Page 44 of Wine & Whiskey
Juan shrugs his shoulders, unconvinced. She leans forward, falling on her knees, shaking his forearms. Her voice strangled in fear, she can only whisper, “Please stop him. I’ll help you. I mean it.”
The smirk returns. Juan raises his hand and snaps his finger, causing the bodyguard to lower the rifle. “Good choice. Nick's a very lucky man.”
Her head droops forward as she takes a deep, shaky breath. Nick’s safe. All that matters is that the threat is over. With wobbly legs, she starts to sit back on the seat. Juan grabs her shoulders, making her wince at the pain of his fingers crushing her bones. “See how persuasive you can be? You better be that convincing to Nick, because next time, I won’t call it off.”
He shoves her backward before tipping his head, as if he’s gracious enough not to hurt her any more than he already has. Sliding her phone into her purse, he hands it back to her. They drive under the canopy of a skyscraper hotel, iridescent blue lights glowing across the facade. Photographers and fans line the entranceway.
Juan smooths the sleeves of his jacket, wrinkled from her begging grip. “Ready?”
Her mouth too dry to speak, she nods and rubs her hands down her bare arms, trying to ease the burn from his fingertips pinching her skin.
“I’ll escort you out. Make sure you smile pretty for the cameras.”
The driver opens the door and Juan climbs out, offering his hand to her with a chivalrous flourish. She swallows down the lump in her throat and accepts his assistance. Flashbulbs light up the driveway like the Fourth of July as she steps out of the limo. She tries to slide her hand out of his, but he tightens his grip, his fingernails digging into her skin.
People and voices blur together.Over here! Shae! Who are you wearing? Who are you with? Shae!But she seeks only one face in the crowd. An involuntary sob escapes as their eyes meet. Nick’s body radiates with anger, his jaw clenched so tight his cheek twitches.
Juan’s hot breath on her skin turns her stomach as he whispers in her ear, “Don’t make a scene. Your public is watching.”
She nods her head.
Suddenly, Nick’s arm wraps around her waist, pulling her out of Juan’s grasp. He slides her behind him, and Max’s hand presses against her back. “You son of a bitch.” Nick tips his head towards Juan, his voice unrecognizable in its fury. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”
Finally safe between them, the adrenaline keeping her going fades, and her knees buckle. Max’s hold around her tightens as she leans against his chest, and he helps her into the lobby. Two autograph seekers follow them inside.
“Shae! I’m a huge fan. Can I have your autograph?” A young woman in a pink and white polka dot dress shoves a notepad and pen in front of her. With a shaky hand, she scrawls an illegible signature. The girls shriek as a hotel security guard arrives and attempts to guide them away.
“Thank you, ladies.” Polite but firm, Max dismisses them. “But Miss Armstrong is late for an event.”
As they cross to the other side of the lobby, Nick reaches them and his hands cup her face, his eyes searching hers, searing her with his intensity. “Are you okay?”
She nods, anxious to learn about Juan’s other victim. “What about Jacks? When we drove away, he was lying in the road.”
“Max’s guys are taking care of him. He’ll be all right.” He runs his hands across her shoulders and down her arms, making her flinch as he touches her raw skin. His fingertips trace the pink marks, his face white with rage, his teeth gritted at her injuries. “He fucking hurt you.”
Max steps closer to them. “We need to get her out of here. I don’t trust Juan and his guys not to try something else.”
Nick leads her down the corridor with Max following behind. She can barely keep up with his long, quick strides, his fingers curling into a fist against her rib cage. Walking out of her heels, she stumbles. “Nick, please slow down. You’re frightening me.”
He stoops down and slips his finger through the straps. Looking around, he guides her to a door markedAuthorized Personnel Onlyand shoves it open. Once inside, he drops her shoes, the rhinestones scraping against the tile floor. He envelops her in his arms so tightly she can’t tell where her trembling from fear ends and his shaking from anger begins. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe I let Juan get to you.”
A silver cart stacked with eight trays of dinner salads sits next to a stainless steel counter covered with baskets of rolls. Clinking silverware and muted voices drift down the hallway. A man in a red jacket and black pants opens the door and reaches for the handle. His eyes widen at them standing in the restricted area.
Nick presses her against the wall and lays his cheek against hers, blocking her face from the waiter’s view. He whispers in her ear, “I don’t want to give him anything to gossip about.”
She clings to him, clutching the lapels of his tuxedo, her body weak with both relief and gratitude they’re safe and together. As the rattle of the cart wheels against the concrete dies away, Nick lifts his head, worry darkening his blue eyes. “What did he say to you?”
“He said if I didn’t promise to convince you to work with him he would…” Her voice catches in her throat. The gravity of his threats even more ruthless when saying them out loud. “His bodyguard was going to shoot you as we pulled up to the hotel if I didn’t agree. And, if I failed, he would kill me.”
His body stiffens. Shivers trail down her body at the dark expression crossing his face. A stranger stands in front of her. The Nick she knows and loves replaced by a man engulfed with anger and vengeance. She caresses his cheek and meets his gaze, trying to bring him back from the fury gripping him. “Nick? It’s over. I’m fine.”
He blinks, almost in surprise, as if she hasn’t been here all along. “I’ll have Max get the car, and we’ll go home.”
Home.A word meant to invoke feelings of peace and relaxation, a sanctuary from the outside world. Tonight, however, it means a boys’ club intent on exacting revenge. Her stomach clenches at the realization of what this man and his life are all about. He will soothe her and make her feel safe before relegating her to the cinema room or deck while he holes up in his office with Max and Carter, the three men plotting retaliation against Juan and his threats.
Her head swims from the surge of emotions invading her mind and heart. If she can keep Nick here, focused on something other than revenge, maybe she can prevent the battle from turning into a war. This glimmer of hope buoys her enough to mask her feelings and try to get back the Nick she loves. She takes a deep breath and smiles at him. “What about the gala? You can’t miss it. It’s important to you.”
His eyes widen, and he shakes his head. “My God, Shae. You’re what’s important to me. We're leaving.” Anger lurks beneath the surface of his calm appearance, his face red hot, his breathing labored. “Let me help you with your shoes.” He bends down and slips them on her feet before rising and taking her in his arms again, making her tremble at his intensity. “I love you.”
She closes her eyes and lies against his chest, hopeful it’s enough.
