You’re such a clumsy idiot.
She reached out to touch him then thought better of it. Best not to keep hurting him.
“So, I’m guessing you’re really not happy about me saying you’re mine.”
She shook her head. That wasn’t it.
“You’re not upset about me claiming you?”
She shook her head again.
He lowered his hand then stood and reached over for a washcloth that sat on one of the shelves. It was a pale blue color with a mermaid on it. He ran it under the water. She guessed he was going to put it over his eye. But then he crouched in front of her and grabbed hold of her chin. She tried to pull her head back, but he gave her a firm look.
“Stay still, baby girl.”
He started to gently wash her face. And oh, it was bliss. She didn’t realize how crusty and gross she’d felt until her face was clean. Then he moved away to turn off the bath. She noticed that he’d poured some of her colored bubble bath into it, turning the water and bubbles all green.
“Stay there.”
She opened her mouth then closed it. Useless. She dug her nails into the palms of her hands in punishment. She hated that she was this way. That she couldn’t even talk to the sexiest man alive.
Well, one of them. An image of Xavier floated through her mind. She pushed it aside.
“There is nothing in that fridge but water and an iced coffee.”
There was a coffee drink left? It must have been tucked into the back of the fridge. She looked at what he held in his hand, disappointment filling her as she realized it was water.
He crouched in front of her again, frowning as he stared down at her. What was wrong? He took her hands in his, drawing her nails away from the palms of her hands.
“No.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. He was awfully damn fond of that word. Especially when it came to her. He opened the water then lifted it to her mouth. She reached for it, but he shook his head at her. Puzzled she sucked some down then drew back.
“More,” he demanded.
He’d gone from talkative to one-word sentences. She couldn’t keep up. What had she done last night? She had these vague recollections of flying and playing the drums, but none of that made sense.
“Are you worried I’m going to push you for more than you’re ready for?” he asked abruptly.
What? No. Even though she hadn’t expected him to blurt that out, she wasn’t upset. At least not for the reasons he thought.
She shook her head.
“Are you worried about your brother finding out? I know everyone seemed to think he’d be upset. But you don’t need to concern yourself about that. I’ll be the one to deal with him. If I quit, then he’ll have no objections.”
Oh, he’d have plenty to object about. And she knew she’d have to be the one to stand between them. It was the only way to protect Brick.
“I don’t want you stressing about anything. I’ll take care of everything.”
As nice as it would be to hand over everything to him, that wasn’t the way life worked.
With a sigh, she rubbed at her temples.
Brick grabbed some painkillers from the cabinet then handed her two pills before giving her another drink of water. Leaning her head back against the wall, she closed her eyes.
“You’re upset because I breached your privacy, aren’t you?”
Her eyes shot open. His jaw was clenched. “I told you that you’d be upset in the morning. But I couldn’t leave you alone. You have to understand, I wouldn’t have come into your rooms unless I was worried about your safety. Do you hate me?”
Hate him? Was he serious?
“I know you must feel like I broke your trust. Both last night when I claimed you in front of everyone and this morning, when you found me here in your bedroom. But I swear, Juliet, I didn’t mean to—”
This time, she used her lips to shut him out. She shoved herself forward and pressed her mouth to his. He froze in shock. Then she realized that she’d just puked her guts out with that mouth and drew back just as quickly, putting her hand over her mouth.
Crap. Well, if it wasn’t bad enough that he’d seen her drunk, discovered she had a playroom and a crib for a bed, oh, and she’d probably sucked on her pacifier. Although a memory tugged at her, where she sucked on his fingers. But that had to be wrong. Because even she wouldn’t do something that embarrassing.
“Okay, so does that mean you’re not so upset with me that you want me to leave?”
She shook her head, growing increasingly frustrated with herself.
“Hey, easy. Shh. It’s okay,” he soothed her, and she suddenly realized she was making weird noises. She stopped immediately and he stood. “I’m going to find your whiteboard.”
She grabbed his hand. It was boiling up inside her. The need to set it free was overwhelming. She tugged at him.
“I’ll only be a second, Duchess. But I don’t think we can continue this conversation without some help. I need to know what’s on your mind.”
She knew exactly what was on her mind. She tugged at him again, even though she knew she wasn’t strong enough to keep him there if he actually wanted to move.
Crouching, he cupped her chin. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She grabbed his hand and drew it down. Turning it over, she used her finger to write out a word.
M.I.N.E.
He sucked in a breath. “Mine? You’re asking if you’re mine? You mean last night’s declaration wasn’t enough to reassure you? Juliet, you’re mine. If you still want me, that is.”
There was still doubt in his gaze and she hated that. She was also making a hash of this. That bubble in her stomach was about to explode. Sweat broke out on her skin. He watched her worriedly. “Are you going to be sick again?”
Was she strong enough to survive him if she opened up and he rejected her?
No.
Could she live with herself if she let him go without trying?
Shaking her head, she got onto her knees just as an alarm on his phone blasted.
“Fuck.” He jumped to his feet and raced into the bedroom to grab his phone. “What? Who? Yes, she’s up here. How did he get in? All right.”
She stood on shaky legs and moved towards the doorway.
“There’s someone coming down the drive. They had the code to the gate, but we don’t know that it’s a friend. Elias will meet him at the door, I’m going to back him up. You’re to stay in here. Until I get you. Understand me? Do. Not. Move.”
The look on his face was furious intent and she nodded shakily. She hadn’t thought about what might happen if Reuben wasn’t just being overprotective. That Brick would actually be in danger if someone came for her.
Suddenly, it became harder to breathe.
“Juliet. Stay. Here.”
Then he was gone, and she found herself sinking to her butt in the middle of her bathroom.
Breathe.
You don’t have time to lose it.
Someone was here. Someone who could hurt her.
But they’d had the gate code. Who would be able to get through? Reuben. But he’d let them know. Kiesha. But she didn’t drive.
Xavier.
That thought got her up on her feet and she stumbled towards the window, gaping down at the car she saw pull up.
Oh no.
She had to tell Brick. But he’d told her to stay here. She froze, indecision tormenting her. Juliet didn’t want to do something stupid. But she was certain that was Xavier. And he wouldn’t hurt her.
But what if Xavier got hurt? She couldn’t let that happen. He was one of her best friends.
Shoot. Shoot. Shoot.
She moved to the door and opened it, hurrying out to the top of the stairs. Lightly, she raced down to the second-floor landing so she could peek over the edge and see the front door.
“Who the fuck are you? Are you the guy who thinks she’s his?”
“I don’t know who you are,
but you need to calm down and keep your hands where I can see them,” Elias urged.
Where was Brick? She leaned over the railing. She caught sight of Elias’ broad back blocking the door.
“Get out of my way!” Xavier demanded. “I’m not letting you keep me from her. Juliet! Juliet, get down here now!”
Her feet were moving before she even thought about what she was doing.
“Juliet isn’t coming down here,” Elias warned. “And you’re not getting near her. Now, tell me your name or I’m calling the cops.”
“Call the fucking cops. Then you can explain to Ed why the fuck you’re keeping her prisoner.”
“Juliet isn’t a prisoner,” Brick said.
Oh shit. She sat and peered through the rungs of the stairs as Brick stepped up and Elias took a step back.
“Juliet!”
Xavier stepped forward. Brick pushed him back. She winced, feeling bad for Xavier. He was no slouch, but Brick was a wall. There was no getting through him.
“Let me fucking see her. Now!”
She jumped in shock. Xavier rarely swore. Rarely lost his temper. What was going on?
“Want me to call the cops, Brick?” Elias asked.
“Not yet.”
“Juliet! Get down here!” Xavier called.
“You’re getting nowhere near her. Not until I know who you are, what you want, and definitely not until you calm the fuck down,” Brick told him in a low, dark voice she’d never heard from him before.
“I’m her close friend. And you don’t get to come between us. Get Juliet, tell her Xavier is here.” Xavier was growing quieter. She didn’t think that was a good thing.
And then he shoved Brick.
Oh no. No, no, no.
She’d waited too long before intervening. Sitting here, feeling sorry for herself, and mourning what might have been. She would never have Xavier like she had once dreamed of, but she still loved him.
And she couldn’t let Brick hurt him. She also couldn’t let him attack Brick.
Because Brick was hers.
So, she found herself flying down the stairs, uncaring that she was still in her pajamas and hadn’t yet brushed her teeth and that her hair was likely a rat’s nest.
This couldn’t happen.
When she got to the foyer, Xavier and Brick were toe to toe. This wasn’t going to end well. She ran closer.
“Juliet, no!” Elias yelled out, moving towards her. Brick spun, startled, and Xavier started past him. Brick turned back and blocked him. Xavier saw the opportunity to land a punch which Brick dodged.
She had to stop them. Then she spotted the fresh vase of flowers on the hallway table. Picking it up, she threw the water and flowers at them.
Both of them froze then turned to gape at her.
“What the hell?” Brick snapped. “Juliet!”
“Don’t speak to her like that,” Xavier growled at him. Then he turned to look at her, his gaze running over her.
She was heaving for breath, hardly daring to believe she’d just done that.
“Twink? You okay?” Xavier’s voice immediately softened. Again, he tried to step past Brick, but the other man was suddenly between them. All she could see was his back.
“Last chance to leave before we call the cops,” Brick warned.
“You can’t keep her from me.”
She stepped forward and put her hand on Brick’s shoulder. He didn’t look at her. She bit her lip, feeling worried.
“Juliet, go upstairs. Now,” Brick demanded.
Oh, she wished she could do that. She really did. But she couldn’t let him call the police on Xavier. She glanced over at Elias and shook her head.
“No cops?” Elias asked. “He really is a friend?”
She nodded.
“We’re closer than friends,” Xavier demanded.
They were? What did he mean? Well, she guessed maybe he meant he was more like her caretaker. Sadness filled her at the thought.
“Really?” Elias drawled. “Then where have you been this last week?”
“I’ve been away. I didn’t know there was trouble, or I would have been here.”
“So Juliet didn’t tell you?” Elias asked.
“No,” Xavier said shortly.
Was it her imagination or did Brick’s shoulders ease?
“I only just heard that there was trouble and came over,” Xavier said stiffly.
“You seem awfully upset,” Elias said in a strange voice.
“Of course I am. Juliet means a lot to me. Twink, come here.”
She tried to get around Brick, but he moved, blocking her again.
“Thank you for taking care of Juliet,” Xavier told Brick. “But your services are no longer needed. I’ll be taking care of her now.”
“You need to go away and calm down,” Brick told him firmly. “You’re not getting near her in this state.”
“Get out of my way,” Xavier demanded.
Oh Lord. She just knew this was going to end in disaster.
18
Xavier felt crazed.
His heart was racing, adrenaline surged inside him. All he wanted to do was take down this smug asshole. To wipe that smirk off his face. Unfortunately, the bastard was built like a brick shit house.
He understood why Reuben had hired him. With his burly stature and craggy face, he’d be enough to scare off most people.
But Xavier wasn’t most people. He’d watched over Juliet for the last two years. And now this damn bodyguard thought he got to claim her?
Nobody was stealing her from him. As soon as he got rid of this asshole, he’d tell her about his feelings.
“You can go pack your stuff. I’ll make sure Reuben pays out what he owes you.”
“You can’t fire us when you didn’t hire us,” said the first man, who stood off to the side, watching them both.
“If Juliet needs bodyguards, I’ll hire them.”
“If?” the first guy asked. “You don’t think there’s a real threat?”
“Reuben is overprotective. He probably overreacted.”
“You have no idea what’s going on,” the bruiser standing between him and Juliet said. “You’d put her in danger because you think you know best.”
Fuck. He wanted to re-break this asshole’s nose.
Because Xavier didn’t know what was going on. Damn Reuben. Why did he never explain shit?
“Juliet, upstairs,” the bruiser commanded.
Xavier stiffened. “Don’t speak to her like that.” Juliet needed gentleness, kindness. “Juliet, come here.” He tried to peer around the bruiser to see her.
“For fuck’s sake, will the two of you stop it.” Elias glared at them. “Can’t you see what you’re both doing to her?”
The bruiser half-turned, letting him get a good look at Juliet. Her hair was a mess. She wore long, silky pajamas that covered her body, but her face was pale and there were dark marks under her eyes.
“Twink, aren’t you feeling well?” he asked with concern, stepping towards her.
The bruiser moved between them again.
Xavier shot him a disgusted look. “I’m not going to hurt her. I’d never do anything to hurt her. I care about her.” He turned to Juliet. “Baby, have you been sleeping? Eating?”
Her eyes widened as she stared from him to the big guy between them.
“Are you here as her friend or for some other reason?” the bruiser asked.
“What business is it of yours?”
“It’s my business because Juliet is mine.”
Anger flooded him. This asshole didn’t get to come in and steal what was his. But he managed to keep himself under control. Just.
“You’ve known her less than a week. How do I know you haven’t taken advantage of her? Does Reuben know about this? Because it seems highly unprofessional.”
* * *
Juliet didn’t understand what was going on.
Her pulse was racing. The room around her spun. She knew she
had to take a breath or she was going to pass out.
“I think the two of you should cool off,” Elias told them. “Neither of you are thinking about Juliet right now. Have you even looked at her properly?”
Suddenly, everyone’s attention was on her. Xavier seemed more upset than she would have thought. And he really couldn’t fire Brick.
She hated the thought of upsetting Xavier. But she didn’t want Brick to be upset either. The way Xavier was acting was out of character.
“Twink, look at me. I need you to breathe.” Xavier stepped forward, and this time, Brick let him.
“Georgina said you were drinking last night. You know alcohol isn’t good for you. I need to check you over, make sure you’re all right. You’re safe. I’m here. I’m going to take care of you.”
She looked from Xavier to Brick.
“Why don’t you head upstairs,” Elias said to her. “I’ll take care of things down here.”
Xavier frowned at Elias. “Juliet, come here.” Xavier crooked a finger at her. She wanted to go to him.
But she didn’t want to upset Brick. Didn’t want him to think there was something going on with Xavier. She was with Brick now. It was making her ill, not knowing what to do.
Turning, she ran.
That was what she did best, right? She ran from her problems.
* * *
Brick watched Juliet race up the stairs.
Why hadn’t she told Brick about this Xavier guy? Was she like Linda? Was she after the best offer? Xavier drove an expensive car and dressed like he had money. He could likely give her a life that Brick couldn’t. Plus, he knew her well. He already had a considerable head start.
Hell, she couldn’t even talk to Brick. What the fuck was he thinking?
Six days wasn’t enough to build a relationship.
So, you’re just going to give up?
Xavier moved towards the stairs, obviously intent on following her.
Are you just going to stand here and let him or are you going to do something?
“That’s not happening,” Elias said, stepping into Xavier’s path.
“Get out of the fucking way.” The other man’s hands were clenched into fists. It was obvious he was in good shape. But there was no fucking way he could take either of them. And the two of them together? He was toast.
Her Daddies’ Saving Grace Page 17