The flight attendant smiled at us, but I could tell she wanted us gone.She’d interrupted the moment, anyway.I helped Millie up and out of our row—I’d splurged on first-class tickets so she’d be comfortable.
I grabbed her large tote and my duffle bag and walked behind her as we exited the plane.Each step she took added to the tension in her neck and shoulders, which made me tenser as well.
I knew that look, which was why I was worried.Millie had the same body language as some of my friends did the last time I saw them—right before they went into the known gang territory out in our area.
They never came back.
Millie
I exited the gate,and tension continued creeping up my spine.This was so different from Sri Lanka.The people, the smells, even the quality of air and light in the terminal felt different.Like home.My heart squeezed as I realized how much I’d missed Houston.
With a painful swallow, I admitted that I needed to explain my reasons for leaving this city…for running away from Luka and Ida Jane.But how did I bring up my father and Trent to the one man I wanted to see me as sexy and desirable?No man wanted another’s castoff.That’s what my father had said.
“Go back to Trent.He’s the best you can hope for.No man wants another’s sloppy seconds.”
My father had said that to me.Myfather.He’d followed me to my apartment the morning after Trent found the mutilated engagement ring just to say that to me.I’d moved shortly thereafter so neither of them would know where I was.
No, no!I shut those memories down.But I wasn’t fast enough because, as if the universe wanted to prove a point, I heard Trent’s voice right after we stepped out of the gate’s seating area and into the walkway.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Millicent Jones.”
My world tilted and my body quivered, but I turned my head with regal dignity—I hoped—away from Trent and walked toward the exit.Luka was a half-step behind, but Trent was in front of me.And the leaner, shorter man reached out, snagged my arm, and squeezed it.
“It’s been a while, and I see you’ve been busy.Don’t youdaretry to ignore me.”
Luka dropped his bag as he stepped forward, fists clenched, aggression pouring off him.He snarled, clearly ready to hurt Trent, but I’d already turned my arm around and over Trent’s, breaking his hold on me.Then I went further and gripped his thumb, bending it back at an awkward angle.
“You don’t touch me without permission,” I hissed.“And I’llnevergive you permission to put your disgusting hands on me.”
Trent’s jaw clamped down, hard, as he worked not to cry out.I pushed his thumb farther, watching whiteness creep around his eyes and mouth.
“I’ll take care of him, Millie,” Luka rumbled.
I shook my head.I would not let Luka get arrested for assault.Trent wasn’t worth the impact that would have on Luka’s life.
“I have this under control,” I said.
“Ohmigod, it’s Luka Stol,” came a high-pitched cry.And a moment later, we were surrounded by probably ten teenagers who crowded close, oohing and ahhing over Luka as they asked for selfies and autographs.
“Hey, guys,” Luka said, strain obvious—at least to me—in his voice and expression.
“You’resomuch bigger than I thought,” one girl gushed.“Isn’t he big?”
“But fast,” a boy chimed in.He rattled off Luka’s stats.
“Millie…” Luka said again.He was hyped, ready for a fight, but I’d read the opportunity in Trent’s eyes.He’d sue Luka, try to destroy him financially.That’s what Trent understood.Money.Power.
He’d used his against me.
“No,” I snapped.“I’ve got this.”
An older woman being pushed in a wheelchair moved past as I spoke.She put her foot on the ground and held up her hand as she noted the stand-off between me and Trent.Her chair stopped, and Trent tried to shuffle backward, so I put more pressure on his thumb.
Luka inched closer.I could feel the heat from his body against my back and side.He said nothing else, just anchored me.Gave me support.But even now I could feel the question in his gaze, his self-control threatening to snap.
Luka was a doer.Standing by, letting me handle the situation my way wasn’t in his make-up.
“Allow me to offer some help.”The older woman set the dog from her lap on the ground next to Trent’s foot.
