MiaScott and Eric Maxwell were nothing like I’d imagined. I thought they’d be similar to James, both in looks and behavior. When I finally got to meet them, however, I was pleasantly surprised they weren’t. Sure, they had that elite aura about them like James, which awed anyone who happened to encounter them. And physically, they were tall and muscular like James too, but that was where the resemblance ended.Scott was a hunky, blond-haired, light-brown-eyed charming man that screamed sex appeal like a lion on testosterone. I had to do a double take because he was so gorgeous—as in drop-dead gorgeous—even I found it hard to tear my gaze from him. He was the type that could make a girl come in ecstasy with just a cheeky smile or wink. The moment I saw him, I knew he was both the easiest to get along with yet the hardest to get close to of all three brothers.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,
MiaI 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 door, 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 dow
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
MiaIt was midnight or early in the morning. I wasn’t sure which, but as usual, I found myself opening my eyes, a cold shiver running down my spine. My heart started to race as the fear inside me made itself known, taunting and feeding me with thoughts of a disgusting beast full of horror and revulsion that made me sick—physically, mentally, and emotionally.Soon, it would start. Soon, it would appear, this monster. And soon, I’d start screaming inside my head until I was exhausted, until I was numb from the pain. Then I’d push the memory of the horrendous episode into the deepest part of my mind, locking it away along with so many others, never allowing it to see the light of day again.I raised my eyes to look at the window where a scatter of moon rays sneaked into the small dark room. The pale light seemed cold, detached, and soulless. The longer I stared at the colorless luminosity, the more I craved the warmth of sunlight. God, I wanted the sun to rise. I wanted to see the beauti
JamesOnce the cold, hard fact sunk in that Mia Donovan—the young woman to whom he had just recently confessed his love—was kidnapped, James Maxwell became strangely calm, morbidly serious, and utterly dangerous. His eyes and demeanor were dark as he stared off into the quiet street at the telltale signs of a van making its quick escape not too long ago.Of course, he was certainly in his element now, having suddenly and without warning found himself the prey, which he’d definitely enjoy hunting.“I’ve assembled the team,” Scott said. “They should arrive soon.”Eric added, “It shouldn’t take them long.”James nodded. Then he returned his attention to their surroundings. “We need to thoroughly inspect the road. If the meeting was here, then there should be more evidence. Tire markings.”Scott nodded. “We’ll wait until the team arrives.”James agreed. “Now let’s check the surveillance recordings.”Returning to the house, the Maxwell brothers went through the surveillance records that ha
MiaI had no idea how long it had been since Herbert had left me tied to the bed in this dark, dingy room, dehydrated, hungry, and tired. As I stayed there in that uncomfortable position, my mind drifted here and there, thinking about anything and everything, but most especially about James. When I got too tired, I’d accidentally fall asleep, only to snap myself awake again a few moments later. To be sure, I didn’t want to be in such a vulnerable position when Herbert returned.The light from outside scattering in through the thin curtain was getting lighter now, which told me dawn was approaching. That meant I had been held captive for one full night already, and it sickened me to think I would be in such a dire situation. Even more so that Uncle Herbert was the culprit behind this farce and not James’ enemies, like the Mexican mafia.I licked my dry lips and then gave a quick glance at the door, my chest tight with dread as I considered Herbert’s return.As if on cue, I heard heavy
MiaIt was only a few seconds later that he returned with a bottle of water in his hand. Of course he wouldn’t leave for too long since I was fully awake.Sitting back down on the side of the bed, he handed me the bottle.I took it, thoroughly noting that the seal was not broken and the bottle hadn’t been tampered with.I twisted the lid open and then drank to my heart’s content. Once I was satisfied, I put the lid back on and returned my eyes to Herbert, who was obviously watching me with something akin to adoration.I began. “Do you do this sort of thing you’ve done to me with other—”I wanted to say children but felt rather sick thinking about that word in relation to Herbert. In the end, I decided to use the word people instead.“People? I mean do you do this sort of thing to other people, too?” I asked.Herbert furiously shook his head in the negative as he moved closer to me.“Oh, no, sweeting. Not other people. Just you and your brother. Uncle could never imagine doing that sor
Matt & AndyMatt was busy with work, as usual, that night when he received a red alert from Scott on his cell phone. They were gathering the team for an investigation, and for Matt, one of the head honchos, to get the message must mean it was very important and they wanted his involvement. Instantly, he knew it had something to do with either one of the Maxwell brothers, their family, or their very close friends.He scanned through the message and then swore loudly in disbelief. “Shit!” He raked his hand through his hair. “What the fuck? You have got to be kidding me. Mia? Kidnapped? Fuck!”He quickly logged out of his laptop and rushed out of the office. With his steps quick and his mind racing, he got into the elevator and headed straight up to the top floor of the hotel.“Andy?” he called out loudly as he went in through the door of the penthouse. “Andy?”He rushed along the hallway and then straight toward the bedroom they shared. “Andy?”As Matt opened the door and switched on th