Chapter Twenty-Two
Phoenix
Maila followed my gaze. “You know her.”
It wasn’t a question, and I wouldn’t have answered it under any circumstances. Especially not when I was taken completely off guard.
The woman from the lobby.
Not just any woman.
Red dress, bare shoulders, high heels, hair tamed into long, sleek locks, my little trespasser moved like a goddamn seductress.
Struck, I fucking stared.
“Jesus, Will. She’s younger than me.”
What the hell was she doing here? “I didn’t say I knew her, and you’re younger than Adam.”
“Now you use his name?” My sister glanced back at a woman who’d picked locks with a barrette, held a knife to one of my men’s throats, and managed to cannibalize my thoughts for all the wrong reasons. “She must really—”
“Excuse me.” I stood.
“You’re not excused. I had to witness enough of your escapades growing up. If you’re going to chase that poor woman, I’m not staying.”
“Yes, you are.” If only to witness the epic shit storm that was about to become my evening.
“Is that an order?”
“Drink your wine, Maila.” Aiming to intercept and avoid a scene, I strode to the table across the restaurant just as the hostess seated her.
Her.
Christ.
From trespassing squatter with a sniper overwatch to femme fatale in a low-cut, fitted dress that showed off her curves and the fact that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
My hand already in my pocket, I pulled out the folded hundred I’d intended to give the valet after dinner.
Palming it, I handed the bill to the hostess. “She’s not dining here this evening.” Or any other night. “Escort her out.”
The little trespasser laughed.
The color drained from the hostess’s face. “My apologies, sir. I was told by management to seat her.”
By management? “Then give us a moment.”
The hostess couldn’t leave fast enough.
The little trespasser, unlike my sister, smiled wide like she was happy to see me. “Well, this is interesting. Are you following me?” She briefly glanced past me, then fished for intel. “I don’t think your wife would approve.”
I didn’t correct her. “Once may have been happenstance. Twice isn’t.” This wasn’t a coincidence. “What are you doing here?”
“Once or twice what? Meeting you? And what does it look like I’m doing?” She picked up the menu. “Same as you, I’m having dinner.” She nodded toward my table. “Except I’m not rudely leaving my date unattended.”
“She’s not my date.”
“Right.” She smirked. Then, setting the menu down and leaning an elbow on the table, she rested her chin on her hand and peered up at me.
“So tell me….” The little minx winked. “Is she the jealous type? Should I tell her what you like to do in the South of France? Or maybe she knows? Maybe you made her kneel too? Fed her? Locked her in one of your fancy cabins?”
“You’re leaving.”
Leaning back in her chair, she crossed her arms and smiled like she had me pegged. “Oh, I’m definitely not going to do that.”
“Get up, Isla.”
“Or what?” she asked with sudden, fake innocence. “You’ll pull out your Navy SEAL Sig, point it at my heart, and tell me to get on my knees in a Michelin star restaurant?”
So help me. “Five seconds.”
“Funny. Last time I saw you, you were throwing me into your helicopter, then locking me in a cabin on your mega yacht, all the while claiming you didn’t kidnap women.
But now?” She glanced around the restaurant at no less than two dozen people watching us.
“No big boat in sight, and you can’t wait to get rid of me.
Is that because your wife looks mad as hell? ”
Bravado, jealousy, and attitude.
The exact shit storm I was hoping to avoid.
Before I could do any more damage control, my sister hit my six and stirred the storm.
“Good evening.” Cool, distant, collected, she flanked me. “I’m Maila. You are?”
The little trespasser extended her hand. “About to apologize for interrupting your evening.” She smiled politely. “Isla. And I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I was just leaving.” My sister briefly shook her hand, then glanced at me. “Will—”
“Maila,” I warned.
Giving me a pointed look before she turned to leave, she didn’t say another word.
The little trespasser watched her go. “She’s beautiful.” Then her blue-eyed gaze landed back on mine. “Will, huh?”
“Get up, Isla.”
“You seem to be collecting names. Do you give a different one to each woman?”
Without warning, I yanked her chair out. Then I leaned down to her ear, and that’s when I smelled it.
My fucking cologne.
Gripping her wrist, I applied no little amount of pressure. “Stand or I’ll do it for you.”
“Well, with that invitation, how can I resist?” Tucking her small purse under her arm, then grabbing her drink, she stood.