“Don’t let her come out,” he ordered.
“Yes, Mr. Sinclair,” the guards replied at once.
Unaware of the command that had just been given, Mia watched James disappear through the bar door. The instant he was gone, a sharp sense of unease settled in her chest. She sprang to her feet and hurried toward the exit.
She didn’t make it two steps.
The guards immediately stepped into her path, broad bodies blocking the doorway as they raised their hands.
“Sorry, ma’am,” one of them said firmly. “You can’t leave.”
Mia stared at them in disbelief. “What are you talking about? Move.”
They didn’t budge.
She tried to push past them, but they were solid—large. When she struggled harder, hands closed around her arms, stopping her completely.
“Let go of me!” she shouted, panic flaring as she fought against their grip. “You have no right to keep me here!”
Their hold tightened, boxing her in—
—until another voice cut cleanly through the noise.
“What’s going on, boys?”
Gavin’s easy, lazy drawl drifted from behind them.
The guards stiffened instantly. One of them stepped back and straightened.
“Mr. Stanley,” they greeted.
Gavin flashed them a relaxed, charming smile and casually reached out, his hand settling around Mia’s arm.
“What’s happening?” he asked lightly.
Recognizing him, both guards eased their stance.
“Mr. Sinclair instructed us to keep her here,” one of them explained, gesturing toward Mia.
Gavin waved a lazy hand. “Yeah. I came to take her to him.”
Mia blinked, confusion flashing across her face—until Gavin’s grip slid from her arm to her wrist and gave a subtle tug.
She reacted instantly, stepping away from the guards and letting him pull her to his side.
“I’m taking her to James now,” Gavin said smoothly. “Good job following orders, boys. Excellent work.”
The guards straightened, clearly pleased.
“Of course, Mr. Stanley. We were just following instructions,” one of them said quickly. “Please let Mr. Sinclair know we carried everything out exactly as instructed.”
“Will do,” Gavin replied with an easy nod. “You boys have a great night.”
He didn’t wait for another word.
He steered Mia out of the bar with quick, confident strides. Once they were a safe distance away and stopped beside a black Aston Martin, Mia turned on him immediately.
“I’m not going to James,” she said sharply.
