by Alexia Praks
Oh God! Please don't let that Sophie woman be his wife. But James wasn't wearing a wedding band. So she couldn't be his wife, right? And what about that adorable little girl Aria? I'd figured out she must be James's daughter, as I'd mentioned to him earlier on the plane, which he confirmed. That meant James must have had at least one serious relationship before. Or had he and Aria's mom had a one-night stand? Or had James had other mistresses I didn't know about? The idea didn't sit well with me.
"Stop looking at me like that, Mia."
I jumped at his intense tone and blinked. "Huh?"
He didn't care to explain. He took action by grabbing my hand and placing it on his crotch. He was hot and hard. His bulge was indication enough.
Shit! I reacted and retrieved my hand without a second thought. My heart pounded loudly within my chest. He was hard because of the way I had looked at him. Did I affect him that much?
Thinking about him in bed made me shiver deliciously. He really did like ripping clothes off me. That was when the realization hit me. James must have seen the size on the tag of my clothing as he undressed me. Or rather, when he ripped them off me during our sex.
I sighed and relaxed against the seat. That had to be it.
"What is it?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Nothing. I just figured out something; that's all."
"Care to share?" he urged.
"No thanks," I said, smiling to myself.
He gave me a quick glance before returning his eyes to the road. I was glad he didn't probe about the subject and turned my attention to the scenery of the streets of Las Vegas. There were palm trees, lots of bright, flashing lights, and high-rise buildings very unique to this city. The Strip was awesomely extravagant, and it took my breath away. I was awed. I couldn't tear my eyes from the exotic scenes before me.
It wasn't long before we arrived at our destination. As I got out of the car, I thought it looked just like any other part of Las Vegas. High-rise buildings and lots of flashy cars and expensively dressed people going about their touristy business. I felt a little out of place wearing a pair of faded sneakers with a summer dress and one of James's work shirts. If there was no work shirt, my appearance would have been fine, but I needed it to cover the bite marks and bruises on my skin that James had amorously branded on me during our zealous lovemaking sessions. As it were, I looked like a high school girl who didn't know how to dress appropriately.
James turned the corner and drove through the front of a massive building that simply said, MAXWELL in bright, bold letters. Below that, it said Hotel, Resort, and Casino. My jaw nearly dropped. I had thought his mansion and apartment were extravagant enough, but this? This flashy building? It was then that, once again, the power, richness, and influence this man yielded overwhelmed me. James was a Maxwell, one of the wealthiest, most influential families in America, maybe the world. My heart skipped a beat at the thought that this very powerful man was my lover.
A valet rushed to our car the moment we stopped. He came around to James and said cheerfully, "Mr. Maxwell, sir." He even bowed at James as if the great man were the king of Las Vegas himself.
James got out and tossed the valet his key. "Take good care of it, Craig," he said, nodding to the black sports car that had been presented to us at the airport when we landed.
I was surprised James knew his employee by name. Surely, he must have had a least a few thousand of them working for him and his family.
"Sure thing, sir," Craig said, grinning widely.
I was out of the car by the time James came around to my side. I gazed at the massive, busy entrance, clutching my bag in front of me in both awe and trepidation. The place was buzzing with life. It was after midnight, for God's sake. Didn't they sleep here in Las Vegas? The moment I internally asked myself that, I snorted. Of course they didn't sleep. It was Las Vegas.
"Does Andy stay here?" I asked James.
"Hmm." He took me by the elbow and led me forward. I didn't want to move at first, but because his hold on me was firm, I followed him.
I noticed also that another valet had appeared and retrieved James's luggage. He was younger than the one before and had freckles all over his face. He flashed me a wide smile when I glanced at him. I hesitantly grinned back.
The moment I stepped into the lobby, I caught my breath. The place was massive and extravagantly designed and decorated with marble floors and walls and massive chandeliers on the high ceilings. There was a long front desk to the left with at least eight pretty receptionists there, ready to aid anyone that needed it. While to the right was the entrance to a massive casino, where I guessed at least a few thousand people mingled about, having loads of fun and easily departing with hundreds of thousands of dollars of their hard-earned, or not-so-hard-earned, cash.
To the center and leading to the back were various five-star restaurants and private club rooms for guests from around the world to dine and enjoy. Then there was that masterpiece grand staircase leading up to the next level that all but made me forget about my underprivileged background and wonder if I'd just stepped into a world of grandeur. Of course, there was the elevator as well, if one preferred that over the grand stairs.
I noted there were bodyguards in their black suits, with earphones, hanging about the lobby and the casino everywhere, their eyes sharp. I had no doubt there was a security room with more guards, their hawk-like eyes on the video screens that scanned and covered the whole building. Security was indeed tight in this particular building.
"Take my luggage to my room," James said to the valet, and the guy nodded and left us.
I wondered where exactly James's room was. Perhaps a presidential suite high up in the building with a fantastic view? Then, of course, I wondered if I'd get my own room as well. Or if I had to share with him.
We were just about to set foot into the elevator when someone called out to James. I turned with James and came to see a tall hunk of a man with jet-black hair and dark eyes. He looked half Asian and dangerous to the core.
"Tory," James said. "Hey, man, long time no see."
Tory laughed. "Yeah." They did their manly handshake and then began a quick catch-up.
I knew I was in the way and probably intruding, aside from the fact I felt very awkward standing there while they conversed about personal and business stuff. Thus, I decided to move to the side away from them, my backpack in front of me tight. I decided to kill some time waiting for them to finish by surveying the place with more appreciation. It was fun watching people going about their business, and it was then I saw someone familiar that made me a little nervous.
William was sitting on a cozy chair in one of the restaurants, facing us. His pale-blond hair glittered white under the bright indoor light. Once again, he looked very handsome, but even from this far, I could tell his pale-blue eyes were orbed dark. He was staring at me, of course, and I felt my whole being shake just a little. Suddenly, he smiled at me, that cold, dark smile of his. Then he lifted a glass of perhaps wine, as if toasting me.
"Mia," James called.
I jumped. "Huh? Oh, sorry," I managed to utter, flicking my gaze to James.
He pulled me to him by my elbow and turned me to hunky Tory.
"Mia, eh?" he said, winking.
I blushed. "Hi," I said meekly, wondering why this half-Asian god was talking to me.
"Have you been dating long?" he asked.
"Huh?" My blush intensified. "Come again?"
He laughed.
"That's enough, Tory. We're in a hurry." James interrupted. He had a scowl on his face that indicated he was pissed with where the conversation was heading.
"Ah, sorry, bro," Tory said easily, his eyes twinkling. "Want to dine with us tomorrow night? It's rare for all five of us to be here in the city at the same time."
"Shit!" James said. "Is he here, too?"
I had no idea who could have made James look so annoyed.
"Don't be such an ass, James," Tory said. "You're coming. Bring Mia,
too. She'll brighten the mood." He winked at me again, and I blushed.
I turned to James for an answer. The man, however, just nodded.
"Fine," he said, "but don't expect a friendly encounter on my part."
Tory just shrugged as if he didn't care one way or another. "Like always."
That said, the friends parted ways. As we stepped into the elevator, I turned my head to look at Tory one more time. I saw him walking into the restaurant and then take a seat opposite William. My stomach hollowed. Were they friends? Was William the one who made James so pissed?
Inside the elevator, I felt nervous all of a sudden. Not because of the numerous guards around or the fact I'd just stepped into such a classy place or that it was Las Vegas. It also wasn't the fact that there were so many people here I didn't know or that I'd just seen William, but because it'd be the first time in months since I'd seen my brother. Gosh, I really hoped he was all right.
James chuckled. I knew he found my nervousness amusing, but I really couldn't help myself.
When the door dinged on the thirty-fifth floor, I stumbled out, and James had to steady me to keep me from falling.
"Thanks," I murmured in embarrassment.
"Come on," he said, taking my hand and leading me toward the end of the hallway.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 29
Mia
We were in front of a door in no time, and James rang the bell. In an instant, it was drawn open widely, and I was greeted by one of the most intimidating men I'd ever met. James was intimidating, too, on first meeting, but at the same time, I felt drawn to him like a moth to a flame. I felt a type of an attraction to him that was difficult to break or explain.
This man standing before us, on the other hand, was just plain intimidating. He was tall and muscularly toned, with sandy-brown hair and steel-gray eyes. His aquiline features were darkly handsome, and I was pretty sure every female found him attractive. I guessed I wasn't one of those females as I stared up at him, wide-eyed, like a child who had just met her first Santa Claus.
He smiled at James, and they shook hands. Suddenly, he turned his attention to me. I felt a little uneasy as his eyes roved over me. I didn't utter a words as I stared up at him. Slowly, a hint of a smile played across his lips, and then he laughed.
"Fuck me!" Then he leaned his face closer to mine and said, "Yep. They're siblings all right." Then he grinned. He had quite a handsome smile. One that'd make every female's knees weak. "Too bad you're taken, sweetheart."
A growl came from deep within James's throat. "Hands off, Matt!" he snapped coldly.
This person is Matt? I thought in a mixture of awe, fright, and confusion. The Matt who I'd heard over the phone, the one who'd been torturing my brother? I could certainly imagine that. He looked the kind who would enjoy the vocation. And my poor brother Andy. My body shook at the thought.
Matt moved back and chuckled. "I got it. I got it," he said in response to James's threat as he held the door to let us in. "I'm not in the least bit interested in women. Don't you worry over it."
James snorted as he walked in. I filed in behind him, my eyes on the broadness of his shoulders as we came through. The moment I took a step to the side to take in the view of the place, I saw Andy, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Andy!" I cried out in both happiness and relief. "Oh, Andy!" I ran past the two men and threw myself into my brother's arms.
"Mia," Andy said, hugging me tight. "Oh, Mia, you came."
I nodded as tears brewed in my eyes. My whole body was shaking. He's fine, I told myself. He's fine.
I clung to him, not wanting to let him go as he kept whispering, "I'm sorry, Mia. I'm so sorry. I should have never come here in the first place. I was in over my head. I'm so sorry."
I shook my head and chuckled sadly. "No, it's fine. It's too late now. As long as you're fine. As long as I get to see you again."
I raised my eyes then and stared at him long and hard. Andy was a head taller than me, but he still wasn't that tall nor was he that muscular. I guessed it ran in the family, our average height and slim build.
As I gazed at him, it was almost like I was staring at my own reflection. Our features were very similar, being siblings and all. Though, his were more defined and angular. Everyone stated he was a gorgeous young man, and I agreed with them. He was too handsome for his own good and looked the type that people liked to take advantage of. And not so oddly, I knew I was put in that same category. The easy to take advantage of part, not the gorgeous part.
It was a while later that Andy and I sat in the corner of the room, talking privately with each other. I couldn't help myself. I wanted to know everything from the beginning. About how he'd come to owe James Maxwell two million dollars.
"Tell me everything, Andy," I said. "I want to know."
Andy thought about it for a bit. I saw the dilemma in his eyes, but I wasn't going to let him get away with it. We were siblings, after all, and I'd been taking care of him since our parents had passed away, since I'd been twelve and he was a mere ten-year-old boy. He owed me that much.
"Andy?" I urged.
In the corner of my eye, I noted the other two men, James and Matt, were in the open-plan kitchen, sipping coffee and having their own chitchat.
At this point, my mind also wondered why there was only one massive king-size bed in the room. It was a studio-like room. The place was just one big, open space, with the kitchen, living area, and bedroom all rolled into one. Apart from the bathroom on the other side that separated from this compartment, that was it.
I couldn't help but wonder where Andy slept. Surely, this flashy hotel room belonged to Matt. Since James did say the man partially owned and fully operated this hotel, resort, and casino, this studio was probably one of his homes.
"I was stupid, Mia." Andy began. "I thought I was doing great. I really wanted to make a better life for us, for you. When I made heaps of money, I'd buy a house and you could quit that pathetic job at the restaurant where no one values you or likes you."
I felt tears sting my eyes. He'd always cared and worried about me, this brother of mine. Hadn't he flung himself on top of me to protect me when Uncle Herbert was whipping me with a belt because I was clumsy and spilled tea on him? Hadn't he subjected himself and surrendered to Uncle Herbert's sexual assault so the disgusted man would keep his hands off me? Yes, this brother of mine really cared about me, and in his own way, he'd thought moving here to Las Vegas and starting a business would give us a better life. Only things didn't turn out the way he'd expected.
I nodded. "I know."
"So we had this plan, doing a business contract and all." He continued. "They told me to borrow money from..." He turned his gaze to James then. "Mr. Maxwell owns lots of buildings and businesses, and he even funds start-up businesses as well. So I went to him and asked. I did a presentation. I mean, our business plan was solid, Mia. It was very solid. It was going to work out. I knew it in my gut. Even Mr. Maxwell said it was a good business plan."
"But?" I couldn't stop the tremor within my voice because I knew there was a but somewhere in the story. The but that destroyed everything. The but that turned everything upside down, including my life.
"But everything fell apart. The guys hadn't planned on doing business with me from the beginning. They took the two million I borrowed and gambled it all. They lost everything."
"Oh my God," I uttered in disbelief.
"When Mr. Maxwell found out, he was livid. He wanted the money back, or else he'd... I didn't even think... They said they had nothing to do with it..." He sighed, depressed. "Because it was only my name on the loan contract. I shouldn't have believed them. I shouldn't have allowed them to manage the funds. I shouldn't have even let them have access to the account. But I trusted them, and..."
I saw fire within his dark-brown eyes, and my anger rose as well. I thought then that life was always so full of cheating, wasn't it? Life was always so unfair. Like it was unfair that our
parents' lives were snatched away from us. That we had to live with an aunt who didn't give a shit about us and an uncle who abused us.
"I wanted them to pay, so I followed them around. I had no choice, Mia. I was so pissed with them, and I wasn't just going to let it slide. It was two million. I'd do anything to get back that money. Even if the business didn't work out, I'd at least get to pay back Mr. Maxwell. So that one night, I found them in this underground trading place." He laughed sadly.
"Turns out, they were doing some sort of drug trading and shit. I don't know what happened, but I witnessed a whole lot of shit, Mia. I don't know--the drugs, the guns, and the killing." He raked his hands through his hair in frustration. His body was shaking as he continued.
"They all died. Those four bastards. They died in the shooting. The Albanian and the Mexican killed them. Then there was this other group as well. The leader is called William or something. I saw everything, and now they want me, the Albanian, the Mexican... They want me dead, Mia. Me! They want me dead just because I saw them, just because I was an eyewitness."
At this point, my whole body shook uncontrollably. I could just imagine the chaos with the shooting and people dying in that dark underground parking lot. And what about the police? Why didn't Andy go to the police in the first place?
But James's reaction on that first day back at the motel when I'd suggested the police made me pause. Were the police not to be trusted? I had no doubt these powerful, underground groups had the police under their thumbs, working secretly for them. Any eyewitness such as Andy would be dead in an instant, with full explanation such as an accident or suicide.
A shiver ran along my spine at that dark, disturbing thought.
"What about Matt?" I asked. "How does he come into play?"
Andy raised his eyes to mine and chuckled, a tint of a blush creeping across his cheeks. He licked his lips and said, "That casino those bastard lost the money in? That was this casino. It's Mr. Maxwell and Matt's place. They both own it, and Matt runs the place. When I found out that night what those bastards were doing, well, I was... I was livid. I came here and..." He chuckled sickly. "I came and made a big scene. I wanted to stop them. And I got detained by him." He raised his eyes once again to Matt, and I thought I saw a blush on his cheeks again.