Mine to Hold (Mine 3)

“You didn’t look like a blushing bride-to-be up there.”

“That’s because I didn’t know I was going to be one.”

He exhaled. “He should’ve told you.”

Drake seemed to surround her fully then, and, hidden behind that heavy column, no prying eyes could see them. “Did he tell you? Did you know what Noah was planning?” It was her life. Noah should never have pulled a stunt like this without talking to her first.

“Hell, no. The guy’s always twisting up the game.”

There was no anonymity for her now. Her face would be everywhere. In the papers. On the news. Everyone would know who she was. Worse, they’d know who she’d been.

“I need to get out of here,” Claire said, nearly desperate. “Those people—it’s too much. I feel like they’re vultures circling in for the kill.”

“Because that’s exactly what they are.” He stepped back, surprising her. Then he took her hand in his.

Claire’s breath eased out.

“Interesting,” Drake murmured.

What?

“Come on. I’ll get you some freedom.” Then he was guiding her though the ballroom’s back doors. In moments, they were sliding into the private elevator. “You know, you’re leaving your fiancé in the middle of your own party.”

A shiver had her tensing. “I’ll go back. I just need a few moments.”

His hand still held hers.

“You didn’t tense on me,” Drake said as the elevator doors closed.

She stared at their hands. No, when he’d taken her fingers in his, she hadn’t tensed. Claire had actually felt relieved by his touch then.

“Not afraid of me anymore?” Drake queried softly. “Did you decide that I don’t have a monster inside?”

She pulled away from him. “I know you do.” But, no, she wasn’t afraid of him.

Maybe she should be.

“You don’t belong in Noah’s world.”

Those words had her blinking in surprise.

“When this is all over, you need to leave. Run as fast and as far as you can, but be warned, Noah will follow you.”

“W-why are you telling me this?”

His smile was sad. “Because I like you, and I don’t want to see you ripped apart by the vultures that always circle him.”

The elevator doors opened. Claire hurried out—

And she slammed right into Austin Harrison.

***

“She wants some time alone,” Skye said as she put her little ex-ballerina body right in front of Noah. Like she was going to slow him down. “Give her that time,” Skye ordered. Her hands were on her hips and a glower was on her face.

Noah started to brush by her, but then Trace slid up behind his wife. Trace lifted a brow. “I’d suggest you listen to that advice. I saw Claire’s expression a few minutes ago. That woman is running scared.”

And that was why he needed to get to her. He hadn’t told Claire his plans beforehand because he’d known that she’d balk. But if he introduced her as his fiancée in front of everyone…I gambled that she’d stay quiet. That the shock would keep her at my side.

It had. For a time. But when the shock faded, Claire had sure run fast.

“She can’t keep running from me,” he said. She needed to listen to him. He had a damn fine plan in place.

“She’s not running from you. She just wants to be able to breathe without every reporter in the room watching her.” Skye’s smile was grim. “I know how that feels.”

He sucked in a sharp breath. “You think I screwed up tonight, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Skye didn’t pull her punches.

His gaze hit Trace’s.

His friend nodded. Dammit. They both thought he’d screwed up?

“I am protecting her.” He expected Trace to get that. “She can’t just keep hiding out at the Towers, waiting for that asshole out there to make a move.” He couldn’t do that. He’d never been the type to wait for an attack to come. “In battle, you always take the offensive if you want to—”

“This isn’t battle,” Skye said softly. “This is her life.”

Shit.

“And do you really think she liked that her first proposal was a fake one?” Skye’s voice sharpened even more. “No woman likes that.”

He schooled his expression. “Who says it was a fake proposal?”

Trace brushed a kiss over Skye’s cheek. “I didn’t see a ring on her finger, just plenty of flash around her wrists. Those bracelets…were they supposed to show everyone that she was chained to you?”

No, the bracelets had been designed to show Claire that she didn’t have to constantly worry about her scars. He hadn’t wanted her to worry about pulling down her sleeves to hide the scars or finding ribbons to bind her wrists. “You don’t understand my relationship with Claire.”

Trace shook his head. “I’m starting to think you don’t, either.”

Noah’s gaze scanned the ballroom. “I need to find her.” He should be talking to Claire, not Trace. He had to make sure she realized that nothing had changed between them. I’m not using her.

Trace motioned toward the exit. “Drake took her upstairs.”

“Then, excuse me, but I have an elevator to catch.” He hurried by Trace.

“And some groveling to do,” he heard his friend mutter.

Noah’s jaw locked as he entered the elevator. There would be no groveling. Claire would realize that an engagement was perfect for them. The attacker had targeted him once, so this would be like waving a red flag in front of the guy’s face. He’d come after Noah again but this time—

I’ll be ready for him.

***

Claire scrambled back even as Drake surged forward. Drake grabbed Austin and slammed the guy into the nearest wall. “What the hell are you doing here?” Drake demanded.

Austin jerked in his grip, but Drake wasn’t letting the guy go. “I-I just needed to see Claire!”

Her heart was about to burst out of her chest. Her hands were shaking, her stomach churning, and Claire couldn’t look away from Austin’s eyes—it’s like I’m seeing Ethan again.

Only Austin…he’d never been like Ethan. Austin had been the good brother. The one who graduated at the top of his class. The one who’d held the door open for her when she used to work at the diner. He’d been the one who—

Came to tell me how sorry he was. When she’d been in the hospital, recovering from the suicide attempt, he’d been there.

“How did you get past security?” Drake’s hold on the guy tightened even more.

“I-I bribed a guy downstairs. I heard about the party tonight and knew this would be my best chance to get in.” Austin’s voice was tight. His gaze was on Claire—pleading? “I just need a few minutes, that’s all.”

“You’re about to get an ass beating, that’s all you’re getting,” Drake snarled right back. “Then the fool who let you up here is getting fired.”

Austin’s gaze narrowed on Drake’s furious face. “I know you. You were at my father’s funeral.”

Drake just glared at him.

Austin’s skin paled. “You were there…and my brother…his car exploded…when you were there!”