19 Mia

I headed to a small, rundown takeaway and ordered myself the cheapest meal available. Munching up the burger, deliciousness playing havoc with my taste buds, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to enjoy the moment. When I opened them again, I blinked. There on the street sat the sleek black car I'd seen back at the motel. Curiosity ate at me, and I found myself staring at it harder, wondering who it belonged to. Surely it was too expensive for anyone staying at the crappy motel. Unless, of course, he or she had no choice because nowhere else was available.

I took a sip of the soda and felt the buzz of the cold fizziness dancing in my mouth. It was heaven. I took more bites of the burger and, now and again, popped in some French fries as I continued to watch the car.

When I'd finished my food, I was still hungry, and the car was still there. Well, it had only been a mere fifteen minutes, so the owner must have been having a great, hearty meal somewhere in one of those flashy, expensive restaurants.

I got up, disposed of my garbage, and headed out the door. It was still lovely and warm, and once again, my mind switched to Andy, wondering how he was faring. I hoped he was all right. My mind wandered off to the two million dollars I had to find by Friday.

Drugs! I should do drug dealing. That made you heaps of money in a short space of time, right? Yeah. Drug dealing. Just needed to know the right people.

What if I got bashed though? And then killed in the process? Even worse, caught? With the way things were going, I wouldn't know how to get myself out of the mess. No, I couldn't do drugs.

What about robbery? Yeah, bank robbery. But then again, it would have to be a state-of-the-art plan. A high school dropout who'd been working as a kitchen hand to make ends meet wouldn't even know how to pick a lock with a hairpin.

Doomed! I was utterly and seriously doomed.

I lifted my head as I came down the footpath and saw the black car still there. I eyed it curiously as I walked past, trying to see inside. Of course, the windows were tinted, and I couldn't make out anything.

I passed it and shrugged, returning my attention to the various illegal methods of making loads of money in two days—the get-rich-quick scheme.

I was just thinking about contacting one of the business moguls for a loan when I heard screeching of tires against asphalt. I curiously glanced over my shoulder, and my eyes rounded in dread. The black car did a hard-out reverse and then veered onto the sidewalk. I staggered back, missing being hit by a mere inch.

It halted and the door swung open.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice shaking. Didn't the damn driver see me, the pedestrian, walking?

The moment that handsome face of James Maxwell greeted me, I paled and my stomach lurched with dread.

"Get in the car," he instructed firmly.

"Why? What for?" I asked stupidly.

I knew when a guy asked you to get into his car, you ran in the opposite direction. But James Maxwell was smart and cunning. He lured me with my weakness. He flicked up a cell phone. "A call. Your brother."

My heart skipped a beat. Hope rose within my chest. I was conned. "I want to see him," I said.

"You'll see him when you've decided," he said. "Now get in the car." He narrowed his eyes, and I knew he was up to no good. "Or should I aid you?"

He was beside me before he even finished the question, wrapping his large, strong hand around my slim arm. A tantalizing sensation rushed through me. I responded by jerking back. He held on firmly, drawing me back to him. Without knowing it, I found myself following him to the other side of the car. He made me slip in, and before I could protest, he shut the door. He was in the driver's seat a moment later.

I turned to him, waiting for him to initiate the call to my brother. When he started the engine, I panicked. "Where are you taking me?" Then, "To see my brother?"

He turned his attention to me, his brow raised. He leaned over me, and I automatically pulled back. With his face only inches from me, he said, "Seat belt."

I just stared at him. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where my brother is."

He moved closer, his nose now touching mine and his lips so close if he moved any farther, he'd be kissing me, again, for the third time today.

I swallowed when his hand grabbed the seat belt and pulled it across me, his hand deliberately brushing against my breast. Hot twists of sensation erupted within me, making me weak and breathless. I wondered how long I'd last with this man without reducing myself into a frenzy of heat, without turning into a wanton wench.

He clicked the seat belt in place and then moved back. Putting the car in reverse, he stepped on the accelerator and moved out. A moment later, we were off.

"Where are you taking me?" I demanded again. "To see Andy?"

"Friday. I said you can see Andy on Friday. Now I'm hungry."

I blinked, confused. What did his hunger have to do with me?

"If you behave yourself during dinner, I'll let you make the call to your brother," he said, glancing sidelong at me.

I got the picture. I nodded and relaxed in my seat, turning my attention to the blur of bright streetlights and nightlife passing by.