Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) (38 page)

“You’ve seen Mia,” said Cameron. “She’s coping well. We’ll have a session—”

“Which hotel is he in?” snapped Richard. “You should have killed him last night. I’m going to finish the job.”

I stepped into the room. “Good morning,” I said, throwing a wave. “I have an announcement to make.”

Cameron, Shay, and Richard turned to look at me.

“I am going to do something daring this morning,” I told them. “I’m going to push the boundaries of what is possible.”

Their frowns deepened.

The tension hung thick.

“I’m making my boys breakfast,” I said. “And it’s going to be the best Christmas morning ever.”

“Mia,” said Richard, stepping forward.

“No.” I shot up my hand. “You can’t stop me. I’ve already decided. I googled waffles. I’ve got this.” I pointed at Richard. “Set the table, please.” Then at Cameron. “How about you make us some coffee?” And I pointed to a cupboard. “Shay, you can help me get the waffle maker down.”

“Shouldn’t we talk about it?” said Richard softly.  

“Well, if you’d rather make the coffee,” I said.

Richard came closer, grabbed me into his arms, and hugged me. “God, Mia Lauren, I love you so much.”

I hugged him back. “I know, right? Move over, Barefoot Contessa. Mia Lauren is in the house.”

That look on Cameron’s face was pride.

It took some persuading, but I managed to kick the men out of the kitchen so I could get going on my culinary masterpiece.

The mood lifted as I served them waffles and pancakes with bananas, and syrup, and enough coffee to satisfy our caffeine fix. It was wonderful to see them all relax, and despite their initial reluctance I got them to wear the paper hats we’d gotten out of the Christmas crackers we’d popped last night.

That seemed to lift the mood, and despite all of them looking for signs in me of residual emotional trauma from last night, they’d not be seeing any.

“Did Richard tell you?” I said. “He saved a man’s life.”

“Really?” said Cameron.

“It was nothing,” said Richard. “A man had a heart attack and I resuscitated him.”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing to me,” said Shay. “Sounds very heroic.”

“Which hospital did they take him to?” asked Cameron. “I can check in on him if you like.”

“They won’t tell you anything,” said Richard. “Trust me. It was something anyone could have done.”

“Everyone else was just standing around,” I said. “You saved him.”

“Everyone’s a hero in your eyes, Mia,” said Richard. “My grandmother had a saying about good people like you, ‘All your geese are swans.’”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“It means you always think the best of everyone,” said Cameron, “and it’s so endearing.”

“The world is a dark, evil place, Mia,” said Shay. “We need to keep you safe from it.”

“I believe I’ve proven I can look after myself,” I said.

“That’s what we’re here for,” said Richard. “You’ve gotten your very own brat pack looking out for you.”

I beamed at them.

With Christmas music playing in the background, we sat on the floor and huddled around the tree.

I handed them their presents. Shay ripped open his first and smiled when he unraveled the cashmere scarf.

“It’s chilly in L.A.,” I said. “So you’ll be nice and toasty.”

He wrapped it around his neck and it looked great on him. That European loop he gave it made him look super sexy.

“Here you go,” I said to Cameron, as I handed over his.

He peeled back the wrapping and flipped open the small black box. His breath stilted.

“What is it?” said Richard.

“Cufflinks,” said Cameron. “Mia, they’re wonderful. Thank you.”

He stared down at the miniature Royal Crowns.

“Their design is based on—”

“The Tower of London.” His gaze held mine. “Thank you, Mia. They’re perfect.”

I was so happy to see he liked it. “Okay, now you, Richard.” I gave him his gift and watched him as he ripped it open.

He pulled out the tiny brass Buddha statue.

“Give it a shake,” I said. “It has a small metal bead inside it. Tibetan monks made it. And here’s your other gift.”

“Mia it’s wonderful,” he said, beaming. “I love it.” He unraveled the second gift and pulled out a bracelet of small jade beads.

“That was made by Tibetan monks too,” I said. “I want it to keep you safe when you go off on your adventures. I support your adrenaline junkie lifestyle and I want you to know that.”

He pulled on the bracelet. “Mia, thank you. This means the world to me.”

“I got them all from Fortnum and Mason,” I said. “They’re all classy gifts.”

“We can see that, Mia,” said Cameron. “Well done.”

Richard shook the small Buddha close to his ear. “It’s a prayer bead.”

“It is?” I said.

He gave a nod. “Yes, you’re meant to shake it to center yourself. It’s a reminder to bring you back to the present.”

I sat back on my heels.

Richard added, “Buddha will watch over us when we sleep.”

“Now it’s our turn,” said Shay. “This one is from me.”

I ripped the card open and read inside. “Really?” I all but freaked out.

Shay had gifted me fencing lessons. I leaped up and hugged him, so excited by the idea of learning such an elegant sport.

“These guys keep buying you jewelry and clothes,” he said, amused. “Women are so hard to buy for.”

“It’s perfect, Shay. Thank you so much,” I said.

Cameron handed me a small wrapped gift and I made my way into it. Flipping open the lid, I found a small plastic key inside.

“It’s symbolic,” he said. “Your gift is waiting for you back in L.A.”

I peered up at him, wondering what it represented. “Is it a key to Chrysalis?”

Richard blinked at him. “You got her a car?”

“Well have you seen hers?” said Cameron. “The oil leaks.”

“A car?” said Richard.

Staring down at the key, I wondered if accepting such an amazing gift was something I could do, and from Richard’s face I knew he was having a hard time with it.

“It’s a BMW,” said Cameron. “Nothing flashy.”

“It is kind of flashy,” I said. “It’s amazing.”

“We want you to be safe.” He turned to Richard. “We can’t have her on the freeway in that old mini.”

“She could always use one of mine,” said Richard. “She knows that.”

Cameron gave me a look. “Don’t make a fuss. It’s nothing.”

Richard rolled his eyes at him.

I looked over at Richard to see if he was going to let me keep it, unsure if I was worthy of such a gift.

“Well?” said Richard. “Say thank you, Mia.”

Still unsure about it, I threw my arms around Cameron’s neck. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“It’s a gift,” he said, easing my arms off him. “You don’t have to make anything up to me.”

Richard nudged an oblong box my way. Inside rested the most beautiful pair of strappy heels. Black soles and silver straps encrusted with tiny crystals.

“They’re Valentino,” he said. “They’ll look amazing on you.”

“They’re incredible,” I said, my eyes watering.

“No you don’t,” said Cameron. “We care deeply for you Mia and love having you around.”

Richard’s eyes snapped over to him.

I leaned over and gave Richard a big hug. “I love them.”

“Come on,” said Shay, pushing himself to his feet. “Let’s show you a few fencing moves.”

“Show me a parry,” I said, remembering Cameron once mentioning he’d like to teach me that one.

It had been during my spying trip around Cameron’s Beverly Hills home, where I’d caught him and Shay thrusting sabers at each other in the sports hall. Cameron had wanted to show me a parry, which was used to deflect or block an attack.

“How about some more coffee?” said Cameron.

“Love some,” said Richard.

“I’ll get it.” I headed for the kitchen.

“I’m about to perform one of my most daring exploits yet,” said Richard darkly.

I turned round to face him, unsteady on my feet.

“This kind of reminds me of the day I leaped off the Eiffel Tower,” said Richard. “Not sure whether I’d live or die.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked nervously.

His eyes glinted with mischief. “I’m going to have some of your apple crumble.”

I ran back and punched his arm.

Richard fell back in a heap of laughter.

CHAPTER 32

LATER THAT EVENING I flew into a panic.

I’d gone to Cameron’s bedroom to talk about his gift and tell him I couldn’t accept something as incredible as a car. Only I’d found his wardrobe empty and his suitcase gone.

I took two stairs at a time and burst into the kitchen. Shay sat alone at the counter. He sipped on a coffee. “Richard’s in the gym,” he said. “He’s working off your apple crumble.”

“Where’s Cameron?” I said.

“You just missed him. You were taking a nap. He didn’t want to wake you.”

“Did he leave?”

“He’s heading back to L.A. He’s got a ton of work waiting for him.”

“But it’s still Christmas day.”

Dread swept over me.

Shay lowered his gaze.

I bolted down the hallway.

“You’ll need an umbrella,” he shouted after me.

I shoved open the door and ran into the front yard, sprinting through the gate, rain pouring and soaking me.

A Rolls Royce pulled away from the curb. I ran alongside it and slammed my hand against the window.

The car jolted to a stop.

The back window slid down.

“You weren’t going to say goodbye?” I said.

Cameron looked harried. “Mia, go back inside.”

“You didn’t come find me?”

He sucked in a breath. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

“I deserve a goodbye,” I said. “After everything we’ve shared.”

“You’re right of course,” he said calmly. “Goodbye, Mia.”

I stomped my foot. “No, I deserve a proper goodbye.”

“Spending time with you…” He stared off. “It’s been effective.”

“Effective?”

“Yes. We’ve both benefited from this.”

“Where are you?” I said. “Where’s my kind, thoughtful Cameron? I need him right now. I need you.”  

He shook his head. “It’ll get easier. I promise.”

“But it can’t end like this,” I said. “With you driving off and not looking back.”

“Please, Mia, you’re getting soaked. I’ll see you in L.A.” He gestured to the driver. “Go, please.”

“Wait,” I snapped at the driver.

Cameron lowered his head. “We knew this day would come. I’m sorry if I didn’t prepare you for it better.”

“Are you ever going to tell me how you feel about me?” I stared at his beautiful face, needing to hear those words he’d never spoken.

“You are…” He measured his words. “My finest work.”

The window slid up and the car pulled away.

I stood there staring, my throat tight with anguish. As I heaved breaths, I found the weight of each one too heavy to bear.

The car stopped.

Cameron got out and ran back to me. I sprinted to meet him halfway and fell into his arms.

Safe.

This man who knew me so well, understood my needs, and helped me laugh at my quirks. The man who’d saved me from my past.

I wanted to beg him not to go, but at the same time I feared I’d disappoint him.

I peered into his eyes. “You’re getting wet too now.”

He hugged me into him. “It’s just rain.”

Pressing my face against his chest, I let out a sob. “I’ll be good. I promise.”

He planted kiss after kiss to the top of my head, with his strong arms wrapped around me.

Holding his gaze, I waited for him to say those words he knew I needed to hear.

I blinked raindrops off my lashes. “You taught me how to read the secret language of the heart. I know.”

“Shush.”

“Cameron?”

He looked past me. “Take her inside.”

I turned to see Shay holding an umbrella.

Cameron nudged me towards him. Shay took my hand and pulled me away, through the gate, and back into the house. Glancing back, Cameron stood stock still on the pavement staring after us. Rain fell on him, but he didn’t seem to care.

Shay shut the door behind us, pulled closed the umbrella, and rested it in the corner.