Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
DUNCAN
The next day we exchange our gifts. I hand her a small package, and explain as she opens it, "When you told me the story about your mum getting you the angels, I couldn't help myself. Is it okay?"
"I love it. Thank you, Duncan."
I got her a delicate blown glass angel ornament when she was getting her hair done yesterday. I also got her a heavy-duty body armor vest to protect her. She got me a leather bomber jacket and 25-year-old scotch.
The telephone rings as I'm just about to lean forward to kiss her and find the next surface to take her on. I jump up and answer it as I smile at her.
"Hello."
"Mr. Preston, there was a gentleman here who bypassed me. I tried to detain him, but he hit me. He should be coming to your door now," the guard from the security desk reports.
Just then, there's a banging on my door. I walk to the door, grabbing my gun from the hiding spot under the entry table. I turn to see Maya has her gun and is right behind me. I try to push her back as a voice comes through the door.
"You'd better let me the fuck in there. Maya, I'll shoot the locks and come in for you." I turn to see she has a look of complete shock on her face.
"Who's that, Maya?" I ask her.
"It's Greg. We forgot to call him last night," she says sheepishly. I turn to look into the display and see he's getting his gun out to do as he said. I push the intercom button.
"Just a moment, Greg, I'll let you in." I walk back to the entry table and hide my gun again, then unlock the door and let him in.
He barely crosses the threshold when he takes a swing at me.
I step back, raise my hands up to block, but he drops and sweeps my legs from under me, sending me to the floor.
I hear the elevator doors open and Joshua busts through the door.
"What the bloody hell is going on in here?" Joshua asks as Greg goes to kick me. Maya throws herself between us and deflects it with her shin.
She steps into Greg and wraps her arms around him.
"I'm okay. I'm fine. Calm down," she begs him. I jump up to grab her away from him, but Joshua pulls me back. I watch as Greg instantly calms and wraps her close.
"Sweetheart, I thought I lost you too. I heard about the shooting and all I could see was you dead, just like her." Tears run down his face. I'm torn to the core watching this man come undone.
"I'm okay, I swear. I'm so sorry I forgot to call you. I'm okay." She soothes him again.
I watch his hands slide up into her hair and tip her head back to look into her eyes. My instant moment of jealousy is followed by complete awe as I watch him look her in the eye and see his love for her. She's not as alone as she thinks.
"Maya, sweetheart, I can't lose you too. I love you as if you were my own flesh and blood. Please don't scare me like that again," he begs her.
"Okay, I'm sorry." They both turn to look at Joshua, who’s still holding me back.
"Joshua, sorry for the guard downstairs. Duncan, part of me wants to take her from here right now to protect her, but I know you'll protect her," Greg says as he still holds her tightly to his side.
"I'll make coffee," Maya says as she steps from his arms and walks the short distance to me. She kisses my cheek and walks away before I can hold her close.
"Greg, come in and sit, we can talk about what happened," Joshua says, snapping me from my stupor.
"Yes, please, Greg, come sit down." We all walk into the living room.
After explaining the incident last night and confirming with him his thoughts, we enjoy an excellent breakfast and decide to keep everything status quo to see what happens.
Greg leaves without explaining his behavior and I wonder more at their bond.
I know that she's not sleeping with either of them, but what's going on?
We head to my dad's home for Christmas dinner. Jonathon calls to say that Ana is sick and sends her love. I can see Maya isn't happy with this any more than I am. We don't tell Father about the shooting or the break-in of her condo.
I watch Greg as he keeps a close eye on Maya, and I finally walk over to him and pull him to the library.
"Greg, is there more you're not telling me?" I ask casually.
"Duncan, she's going to push you away. She thinks the only way to protect those she cares for is to keep them at arm's length. The way she looks at you tells me she's trying to work it through. You'll want to keep an eye on her closely and know that she cares. I actually think she loves you."
"I care about her too. I'll not allow her to push me away," I say confidently.
"You really need to understand her better. You'll have no chance to stop her." He laughs at me.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask angrily. How dare he tell me I don't know my girl.
"Okay, you try. She'll run. I know her better than most. She tried it with Derek and me; she won for a short time and got away from us.
I fly out tomorrow to head back to DC. Take care of her and be careful.
" He shakes my hand and walks back to the parlor where Maya and my father are talking about the upcoming New Year's Eve ball.
He still didn't explain to me what was going on.
Instead, I now worry about her pushing me away.
Maya
The next week Ana doesn't come around at all. Finally, it’s New Year's Eve and I call her to confirm she's coming here to get ready.
She shows up at about three and looks so pale.
Maybe she is sick. I show her the bracelet and heavy-duty tactical vest Duncan got me for Christmas.
She says Jonathon got her earrings and some other presents but doesn't elaborate, and I don't push.
We're dressed and getting ready to step out into the living room where the men are waiting.
Well, except for Jonathon, he'll meet us there.
I can see that Ana is nervous. She insisted on dressing in the bathroom, which makes me worry that she's visibly bruised and hiding it from me.
The lace back and cap sleeves of her red, slender, straight dress is breathtaking.
If she had any wounds, would I notice them? Damn, I hope I would. She's so very shy and distant now. I want her to come away with me so I can bring my friend back.
I've left my hair down and flowing down my back in loose curls.
Ana did my makeup. She gave me what she calls a smoky eye.
If I wear makeup, it's usually a powder, mascara, bronzer, and a little lipstick.
Ana has done a complete makeup job on me and I feel beautiful and sexy, not overdone.
As we walk out, the raised voices of James and Duncan stop.
Duncan starts shaking his head as he looks at me.
"Baby, you look gorgeous, but there's no way you're leaving my flat in that dress. I'd kill any man who looked at you." I smile and twirl for him.
"Honey, I thought you'd like it." My dress is white with a bright blue and green baroque pattern, a deep plunging neckline, open back, and a slit up the front he hasn't noticed yet. I’m wearing the silver stiletto heels and stop and push out one of my legs through the slit so he can see the whole effect.
"Bugger me, Maya, are you trying to get me arrested? I'll kill any man who looks at your legs like I am right now."
Ana and I both giggle and James just rolls his eyes.
James is wearing another traditional black tux and, this time, Duncan is in a gray one.
"Son, I'm glad to see I'm not the only Preston man to have a jealous streak, but you're not going to get her to change.
I've known her many years and it's nice to see another man try to control her.” He turns to look at me.
“By the way, Maya, I love the dress. Ana, you look exquisite, I like the red.
" James smiles at both of us, then walks to Ana so she can take his arm.
She smiles sweetly at her father, then looks at her brother.
"Duncan, be nice. Maya is wearing a dress. I picked it out."
"Thank you, dear sister, because I swear this night isn't going to be easy.
That dress from Christmas Eve was bad enough, but this one is over the top sexy.
For all your information, I'm not jealous, I'm territorial.
I'm protecting what's mine," he growls at me and walks over to put my cape on, then bends down and kisses me.
"I swear, Maya, they'll die, so warn anyone that looks at you."
"Yes, darling." I giggle.
When we arrive, Jonathon takes one look at me and rolls his eyes, he then looks at Ana, and I can see the anger in his eyes.
He grabs her arm and drags her off. I can't hear what he's saying but she's nodding and it looks like apologizing.
For the rest of the evening he keeps her in the back, except for the one time I see James dance with her.
Duncan couldn't get her to dance and he has barely left my side.
Both Lawrence and Stephan have tried to cut in or ask for a dance, but Duncan sent them packing.
Uncle Marcus asks me to dance and as we're gliding across the floor, he pushes me away and into Lawrence's arms. I immediately step back from them both.
"Marcus, what're you doing? I will not dance with Lawrence," I say and stand in place. I look around for Duncan. Marcus is becoming a problem for me. Lawrence is just a pain.
"Yes, you will. He wants to apologize and try to win you back." Marcus then proceeds to walk off.
"I'm not dancing with you, Lawrence."
"Yes, you will, Maya. You don't want to cause a scene," he sneers at me. People already have to dance around us and are giving us a wide berth.
"Want to make a bet. I don't care, and I'll make a scene. Step away from me now." He reaches for me and I grab his hand and twist it behind his back. "I told you to step away. Don't touch me or I'll break this arm." I push him away as I feel Duncan come up behind me.
"Oi, you little wanker, you better get the bloody hell away from my girl. Don't make me say it again." Lawrence walks off and Duncan pulls me into his arms as we finish the dance.
I feel like I'm being watched. The prickle of unease has been happening all night but are more so now.
As Duncan and I glide around the dance floor, I look out on everyone to see if anyone stands out.
I don't recognize anyone until a lone person at the back of the ballroom, hidden in the shadows, catches my eye.
I turn my head to look at him as we glide away to the other side of the dance floor, and he's gone. My unease continues.
At midnight, I kiss Duncan and pray he's in my life next year too. He smiles after our kiss and looks me in the eye. Maybe he's thinking the same. I know I need to protect him though.
"Baby, I want to take you home and show you what this dress has done to me all night," he whispers in my ear.
"Okay, let me say goodbye to James and Ana."
"Jonathon dragged Ana out of here while you and Lawrence were arguing. That was what took me so long to get to you. Father is over there." He points across the room.
"He took her out before midnight?"
"He said she wasn't feeling well. She looked pale, but she always does when she's around him." We walk over to James and I kiss him good night.
Marcus is sitting with him and I just nod to him. I don't trust him anymore. Something has changed between us and he isn't the same man I thought he was. Maybe he's never been the man I thought. I want to think that over more, but I also only want to think of the man who's holding me to him.