Chapter 49：Mia

When the elevator door dinged open, I slowly stepped in. James wasn't far behind and stood close to me when it shut again. He pushed the button, and the lift ascended.

My whole body was still tense from the meeting with Andy as my mind wandered off about the whole situation. Ever since our parents had passed away, neither of our lives had ever turned out the way we had expected. This whole story of him leaving our small town of Mystic Spring in New Hampshire to come all the way to the West Coast, first to Los Angeles and then to Las Vegas, to find fortune and freedom, to live the American dream, was nothing but that—a dream. Reality, it seemed, was a bitch, killing a young man's dream of having a better future, both for himself and his sister.

I suddenly felt the warmth of a body against me, and strong, powerful arms wrapped around my slender shoulders. Those inviting, dependable arms lured me into a comfortable embrace. I couldn't resist and leaned against that hard, muscular wall of warmth and looked up. Beautiful Prussian-blue eyes watched me intensely.

"You look tired," James said. Was there a hint of worry in his voice? Or was it just my imagination?

I nodded. "Yes," I said, tightening my arms about his.

After the meeting with my brother, I suddenly felt very exhausted—emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Ever since that day a couple of months back when I had received that phone call from Andy telling me he had screwed up, I was worried. Of course, he'd never really told me what he'd done, and that had only made me all the more anxious because Andy had always been a good boy. He'd never done anything stupid or reckless before.

When I'd received that particular e-mail from James a couple of days after that, the billionaire who was now holding me in his arms, I felt as though my world had shattered right before my eyes. Andy was the only person in the world whom I loved and cherished with all my heart after the death of our parents. I couldn't lose him. I couldn't let him get into trouble like that.

I had been worried sick about the problem, trying to figure out a way to help Andy. I couldn't sleep at night, and I couldn't work properly. Then a few days later, I'd decided the only way to get that debt sorted out was to grab the bull by the horns and ride with it. Thus I'd requested two weeks' annual leave from the restaurant and spent some of my savings to fly over to Los Angeles to negotiate with the billionaire.

Yes, I hadn't been able to settle until I'd made that ultimate decision. After all, what could be the worst possible outcome other than Andy and I get put into jail?

The elevator door dinged open again, and James led me out into the corridor. Here, I gazed around me in marvel at the expensive décor and furnishing, very much like the floor where Matt resided.

James walked ahead toward one of the three doors to the left and then slipped out a key card. The door opened in an instant.

"Come on," he said.

I hesitantly stepped over the threshold of my supposedly new home for the night. Inside, there was a lavish living area with an attached kitchenette. Everything here was made for luxury: expensive sofas and chairs, coffee table, LCD TV, chandelier, soft lighting, and marble countertop and stainless steel in the kitchen. I took a peek through the open door that led to the next room—the bedroom with en suite bath. What I glimpsed there was nothing short of expensive taste and luxury.

James went to the refrigerator in the kitchenette and got himself a bottle of water. I, on the other hand, headed into the bedroom to take a better look at my sleeping quarters.

I couldn't believe how extravagant this place was and couldn't stop ogling either. Matt's place was lavish in a comfortable and simple way that was designed for functionality, for a man's taste. But this? This was designed for opulence. Although it was tailored for a man as well. Everything here spoke masculinity in bold statements, just like James's apartment and house back in Los Angeles.

"Is this room assigned to you every time you come here?" I couldn't help asking, my eyes on the king-size bed—the only bed in the room. Was I supposed to sleep with him?

"Hmm." I heard.

Must be nice, I thought, to have such a luxurious accommodation ready for you here in Vegas whenever you have the urge to come and lose yourself in Sin City.

Then, of course, I needed to know for sure about the sleeping arrangement. "James?"

"Yeah?"

I jumped at the voice behind me and hastily turned around. When did he get here? I wondered, my face flaming red.

He was watching me intensely, and I knew he'd seen the expression on my face as I stared at the bed.

I cleared my throat. "Do I get my own room?"

He smiled slowly. Gosh, he was just too good-looking for my peace of mind. I glanced away, staring blindly at the bathroom door just to his left.

"No," he said bluntly. "You're staying here with me."

I licked my upper lip. "What about my bed?"

He nodded to the one behind me. Okay, so I was to sleep on that massive king-size bed. That was fine with me. I liked large, soft beds. No doubt this particular one would be very soft indeed since it was in such a posh hotel and resort.

"What about yours?" I shifted my eyes to watch him carefully.

"That one," he said bluntly, nodding to that same bed behind me.

Once again I licked my upper lip. "But there's only one."

I blinked. "Huh?" I blushed. He won't bite indeed? When my body was already black-and-blue from his brutal treatment.