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A hand clasps over my shoulder, forcing me to turn. A well-built man with dark hair looks up at me, his eyes holding firm but his body shaking.
“I need to see Hannah. Tell me where she is,” I demand, inching closer so the man has to bend his neck further to meet the pull of my eyes.
“I-I n-need to escort you o-out,” the man says, his security badge twisting in his sweaty hand. “Authorized access-”
I grab a handful of his shirt and grip hard. A small crowd has gathered, a collection of suited men and well-dressed women all watching the scene unfold.
“Hannah Mell. Where is she?”
The man’s body shakes. “I will take you upstairs.”
I drop him back to his feet, smirking beneath a snarl that tightens my nose. He leads the way to an elevator and I duck down to stand beside him as we ride up a few levels. His breathing is shaky, and by the time the doors open again, his face is red and blotchy.
“This way,” he says, a skip in his step.
I look around, the old, stale smell of paper and ink combines with strong perfumes of the staff who’re all staring at the giant man stalking the scampering security guard. I give a sarcastic smile to them, wave with my fingertips and continue following the security guard to a door that has a silver plaque in the center.
Xavier Mell - CEO
“Mr. Mell?” The man rolls his knuckles on the wooden door. “Excuse me, Sir… I think you’re going to want to-”
The door flies open.
Instantly, I see a man sitting behind a desk. He has dark hair that’s neatly combed to one side and his eyes are a duplicate of the ones I’ve fallen in love with. He’s well-dressed, a red tie showing the striking figure that oozes authority and power. There’s an air of confidence that not many men have when they come eye to eye with me, but the stiff expression tugging at his jawline tells me he’s a man of business.
“Who are you?” Xavier Mell snaps, his elbows meeting the edge of his desk as he pulls his chair forward.
I step into the office, eyes locked on Hannah’s brother.
“Colt Brander,” I say, my voice booming. “I want to see Hannah.”
Xavier chuckles. “Is that so? And why should I tellyouwhere she is?”
I take three strides forward. That’s all it takes for me to meet the edge of his desk. I kick the flimsy steel chair opposite him to the side, my eyes fixed on his as I place my palms on the desk.
“I’m in love with her. And I need her to know just how much I need her in my life.”
There’s silence.
The striking figure in front of me pauses, his torturous eyes surveying me just like his sister’s do. My heart damn near stops, wanting to see her again. I’m pretty sure the entire planet has stopped spinning by the time Xavier finally opens his mouth.
“You’re in love with Hannah? H-how did this happen?” Xavier says eventually, rocking back on his chair.
I shake my head. “There is time for that later. For now, I need to see her. Please, Xavier, as her brother, as a man… You have to take me to her.”
Xavier breathes out, his cheeks puffing. “Fine. Tell me in the car.” He jumps from the chair, moves around the desk and I’m standing there in shock when his chest slams into mine. “But I’m telling you nowColt Brander, if you’ve so much as laid an unwanted finger on my sister, I’ll have you fucking killed. You understand that?”
I nod. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Xavier shows me the way from the office, a simple click of his fingers sending his employees back to their stations. Before I know it, we’re speeding in a red convertible down the street, my bulky shoulders squashed in the pocket-sized sportscar.
Xavier is quick to hear my story. My words are rushed but I start at the beginning, right back in high school. We get a few red lights which allows me to delve deeper into the night we sharedthatkiss. I tell him about my pathetic escape to the mountains. I tell him how my life changed with the inspection on my cabin and finally I open up about how I went and fucked it all up.
“We’re here,” Xavier says, pulling the park brake up in front of an apartment block. “Colt, whatever you do, listen to my sister’s wishes. If everything you say is true, if everything you’ve told me isn’t just another lie you’re using to hurt my sister… then everything will be ok.”
I nod my head, stretching my arm for a handshake. “Thank you.”
Xavier leads the way up a flight of stairs. I follow behind, my stomach a ball of nerves as he unlocks a door that leads into a dark apartment that smells like wild strawberries and vanilla. Xavier tosses his keys to a table and before I know it, he’s holding a door open, showing me into a room where I see the brightest red hair fanned out messily on a white pillow.
