Watch your step,” he said, and for a second, she thought he was going to take her hand. Half of her wanted him to, and the other half feared what his touch would do. Regardless, she needn’t have worried, because he walked on ahead.
At the bottom of the stairs, the room opened out into a large living space. Jax stood from the couch and crossed the room to greet her. As she watched him stroll across, her nerves receded. She did recognize him, although his face was much more angular, and he’d filled out—a lot. Still, the sense of familiarity slowed her racing heartbeat. He thrust out his hand.
“Millie, welcome. I’m really glad you’re joining us.”
“Thank you for the opportunity.” She shook his hand, conscious hers was a touch clammy.
“Cole will introduce you to Tanya. She’ll look after you. I’ll be around later to check how you’re getting on.”
“Where you off to?” Cole asked.
Jax rolled his eyes. “Quarterly review with the investors.”
“Rather you than me.”
“It’s a necessary evil. If it hadn’t been for them, we wouldn’t have this place.”
“True enough.”
Jax slipped his wallet into the inside pocket of his jacket and picked up a thin, cream folder secured with a black band.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said to Cole, then turned to Millie with a friendly smile. “I should be back around one. Good luck. Not that you’ll need it.”
He disappeared upstairs. Cole strolled into the kitchen and lifted a pot of coffee from the hot plate. “Cream and sugar?”
“Neither, thank you.”
Millie glanced around. She had good vibes about this place. It held a lot of warmth and affection and reminded her of the love she’d felt growing up. Maybe now she had a job she could pluck up the courage to contact Mom and Dad. She wouldn’t risk going out to their place, but maybe they could meet somewhere else, like the library or the Met.
“You look pensive.”
She blinked. Cole was standing in front of her holding a steaming cup of coffee. She took it from him, sniffing appreciatively. “Thank you. First day nerves, I guess.”
He pointed to the couch. “Take a seat.”
She sipped the coffee then set the cup on the table and, folding her dress beneath her, sat down.
“There’s no need to be nervous. You’ll do this job standing on your head.”
She blinked. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had shown any confidence in her. Tanner preferred to chip away at her self-esteem with his constant criticism and harsh words. He destroyed things rather than protected them. Cole’s endorsement had the opposite effect. She could do this. She would do this.
“I don’t want to let you down.”
“You won’t. I’d be more worried if you weren’t nervous. Show me someone who wasn’t on their first day, and I’ll show you a liar, or someone who doesn’t give a shit.”
She smiled. “Thank you. I needed that.”
Sweeping a hand over his beard, Cole studied her face. “I know it’s been ten years, but the Millie I went to school with wasn’t so reserved and polite. You’re a New Yorker after all.”
Oh no. Had she made a mistake? She was so used to watching every word, to treading on eggshells, that civility was her go-to coping mechanism. Keep the peace. Keep things calm. Be nice to him. Don’t get him all riled up. Show your gratitude. Thank you, Tanner. You’re a wonderful husband, Tanner. I’m lucky to have you, Tanner.
Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t. There was no telling with her unpredictable and cruel husband.
“I’m not a bratty teenager anymore,” she said. “My mom always used to say manners cost nothing.”
“I don’t remember you being a bratty teenager either.” He grinned. “Now Calum…he was a bratty teenager.”
At the mention of his twin, she glanced around. “Where is Calum?”
“At work.” Cole must have seen something in her face because he added, “Don’t worry about him. He’s fine.”
She angled her head to one side. “Is he really?”
He fidgeted, palming the back of his neck, then blew out his cheeks. “He wasn’t at first, but he is now.”
“Why? What changed his mind?”
Cole cracked a smile, the action lighting up his whole face. A great big knot formed in her stomach. Those eyes, emerald green with flecks of gold in the irises, were the most absorbing sight. Soft, warm, tender.
“Laurella,” Cole said, shaking her from her fascination. “She’s got him by the balls, and she’s not afraid to squeeze.”
Millie laughed. “She sounds amazing.”
He nodded. “She is. You’ll meet her later. I think you two will get along.”
“I hope so. It would be nice to have another woman to chat to. I lost touch with all my high schoo
l girlfriends, and you, of course.”
A flash of something akin to compassion crossed his face. It was gone in no time, but nonetheless, it irked her. She didn’t want or need his pity. She gave him a hard stare and snapped, “I’m not a charity case. There’s no need to look at me as though I am.”
His eyes widened, and he held his hands in the air. “Whoa. Where did that come from?”
Her spark of temper disappeared as quickly as it arrived. It had been so long since she’d allowed herself to show that emotion, she’d almost forgotten what irritation felt like.
Liberating. Honest. Wonderful.
Cole hadn’t deserved such treatment, though. She scrambled for an apology. “I’m so sorry. Ignore me. I didn’t get much sleep last night, worrying about today.”
He chewed the corner of his bottom lip, his gaze roving over her face. And then he did it. He went there.
“Are you okay?”
The question came out so gently, with a tenderness she’d long given up hope of hearing from any man, and a rush of emotion swelled within her. Her vision blurred, and she blinked a few times to clear it.
“I will be,” she whispered, tucking her chin into her chest, eyes cast downward.
“Did Tanner do something to you?”
Her heart almost stopped. He knew. Of course he knew. He was a cop, intuitive, inquisitive, used to reading people, especially those hiding something. She searched for the right response, one that wouldn’t invite further inquiry.
“Don’t ask me, please.”
Painful seconds scraped by, and it was only when she finally lifted her head that she realized he’d been waiting for her to face him. His eyes latched on to hers, and his fingertips skimmed down her arm. He barely touched her, but that didn’t stop her body reacting with a needy tremor of bliss. She craved tenderness, and that one brief touch had provided more than ten years with Tanner.
“I’m still your friend, Millie. We might not have seen each other since high school, but I’m here for you if you ever need a shoulder.”
She bobbed her head, not trusting herself to speak. Cole studied her for a few seconds longer before finally letting her off the hook. He picked up their half-drunk coffee cups and stood, his spine stiff and erect, then crossed to the kitchen and put them on the counter.
“Tanya should be here by now. Let’s put you to work.”
She blew out a relieved breath and then gave him a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”
“Boss or sir is fine by me.”
Her eyes widened, and then she spotted his twitching lips. “Still dreaming I see, Cole.”
He winked and turned around, but as he headed for the stairway, she could have sworn she heard him mutter, “I’ll never stop.”
Chapter 6
“Time for a quick drink?” Cole asked Draven when they were getting changed after their shift later that day.
“You buying?”
“Yeah.”
“Then count me in.”
They went to a bar down the street. It was fairly quiet, but regardless, Cole took a seat at the back.
The bartender dropped off a couple of beers, and they clinked bottles.
“So, you gonna tell me what’s been bugging your ass all day?” Draven asked.
Cole teased at his beard. “I went to see Detective Black today at the DVU.”
Draven cocked a brow. “You transferring to Domestic Violence without telling me?”
Cole snorted. “Can you imagine me working there?”
“No.” Draven laughed. “You’d be too tempted to ‘educate’ the fuckers.”
“Exactly. No, I went about Millie.”
Draven frowned. “Who’s Millie?”
“The girl from Saturday night. The one at the coffee shop.”
“Ah, your first love?”
Cole ignored him. “She started work at the hotel today.”
Draven’s eyes widened. “Your hotel?”
“Yep.” He picked at the edges of the beer label. “She needed a job. We needed a replacement for Tanya.” And I needed to keep her close.
“So why the visit to DVU?”
“There’s something very wrong. My instincts are firing, and not in a good way. She’s anxious, jumpy as fuck, nothing at all like the girl I knew. She told me Saturday night that she’s left her husband. When she turned up for work this morning, I outright asked her what had happened with him. Her response? Don’t ask me.”
“Well, maybe she thinks you’re a nosy fucker she hasn’t seen for ten years and it was her polite way of saying mind your own goddamn business.”
Cole shook his head. “I’m no expert when it comes to DV, but I’ve seen enough to make me suspicious that’s what might have happened in Millie’s case.”
“What did Black say?”
“That she should make a formal complaint, and that if he turns up and harasses her, they could apply for an Order of Protection.”
“And will she?”
Cole blew out a breath. “No fucking idea. But one thing is certain: if I push, she’ll retreat.”
“So what are you gonna do?”
Cole leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. “Bide my time. Be her friend. And hope to God she opens up.”
* * *
“Have you enjoyed your first day?” Tanya asked as the clock ticked toward six in the evening, the end of her first shift.
“I’ve loved it,” Millie said. “Thank you for being so patient with me, even when I asked the same question multiple times.”
Tanya gestured dismissively. “Ask away. When I leave on Friday, I want to make sure you’re completely comfortable with everything.”
Millie bit her lip. Should she ask? With her life in chaos, she desperately wanted to latch on to a semblance of hope. Oh, to hell with it. She plucked up her courage and crossed her fingers behind her back.
“Cole mentioned you might not be returning after your maternity leave.”
“There’s no might about it. With two kids under three, I simply won’t have the time. I’ve told my guy he’ll have to apply for more overtime at work—he’s an electrician—because if he thinks I’m working an eight-hour shift here and then spending all night cleaning house and running around after two kids, he’s got another think coming.”
The relief must have shown on her face because Tanya added, “Have I just made your day?”
Millie nodded. “I really need the money.”
“Don’t we all,” Tanya said with a grin. “Well, as long as Jax is happy with your work, I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about.”
“Jax isn’t the only owner of this joint.”
Both Millie and Tanya’s heads snapped around. Millie’s heart pummeled her ribcage like a bird desperate to take flight, but trapped in a steel cage, its wings flapping uselessly against the barrier to freedom. The moment she’d privately dreaded all day had arrived.
Calum was dressed in a smart black suit, his beard shorter than Cole’s and his hair longer. Apart from those minor differences, the two had remained identical, just as they’d been in high school. Although they looked alike, Millie had never had any problems differentiating between them. Their personalities set them apart.
“You’ll have to keep me happy, too.” A glimmer of a smile played around his lips without reaching his eyes.
“Oh, Calum, I didn’t see you there,” Tanya said, seemingly oblivious to the icy undercurrent of Calum’s hard stare. “This is Millie. She’s taking over from me when I leave to have the baby.”
Calum sauntered over, his trademark swagger still firmly in place, except now he’d matured, he wore it with a confidence bordering on arrogance.
He stuffed his hands deep into his pockets. “You haven’t changed a bit,” he said to Millie.
Tanya’s eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. “Do you two know each other?”
“Yeah. We went to the same school. Isn’t that right, Millie?”
Mute, she
nodded.
“Well, she’s had a fantastic first day, Calum. I don’t think you’ll even notice I’ve gone.”
“Probably,” he drawled, his attention on Millie. “Why don’t you take off, Tanya. Millie can stick around until Marion arrives.”
Her pulse jolted. What game was he playing?
“If you’re sure,” Tanya said, already reaching under the desk for her purse. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Millie.”
“Bye,” she croaked, her voice husky and raw as she watched Tanya jog down the steps and disappear from sight.
“Cole tells me you’ve split with Tanner.”
She cut her eyes to Calum’s. “Yes.”
He leaned his upper body over the reception desk. “You’re not going to bring trouble to our door, are you, Millie?”
She took a step back. Her lip stuck to her top teeth, and she swept her tongue over them. “No,” and then in a stronger voice, “No, I’m not.”
He looked directly at her. “I hope so, for your sake.”
“I just want a chance.”
“And you’ll get one, thanks to my brother.”
She bit down on her lip. “I know this is awkward. If you want me to go, then I will.”
Calum’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. Millie’s pulse raced. She’d made the offer to go because she wanted to demonstrate to Calum she had integrity, that she genuinely wasn’t trying to cause trouble. But if he accepted…
“What if I said I did want you to go? Would you walk out of here right now and never come back?”
She stiffened her spine and refused to look away from Calum’s daring gaze, even if, inside, her lungs were on the verge of collapse. Tanner’s words often crushed her, but she’d survived. Hell, she’d escaped. If Calum Brook thought he could break her, he was about to be disappointed.
She thrust her chin forward. “Yes, Calum. If you want me to leave, then I’ll leave. I won’t stay where I’m not wanted.”
A flash of surprise turned his emerald-green eyes a shade darker. He opened his mouth to respond, but Millie didn’t get to hear his thoughts because someone else cut in.
His to Protect: A Brook Brothers Novel Page 5