Page 39 of The Caress

"James?" I say it out loud, interrupting my mom and probably confusing her even more than she already was. "Mom, I need to go. I promise I’ll call you back and we’ll get this figured out, okay? I love you."

I hang up the phone as Keir’s brother strides into the living room. His eyes narrow as he looks at me. "Should have known I’d find you here. Where’s Keir?"

I haven’t seen James in a long time, but it hasn’t been long enough to forget what a monster he is. The last time we were alone in a room together, he threatened me, then tried to get physical. I’m thankful there’s some furniture standing between us this time, but I’m still ready to call out for help if he tries to pick up where we left off.

"He’s in a meeting," I answer, keeping my eyes locked onto his as I fire off a question of my own. "What are you doing here? Is he expecting you?"

"I don’t answer to the help," he snaps. "Anyway, I could ask you the same thing. I thought he left you at the airport."

God, I hate this man. Why is he always so nasty? What did I ever do to him?

"No, he didn’t leave me there." I shift my weight away from him as he circles around to the side of the sofa. "We were almost killed that day. Someone came after us with a gun."

I’m sure he already knows the details, but I’m still a little unnerved by the way his expression hasn’t changed. I might as well have been remarking on the weather.

"I heard," he says with a half-shrug. "Sounds like it was quite a spectacle. I’m sorry I missed it."

I can’t stop myself from visibly recoiling as he takes a step closer. His eyes are dull and dead, like a shark. Like a predator. I wonder if he can sense the fear rolling off me in waves like a shark could.

"I know what you want from my brother," he continues, his lip curling up into a snarl. "You aren’t going to get his money, though. Not while I’m still alive. So, why don't you do the smart, right thing? Why don't you go away? Hm? Go as far away as you can and stop scandalizing my family before something bad happens."

I can’t breathe. I open my mouth to say something—anything—but no sound comes out. He’s standing too close. I can see a flash of emotion in those dark eyes for the first time since he started talking.

Hatred.

He hates me. He also has the means and connections to do something about it. To make something bad happen, as he said.

And that scares me to death.

It’s late in the evening when James leaves, and I have a chance to speak to Keir alone. I knock on his office door and ignore the annoyed look he shoots me when I step inside.

"It’s been a long day, Ella," he says, sighing. "I hope you’re not here to fight with me, too."

"Were you fighting with James?" I ask, already knowing his brother’s visit is the reason for his foul mood. I’m just the lucky girl who gets to deal with the aftermath now that James is gone. "Did you know he was coming here today?"

"No. "I should have kicked him out, but," he pauses and wipes his brow with his hand. "But I didn’t. I should have, but I didn’t. Story of my life, right?"

He looks tired. Exhausted, really. I feel a moment of guilt for coming in here to question him when he’s clearly had a rough day.

But I’ve had a rough day, too. Mostly thanks to his brother, though the phone call with my mom certainly didn’t help matters.

"What did he want?" I press even though I know it isn’t any of my business.

"He came here to ask me not to see you anymore. To beg me, actually."

The words hit me like a ton of bricks crashing down on top of me. "Are you serious? Why does he care so much about what we’re doing? Why is he so hellbent on chasing me away?"

"He only cares about himself. His poll numbers are slipping. He thinks it’s because you and I have been in the papers almost every day since we left Glasgow."

I’m still shocked James traveled all the way to Malta to beg Keir to break up with me, though I’m not entirely surprised. I should know by now that James is capable of anything that would serve his own self-interest.

"What did you say?" I’m almost scared to ask, but I have to know the answer.

"I told him not to blame his failing campaign on me. I asked him if he’s ever considered the possibility that people just don’t like him very much." Half a smile crosses Keir’s lips. "That didn’t go over very well."

I share his smile as I shake my head. "I can imagine. I should have guessed it had something to do with his campaign when he started in on me earlier."

Now it’s Keir’s turn to look concerned and ask questions. "What did he say? Do I even want to know?"

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