"I'm okay. I'm fine. Calm down," she begs him. I jump up to grab her away from him, but Joshua pulls me back. I watch as Greg instantly calms and wraps her close.
"Sweetheart, I thought I lost you too. I heard about the shooting and all I could see was you dead, just like her." Tears run down his face. I'm torn to the core watching this man come undone.
"I'm okay, I swear. I'm so sorry I forgot to call you. I'm okay." She soothes him again.
I watch his hands slide up into her hair and tip her head back to look into her eyes. My instant moment of jealousy is followed by complete awe as I watch him look her in the eye and see his love for her. She's not as alone as she thinks.
"Maya, sweetheart, I can't lose you too. I love you as if you were my own flesh and blood. Please don't scare me like that again," he begs her.
"Okay, I'm sorry." They both turn to look at Joshua, who’s still holding me back.
"Joshua, sorry for the guard downstairs. Duncan, part of me wants to take her from here right now to protect her, but I know you'll protect her," Greg says as he still holds her tightly to his side.
"I'll make coffee," Maya says as she steps from his arms and walks the short distance to me. She kisses my cheek and walks away before I can hold her close.
"Greg, come in and sit, we can talk about what happened," Joshua says, snapping me from my stupor.
"Yes, please, Greg, come sit down." We all walk into the living room.
After explaining the incident last night and confirming with him his thoughts, we enjoy an excellent breakfast and decide to keep everything status quo to see what happens. Greg leaves without explaining his behavior and I wonder more at their bond. I know that she's not sleeping with either of them, but what's going on?
We head to my dad's home for Christmas dinner. Jonathon calls to say that Ana is sick and sends her love. I can see Mayaisn't happy with this any more than I am. We don't tell Father about the shooting or the break-in of her condo.
I watch Greg as he keeps a close eye on Maya, and I finally walk over to him and pull him to the library.
"Greg, is there more you're not telling me?" I ask casually.
"Duncan, she's going to push you away. She thinks the only way to protect those she cares for is to keep them at arm's length. The way she looks at you tells me she's trying to work it through. You'll want to keep an eye on her closely and know that she cares. I actually think she loves you."
"I care about her too. I'll not allow her to push me away," I say confidently.
"You really need to understand her better. You'll have no chance to stop her." He laughs at me.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask angrily. How dare he tell me I don't know my girl.
"Okay, you try. She'll run. I know her better than most. She tried it with Derek and me; she won for a short time and got away from us. I fly out tomorrow to head back to DC. Take care of her and be careful." He shakes my hand and walks back to the parlor where Maya and my father are talking about the upcoming New Year's Eve ball. He still didn't explain to me what was going on. Instead, I now worry about her pushing me away.
Maya
The next weekAna doesn't come around at all. Finally, it’s New Year's Eve and I call her to confirm she's coming here to get ready. She shows up at about three and looks so pale. Maybe she is sick. I show her the bracelet and heavy-duty tactical vest Duncan got me for Christmas. She says Jonathon got her earrings and some other presents but doesn't elaborate, and I don't push.
We're dressed and getting ready to step out into the living room where the men are waiting. Well, except for Jonathon, he'll meet us there. I can see that Ana is nervous. She insisted on dressing in the bathroom, which makes me worry that she's visibly bruised and hiding it from me. The lace back and cap sleeves of her red, slender, straight dress is breathtaking.
If she had any wounds, would I notice them? Damn, I hope I would. She's so very shy and distant now. I want her to come away with me so I can bring my friend back.
I've left my hair down and flowing down my back in loose curls. Ana did my makeup. She gave me what she calls a smoky eye. If I wear makeup, it's usually a powder, mascara, bronzer, and a little lipstick. Ana has done a complete makeup job on me and I feel beautiful and sexy, not overdone. As we walk out, the raised voices of James and Duncan stop. Duncan starts shaking his head as he looks at me.
"Baby, you look gorgeous, but there's no way you're leaving my flat in that dress. I'd kill any man who looked at you." I smile and twirl for him.
"Honey, I thought you'd like it." My dress is white with a bright blue and green baroque pattern, a deep plunging neckline, open back, and a slit up the front he hasn't noticed yet. I’mwearing the silver stiletto heels and stop and push out one of my legs through the slit so he can see the whole effect.
"Bugger me, Maya, are you trying to get me arrested? I'll kill any man who looks at your legs like I am right now."
Ana and I both giggle and James just rolls his eyes.
James is wearing another traditional black tux and, this time, Duncan is in a gray one.
"Son, I'm glad to see I'm not the only Preston man to have a jealous streak, but you're not going to get her to change. I've known her many years and it's nice to see another man try to control her.” He turns to look at me. “By the way, Maya, I love the dress. Ana, you look exquisite, I like the red." James smiles at both of us, then walks to Ana so she can take his arm. She smiles sweetly at her father, then looks at her brother.
