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  She whistles low. “I told you this guy was bad news.” She pours two hefty glasses of whiskey.

  “No, you told me to get his vase, get the money, then fill up a tub and roll around in all the bills.”

  She snorts and hands me a glass. “I must’ve been drunk.”

  I raise my glass in salute, and we both drink.

  “What’s with the girl?” She tries to play it cool and fails miserably.

  “Everything.”

  “Everything is with the girl?” She raises a brow.

  “She’s the reason the vase is gone. I saw her getting kidnapped.”

  “And you stepped in?”

  “Yes.” I shrug. “I wasn’t going to. I was going to leave. Just put the vase in the car and go.”

  “But you didn’t.” She downs her whiskey.

  “But I didn’t,” I agree. I couldn’t. Not when I heard her voice, saw her face, felt her fear. I couldn’t leave her. I’ve done tons of underhanded shit, morally gray shit, hell, morally black shit. But she was the one line I couldn’t cross. I had to help her. Even now, I’m thinking about her, about going upstairs and climbing into bed with her. Inhaling her scent and touching her soft hair while she sleeps and is none the wiser.

  “So now what?”

  I down the rest of my whiskey. “Now I have to–”

  A bloodcurdling scream cuts through the air, and I’m on my feet and running full speed toward the sound. Toward Milly.

  6

  Milly

  Giant yellow eyes stare at me as I continue to scream, unable to move. I’d been jolted awake by something landing hard on my chest. My eyes had flown open to see the bright yellow ones staring back at me.

  Light floods the room. It takes me a minute to get my bearings, but I immediately stop screaming when I realize I have a fur baby sitting on top of me.

  “Kitty!” I gasp. I can’t believe I didn’t scare the thing by screaming in its face. “I’m so sorry.” I grab it, hugging it tightly to my chest. It wiggles around in my arms as I kiss the top of its fluffy head. The sound of its loud purrs are comforting.

  “Scarab,” Mateo half growls from the doorway. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath as if he’s trying to calm himself down.

  “Are you okay?” I ask.

  “Yeah, I thought…” He trails off. I can’t help but smile. He was worried something had happened to me. Those butterflies I always read about girls having in my books explode inside my stomach. I never thought they were real, but they clearly are. “I told you to not bother her,” he says pointedly to the innocent little fur angel in my arms. “I’m sorry if he scared you.”

  “He can bother me whenever he wants.” I place a few more kisses on the top of the cat's head. “I can’t believe you have a cat.” It meows, wiggling around more, wanting me to let him go. I reluctantly do. I expect him to take off to get away from me, but he doesn’t. Instead, he drops down right next to me in the bed and makes himself comfortable.

  “Are you actually going to sleep with her?” Mateo comes to stand on the side of the bed, staring down at the both of us. Scarab nudges my hand to pet him some more.

  “Is he a cuddle bug?” I ask as I pet him.

  “No.” Mateo glares at his cat.

  “He can sleep with me. I’ll turn him into a cuddle bug in no time.”

  “I’m sure you will,” he mumbles. He says it so low that I barely catch it.

  “Do you not want me to?” I pull my hand back from petting Scarab.

  “You’re fine. I’m just surprised at his behavior.”

  “I always wanted a cat, but my brother and father are both allergic. I’d gotten one for my birthday one year, but my brother Henry broke out in hives, and we had to rush him to the hospital. I was so scared. I thought—” I stop speaking, not wanting my mind to drift back to that night when I thought I was going to lose my brother. He’s a jerk sometimes, but I still love him. “My brother! Mateo, I have to call him. He could be in danger!” I scramble to get up from the bed.

  “Hold up.” Mateo catches me when I start to trip over my legs that got tangled in the bedding.

  “What if they tried to kidnap him after they couldn’t get me? He has bodyguards, but I have to check on him,” I plead. My fingers dig into the front of his shirt.

  “All right, we can call him.” Relief fills me immediately. I’m sure my brother is fine with all the protection he has, but hearing his voice will make me feel better. Mateo lifts me from the bed, placing me on my feet. “Your legs okay?” He slowly releases his hold on me to make sure I have my balance.

  “I think so. You patched me up pretty good. Thanks again for that.”

  “I’ll carry you if you need.” I’m in his arms before I can form a response. I could get used to this.

  “You going to carry me around like I’m a princess all the time?” I tease. When we pass Mrs. Verne in the hallway, I give her one of those royal waves Queen Elizabeth is always doing.

  “If that’s what’s needed.” He walks into his office and sets me down in the chair at his giant desk. I watch as he opens one of the drawers. I peek inside to see a bunch of phones are stacked in there. He grabs one, powering it on before he plugs it into his computer.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making the line secure. What’s your number?” he asks. I ramble it off. His fingers gracefully move along the keyboard. A bunch of things I don’t understand start popping up. “Your brother’s?” he asks next before handing me the phone. “Don’t tell him where you are.”

  “That’s easy. I don’t know where I am.”

  Mateo smirks. “Good girl. If he knows you’re not at your place then say you’re with a friend.”

  “He’ll know I’m lying.” As soon as I admit that, I wish I could take it back. Mateo’s eyebrows pull together. Great. Way to make yourself look even more pathetic, Milly. The last thing I want Mateo to feel toward me is sympathy. Why can’t I ever come off as cool or something?

  “You don’t have any friends?”

  “It’s a new school and–” I lick my lips. “I’m kind of odd. I’m not great at reading social cues.”

  “You’re not odd, Milly. You’re different.” I flinch at his words.

  “Shit, that didn’t come out how I meant it to. Maybe I’m not good with people either.” His smile makes me smile back at him. “What I meant to say is normal is boring and the last thing I’ve been since you entered my life is bored.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” I could melt into a happy pile of goo right now. “It’s ringing.”

  “Ringing?” I ask, confused. That is until I hear my brother's voice come through the phone. “Oh.”

  “Mills?” Henry repeats.

  “Hey, I was checking in.”

  “Checking in? It’s after midnight.”

  “Right. So—” I pause when I hear a giggle in the background. “Tell Tara I said hi.”

  “Who is Tara?” the woman huffs. Oops.

  “Knock it off,” he tells the girl. “Told you to be quiet.” I hear him shuffle around, and a few seconds later I hear a door close. I never understand how he keeps all these girls around or keeps them straight, for that matter. He can be a bit of a jerk to them. Then again, I think most know what they are getting when they decide to mess with Henry.

  I was shocked when he told me he had a girlfriend. Normally, they are all flings or whatever you call them. I guess he and Tara are over.

  “Tara is studying for a test. We’re headed out to Fiji after she takes it tomorrow.”

  Is he cheating on her? That's terrible, I debate telling him that, but then again, what if he and that girl are only friends? Boys and girls can be friends. This isn’t the Stone Age. Though if Mateo was my boyfriend, I wouldn’t want him hanging out with another girl. Especially after midnight.

  “You there?”

  “I forgot you’re going away.” He always gets to do fun things like that. I never get to do any
thing. Then again, I don’t have anyone to do anything with.

  “Are you going home for spring break?”

  “No, why would I do that?” I ask, making Henry laugh.

  “I hear that. So what’s up? Why the late call?”

  Mateo leans up against the desk, watching me talk.

  “Something happened tonight. I think someone tried to kidnap me.”

  “The fuck? Seriously?” he half-shouts through the phone. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine. Someone saved me. They got my backpack, though.”

  “So it was a robbery?”

  “I think they were trying to kidnap me. Not just thieves.” In fact, I’m sure of it.

  “Shit, you tell Dad? He’s going to make us come home. Fuck,” he grumbles, the line going quiet for a long moment.

  Mateo looks to be getting angry.

  “I didn’t tell Dad.” I’d kind of forgotten that maybe I should. Heck, I forgot to call my brother when it first happened. I’d been so caught up with Mateo rescuing me. He’s rather distracting.

  “You’re okay?”

  “Yes, I’m great.”

  “Great? That’s a weird reaction to have after being robbed and almost kidnapped.”

  “I made a friend.”

  “That’s good, I guess.” I don’t have to see Henry to know the face he’s making right now. It’s the puzzled one he gives me a lot.

  “I was just worried and wanted to check on you.” I feel better having heard his voice.

  “I’m fine, but if you tell Dad, he’s going to make us both come home.”

  My stomach sours at that. I hate that house. I don’t want to spend any more time there than I have to.

  “Let’s not tell him,” I suggest. “You go on your trip, and I’ll stay with my friend where it’s safe.” It’s spring break after tomorrow. I’m out of classes for the next week.

  I peek up at Mateo when I realize I’ve pretty much invited myself to stay at his house without asking. His face is unreadable, but he hasn’t said I can’t stay, so I’m taking that as a good sign.

  “I don’t know,” Henry sighs through the phone. “Who’s the friend? I thought you hadn’t really made any.”

  “This one’s new but trustworthy.”

  He grumbles a little, then asks, “Wait, is she hot?”

  “Henry!”

  “What?”

  “Look, if we tell Dad, you’ll miss your trip,” I remind him. “I’ll stay with my friend and then maybe we’ll tell Dad when you get back.”

  “You sure about this?”

  “Yep. It’s perfect.” I chirp, loving this idea more and more.

  “All right. Don’t make me regret this, little sister.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Fine. I’ll see you when I get back. Be safe, Milly.”

  “I will. Have fun.”

  “I love you, sis.”

  “Love you too,” I respond before ending the call.

  I peek up through my lashes as I hand the phone back to Mateo. His stony expression worries me. Have I overstayed my welcome already?

  7

  Mateo

  “What?” She snuggles back down into the blankets, Scarab already letting out a faint kitty snore.

  “Nothing.”

  She wrinkles her nose. “You sure?”

  “I just … I just don’t like how he didn’t ask more questions. A good brother would’ve–”

  “Henry’s a good brother.” She shakes her head. “You just don’t know him like I do.”

  I give her a stern stare.

  “Well, I mean, yes, he can be sort of selfish at times. But that’s the way my father raised him. As heir to–” She slaps a hand over her mouth.

  “Heir?” I knew there was more to Milly than just a girl being randomly attacked. But the more I’m with her, the more my suspicions grow. “You know why they tried to kidnap you, don’t you?”

  She doesn’t look me in the eye. “I’m not sure.”

  “How do you know the whole thing wasn’t a setup and I’m the real kidnapper?”

  She snorts a cute little laugh. “You almost ditched me in the parking lot. Remember? I had to beg you to help me.”

  “That was a mistake.” I don’t know why those words spring from my lips, but after I’ve said them, I know they’re true. I should’ve gone to her right away. The vase be damned. I know I would have tracked her back down. There is something about her I can’t shake.

  “If you don’t want me to stay here, I can–”

  “You’ll stay.” I sit beside her, and Scarab gives me a half glance before stretching out beside her. “I want you to. If they tried that hard to get you, they’ll try again. I just don’t understand why you won’t tell me who you are.” I’ll find out soon enough. All it’ll take is a little digging. Hell, Mrs. Verne may have already figured it out by now. Nothing gets past that woman.

  “It’s … complicated.” She sighs. “And I was trying to make it uncomplicated by going to college and keeping a low profile. But it didn’t work out.” She yawns. “I think maybe I need to sleep on all of it, you know? I always feel better in the morning.”

  I stand. There’s no way I’m keeping her from getting some rest.

  “Stay?” She reaches out and takes my hand. “Please?”

  I should say no. After all, I have a trip to plan, one that’ll include an additional passenger. I can’t leave her here. Not after what happened. Mrs. Verne could probably fight off a bear if she had to, but she’s getting older. If there were as many men as showed up in that parking lot, I don’t think she’d come out on top.

  “I’m sorry. I know I’m needy and weird. I just really want you to stay here with me. Maybe, I don’t know, maybe I’m still scared inside, you know?” She pulls her hands away and presses her palms to her cheeks.

  “Don’t be sorry.” I can’t say no to her. “Hang on a second.” I trot to the bathroom and change into a T-shirt.

  When I get back to bed and crawl in beside her, she turns toward me, her eyes still luminous in the low light. “Thank you,” she whispers, then reaches out to scratch behind Scarab’s ears. He rolls over and stretches, more comfortable than I’ve ever seen him.

  I itch to reach out to her, but first I’d have to knock Scarab out of the way. Not to mention, I should keep my hands to myself. She’s just an innocent girl, not someone who should ever get mixed up with me. Maybe she thinks she wants to, but that’s just the shock talking. “Just rest. You’re right. Everything will be better in the morning.” I settle in and listen for her to fall asleep.

  When I wake, the first thing I notice is the warm, soft body up against me. The second is my hard cock. Somehow I’ve pulled one of Milly’s thighs over me, and I’ve got the head of my cock pressed against her panties.

  She moans low in her throat and moves her hips.

  Fuck, this feels good. So goddamn good. I thrust forward, and the little gasp that escapes her is beyond erotic.

  Her eyes are still closed. Shit, I have to stop this. I lean back, but her little hands grip my shoulders as she tries to keep me close.

  “You’re killing me here,” I groan.

  Her eyes flutter open.

  “Milly.”

  Her gaze flits to my mouth. I’m already staring at hers, at the way her pink lips pucker a little as she sleeps.

  “Hi,” she says brightly, but she still hasn’t given up her hold on me.

  “Morning.” I lick my lips.

  She follows the movement. My cock is still pressed against her pussy, only the fabric of my briefs and her panties separating us. I have the urge to flip her on her back and rip away everything between us. God, the mental image almost has me coming.

  I grab her wrists and pull her loose from my shoulders, then ease backward. When the warmth of her cunt is gone, I curse myself for backing away. But it’s for the best.

  “Oh, sorry.” She shakes her head.

  “Don’t be s
orry. No more of that word.” I pull the blanket around my waist then turn and stand.

  “Is something wrong?”

  Other than the fact I woke up about two milliseconds away from fucking you? “Nothing’s wrong. I just have some work to do.” I hurry to the bathroom, keeping my erection out of sight as best I can.

  “Work? In the bathroom?” she asks as I close the door.

  Fucking hell. “I’ll be out soon,” I call. “How are you feeling?”

  “Confused about you leaving, glad that I’m here, and much less afraid than yesterday.”

  Milly is so quirky. Honest to a fault. Nothing like me. Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to her.

  “Good.”

  “I like it here,” she adds.

  “I’m glad.” I really am. She definitely seems comfortable in my bed. I glare at my erection that still hasn’t relented. “But we’re going to be doing some traveling. We’ll leave this afternoon. Is that all right?”

  “Where are we going?” Her voice is louder. Oh, shit. Is she coming to the door?

  “Paris.”

  She gasps. “Really?”

  “Really. I have some work to do there. Shouldn’t take more than a day or two.”

  “I’m so excited!” she squeals.

  She’s so close. Right outside the door. “Good. I’ll have Mrs. Verne get you all set up for travel. You’ll need clothes and other things. She can get it all in short order, and we’ll be flying in a private jet, so no worries there.”

  “This is like a dream.” She leans against the door.

  I lean, too. And I agree with her. Last night seems like a dream, and waking up to her in my bed–that’s the sweetest dream I’ve ever experienced.

  “You sure you won’t tell me who you are, Milly?” I hold my breath.

  I can feel her retreating from the door. “I’m nobody. At least that’s what my dad says.”

  I hate the hurt in her voice, and I suddenly have a very real need to punch her father in the face. “That’s not true.”

  “I’ll tell you. I promise. Just give me a little time. Okay?”

  I can do that. For now. One thing’s certain: No matter who she is, I’ll protect her.