Brooke bit down a laugh at her friends’ exchange. She knew she’d be up – Nick never slept in on the weekends. Nine o’clock would be like a second breakfast for them.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats for the auction.”
Brooke glanced at the table and realized Aiden wasn’t there. She frowned. “Is Aiden in the bathroom?” she asked Lucas once they got to the table.
Lucas shook his head and stood to pull Ember’s chair out. “No. He’s talking to some guy.” He inclined his head toward the bar. Brooke followed his gaze and spotted him, his broad back facing her.
She saw the man he was talking to and her heart nearly stopped. It might have been almost nine years since she last laid eyes on him, but she’d know that face anywhere.
Her breath caught in her throat and her legs began to tremble as if she’d run a marathon.
What the hell was Jamie Black doing in Angel Sands?
25
She’d never seen Aiden hold himself so still. He had a lethal edge to him that sent a shiver down her spine. Brooke swallowed in spite of her dry mouth and looked at Ally and Ember, who stared back at her with wide eyes.
“Is that who I think it is?” Ally whispered.
“Shit.” Ember was only echoing what all three of them were thinking.
“Is everything okay?” Lucas frowned. “Is Aiden in trouble?”
Brooke shook her head and looked over at the bar once again. “No, he’s not in trouble. He’s talking to his brother.” She could see the auctioneer climbing up onto the stage. She should be standing with Clara, helping spot the bidders and take down the names of the winners. Instead she was staring at her biggest mistake and it made her want to scream. “I’m going to talk to them.”
“Is that a good idea?” Ember reached for her. “Brooke?”
Maybe it wasn’t a good idea, but she had no idea what else to do. From the way Aiden was standing, his hands fisted by his side, she was afraid if she didn’t intervene there was going to be carnage. With her breath caught in her throat, she covered the distance between the table and the bar, the calls of the auctioneer ringing in her ears.
She stopped about four feet away from where the two of them were standing. Aiden’s voice was low and dark, but she couldn’t hear what he was saying. Slowly, she brought her gaze to the man he was addressing. He had shaved dark hair, a scar running through his eyebrow, and a neck covered in tattoos.
As if he could feel the heat of her scrutiny, Jamie looked up at her. He blinked as though there was sand in his eyes, his scarred eyebrow rising up.
“Brooke?” he asked, his eyes squinting. “Brooke Newton?”
Aiden immediately turned around and caught her eye. “Go, Brooke,” he said, his voice imploring.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Brooke Newton,” Jamie said again. A half smile curled his upper lip. “Jesus Christ you’re prettier than I remember.” He pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. “Did you know I’ve had her?” he asked Aiden.
“Shut. Up.”
“Not a great lay. She’d been out of her mind on alcohol. But sex with a Newton is always sweet, isn’t it, bro?”
Brooke stiffened. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in prison.”
“There’s this thing called parole. I served my time.” He tipped his head to the side and licked his lips. “How’s my kid doing? Is it here tonight?”
The way he was grinning at her made her want to scream. She’d spent the last nine years protecting her precious boy from pain. And now his birth father was here and she couldn’t handle it.
“He’s not here.”
“We had a boy?” He raised his eyebrows. “Congratulations to us. I guess I’ll see him another time.” Jamie shrugged as though he was a friend inviting himself around for coffee.
“No you won’t.” Aiden moved so he was in between Brooke and Jamie, shielding her from him. “You’ll leave and not come back. You’re not wanted here.”
“What’s the matter, bro?” Jamie’s voice was low. “You seem real jittery right now.”