Chapter 26：Mia

Turning on my heel, I marched downstairs. I found James still humming in the open-plan kitchen, preparing two cups of coffee. I went to sit on one of the barstools at the center island.

He placed a cup in front of me and then took a sip of his own. I wrapped my hand around the mug and inhaled the steamy aroma. It soothed me somehow, and I closed my eyes.

"You marched down those stairs like a woman on a mission," he teased.

I gazed up at him watching me. "You said you'd let me phone Andy if I played nice at dinner."

Slowly a smile spread across his face. His eyes still on me, he rested his chin in his palm as he leaned on the counter. "A promise is a promise."

I waited patiently as he took out his cell and dialed. His eyes never left my face as he said into the phone, "Matt? James here." Then suddenly he laughed, which made me wonder what he found so amusing. "Play nice with Andy, Matt. I have his sister here with me."

I frowned as he handed over the phone.

I took it and placed it against my ear. "Andy?"

All I could hear was heavy breathing and then a groan. A deep, faint voice that didn't belong to Andy said, "Here, it's your sister."

"Andy?" I said loudly into the phone.

A moment later, a shaky voice whispered, "Mia?"

My body shook in reaction and my heart leaped with relief. "Andy! Are you okay? Where are you?"

Deep breathing continued and then another groan. "Mia… Ah… Shit… Fuck!" More deep breathing and then, "Stop it! I said stop! Let me go, you bastard!"

"Andy? Andy? Talk to me. Please talk to me," I said, my voice weak with concern.

Before me, James was hiding his laughter. I was angry. That bastard. He was enjoying watching me under such stressful circumstances.

I ignored him and tried to get my brother to talk to me again. But all I could hear was groaning and heavy breathing.

"Oh, Andy, please be all right," I said. To James, I demanded, "What is that man doing to my brother?"

James just grinned at me as if he knew a secret. Be damned, but I really wanted to know what he was hiding and what he found so oddly amusing.

"Mia?" I heard Andy's voice. I quickly turned my attention to the phone.

"Andy? Are you okay? What's that man doing to you? Are you hurt?"

I could make out a strange voice, as though my brother were having difficulty breathing. "I'm… I'm fine, Mia."

"Oh, Andy, tell me everything. Please tell me everything. I'm here in Los Angeles. I'm going to get you out of this mess."

"Mia, I'm sorry…" More heavy breathing. "I can't talk. I'm sorry. I just can't. Not like this. I'm awful. I hate myself. That bastard. He makes me this way. I… Mia? I can't talk… not now."

I understood the meaning behind his words. That bastard Matt wouldn't allow Andy to talk. I knew it. Was Andy being imprisoned somewhere? My stomach lurched with sickness. Oh please, let Andy be all right. Please.

"Mia, I want to see you. Then we can talk. We need to meet up. But Matt…"

I nodded. "I understand," I said, glancing up to James. I knew I wouldn't be allowed to see my brother until he got what he wanted. Either that two million or a contract with me as his—

"All I want to know is you're okay."

"Yeah… Yeah, I'm… I'm okay."

I wasn't convinced. Andy sounded like he was in pain. Was Matt torturing him? The thought made me feel sick to my stomach, and my body trembled with fear and anger.

"Andy, I promise I'll do anything in my power to save you from that man," I said, my resolve solid. I meant what I said. I'd do anything to save my brother even if I had to become a mistress to Mr. James Maxwell.

I heard Andy give out a shaky laugh. Then he groaned again. "Just like you, sis," he said.

The sound of hard knocks against a door through the phone made me jump.

"Oh Andy. Open the fucking door. I'm not done with you yet. You think you can hold on much longer? The game's not over yet. I said open the fucking door!"

I sucked in my breath. "Andy?" I whispered with concern. "Run. Hide. Don't let him get you."

"Sis, I can't… I…" Andy's voice sounded weak, as if he'd surrender to the inevitable.

I gritted my teeth as tears brewed in my eyes. "Andy…"

"I said open the fucking door, Andy. I'm going to finish you off. You know you can't bloody hold out much longer. You want to fucking kill yourself or something?"

Tears flowed down my cheeks. I couldn't help myself, knowing my brother was in such distress.

"Andy…" I managed to get out but couldn't go further. I couldn't think of what else to say.

I heard Andy laugh sadly. "I'm sorry, Mia. He's right. I can't hold out much longer. We need to finish this. See you soon then," he said and then hung up.

"Andy, wait. Please. Run. Hide from him…," I said urgently to the silent phone. Of course I knew it was useless since Andy couldn't hear me.

I wiped tears from my cheeks. Slowly I handed the phone back to James and slipped off the barstool. My mind was completely numb with shock.

"Thanks," I said quietly without looking at him. I just couldn't. I didn't want him to see me like this, crying like a child. I was vulnerable and wanted to be alone.

Before I turned, James caught my wrist. I reluctantly turned my gaze to him. "It's not what you think. Matt won't hurt Andy," he said seriously. "Mia, you know what to do."

I nodded. "I'll think about it tonight," I said, twisting my hand free from his clutches. Then I headed up the stairs and into my assigned room.