His to Hold (The Malone Brother Book 3)

by S. L. Sterling

  My stomach sank. What a bastard. I dragged my suitcase behind me and went to sit down near the gate I would be flying out of. I had hours to wait for my connecting flight. We had planned it that way so we could spend a little time having a few drinks and dinner prior to taking off.

  I shut my phone off and threw it in my purse. "I won't be needing you, that is for sure," I mumbled and sat back against the chair. The tension in my shoulders was incredible, and now I couldn't wait to hit that beach. I debated grabbing a room at a nearby hotel for the six-hour wait, that way I could get some sleep, but decided against it.

  "What to do for six hours?" I questioned as I looked around, and then I saw it—Take me Away Bar and Grill.

  I studied the sign. A gin and tonic would be great right about now, but like always, I decided against enjoying myself and pulled my book from my bag. Besides, I didn't want to get drunk before I flew.

  I opened my book to the last chapter I had read and tried to ignore the craving for a cold beverage. Minutes later, I shoved my book back into my bag and shrugged my shoulders. "Fuck it, you're on vacation. You deserve a fucking drink," I said to myself, then grabbed my bags and headed over to the little bar.

  As I entered, I looked around for an empty table. The place was busy, couples and families sitting, eating, laughing away. I had no one to sit and laugh away with, so I looked around for an empty seat. I finally spotted one at the bar and wandered over. I sat down and the bartender immediately took my order.

  Within minutes, I took my first sip of the perfectly mixed gin and tonic, that first mouthful going down as smooth and as easy as water.

  I fished around in my bag for my phone and headphones, finally pulling them out and untangling the messed-up cord. I was going to sit here, drink my drinks, and listen to some music, maybe do a crossword or play a game on my phone, something, anything to help take away the fact that I was indeed sitting here alone, until I had to go.

  I had powered up my phone and was just about to plug my earphones in when my phone rang. I frowned. Perhaps Don had realized he had made a mistake and changed his mind. Perhaps he was waiting for me.

  "Hello," I answered.

  "Mia," Mark’s voice poured over the phone, causing me to roll my eyes, "about those reports. You missed one of them, my dear. Can you bring it in with you on Monday please?"

  Of course, I had missed one. He would always find a reason to keep me where he wanted me.

  "I told you, I won't be there Monday. I'm on vacation."

  "Yeah sure, sure." He laughed.

  That was it, I couldn't take it anymore, and just like that, I snapped.

  Chapter 5

  Bryce

  "I'm not a greedy bastard, Chase. I am one of the most giving people there is. Alyssa, she doesn't see it that way," I mumbled into the phone as the cab drove up the hill toward the airport. "It really bothers me that she thinks of me that way, you know." I looked out the window, watching the snow start to fall.

  "She’s just pissed off that you won't let her stay in the condo anymore," Chase mumbled into the phone.

  I was sure he was tired of listening to my whiny antics by now. I had decided to end my two weeks off a little bit early. Well, a lot early. A full week early. I had been inundated with calls from clients, and frankly, I was bored being here alone.

  Alyssa normally came with me to the lake house. She would go off shopping or to the spa, and I would work, and then we would meet up in town and go for dinner. Some days we would both head up to one of the ski resorts and spend the day. Scratch that, she would take advantage of what I had to offer and end up calling me a greedy bastard in the end.

  "You’re better off, bro. Believe me."

  I rested my head against the headrest, listening to the radio playing, the song making me think of Alyssa and the night we had broken up. She had called me a greedy bastard and made her way out the front door to her mother’s because she hadn't gotten her way. That had been my breaking point.

  I had given her every single thing she had ever wanted, no matter the cost. I knew my brothers thought I was crazy, but I was in love with her and I wanted her to be happy. Of course, my brothers had expressed their concerns many times, telling me how one-sided they felt the relationship was. The last family dinner we had together, Autumn, Hunter's wife, had even made a comment to Alyssa about the fact that she didn't seem to want to be there. Of course, then Hope jumped on her as well, resulting in a huge argument between all three women that ended when Alyssa stormed out of the house and waited in the car for me. It had been a disaster, and after that, she didn't bother coming to family dinners anymore, and every time I went, she felt the need to express her displeasure.

  "Deep down I know you are right, Chase. Guess it’s just a little hard for me to believe right now."

  Alyssa was missing me. I had heard from her three times today alone, each call getting a little more desperate as the night went on. Finally, she admitted she had made a mistake and wanted me back, that she couldn't make it on her own. I didn't bother calling her back. Instead, I called my brother.

  "I can't forgive her, Chase. Not knowing what she really thinks of me. I gave her three years, man."

  "Forgive her? There is no way you should forgive her. She fucked another man in your bed. Besides, don't forget, you were treated like shit for those three years. So grow a pair and tell her to fuck off."

  I laughed into the phone. This was my brother!

  "I'll make someone happy one day, won't I, Chase?" I asked, interrupting whatever it was my brother was droning on about.

  "Yes, of course you will. She isn't the last woman on earth, Bryce. Now stop sounding like a big pussy and reattach your dick. Do you think you are ready to return to work, because I seriously don't think you are ready to come back yet."

  "Chase, I am fine. Seriously, there is so much work to do, so I am coming back. I just arrived at the airport."

  "Well you best have a better handle on things. I'm not going to argue. I am drowning with this merger and could use you to go over the reports, but I know Carter and Hunter were pissed with you. If you don't feel you can come back yet, you best stay there."

  "I'm good, honestly. I will be there and help you get everything in order. Listen, I got to run. Just arrived at my drop-off."

  "All right. Talk to you later, bro. Safe flight."

  "Thanks, see you soon."

  Minutes later, I had paid my cab driver and found myself fighting my way through the crowds of people in the airport. I had come early. The lines were crazy long, so I wandered over to the window and watched the snow continuing to fall. As the flakes danced down to the ground, I wondered if perhaps I wasn't being ridiculous and probably should have had the taxi just turn around and return to the lake house. If this storm that they were promising started before my flight left, I'd have wasted my time.

  Chase was right, I didn't need to be back in the city for another week, and to be honest, I truly didn't feel as if I were ready to go back. Instead the stubborn streak in me had insisted I get to the airport and head back home to the office and my new life. However, the ground was now covered with snow, getting deeper by the second. I looked up to see if my flight was still on time, and of course, it had been delayed and now wasn't scheduled to leave for another eight hours.

  I wasn't going to waste my time worrying about it. I made my way over to the 'Take me Away' bar, deciding to drown my sorrows in a few drinks before my flight took off. I stepped up to the bar, signaling to the bartender, who held up his finger to let me know he would be with me in a minute.

  I relaxed, glancing around the bar at all its patrons…and that was when I saw her. Mia, my best friend’s little sister, was sitting on the opposite side of the bar on the phone, looking frustrated as hell.

  I had to do a double take to make sure it was her, before I casually made my way over to an open stool beside her and took a seat. She hadn't noticed me yet. She was still talking with someone on the phone, determ
ination, anger, and irritation lining her voice as she spoke.

  She certainly hadn't changed, from what I remembered. Brown hair, cute button nose, still sexy as hell when she was angry. I listened to what she was saying, something about it being fifteen years and vacation and “I'm not working on that right now.” Whatever it was, it didn't sound very good, and she certainly didn't look happy.

  She stopped speaking, listened for half a minute more, and then hung up, slamming her phone onto the bar so hard I was afraid it may shatter. She picked up her drink and mumbled, "What an asshole," before almost emptying her glass.

  "What will you have to drink, sir?" the bartender asked, pulling a clean glass from the stack.

  "Double scotch on the rocks please, and another one for the lady please." I nodded toward Mia and handed the bartender my credit card. "Just start a tab please." I was going to be here for a while.

  "Listen, asshole, there is no need to buy me a drink. I am perfectly capable of getting my own," Mia barked back.

  "Mia, is that any way to treat an old friend?" I practically whispered in her ear.

  Those big, chocolate-brown eyes of hers landed on mine. She blinked hard as she looked at me, a smile forming on her perfectly bowed lips. "Bryce? Is it really you?" she asked, her soft voice barely heard over the loud crowd. Her eyes swept over my body, taking in my large, muscular frame.

  "Yes, Mia, it’s me."

  She was as beautiful as she had been all those years ago. Her long, soft, dark hair was pulled back in its signature ponytail, just like I remembered.

  "It's so good to see you." She smiled, reaching up to give me a hug.

  "You too." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close, breathing in her scent. "Is it okay if this asshole buys you a drink now?" I chuckled.

  "My God, I am so sorry about that." She buried her face in her hands to hide her embarrassment.

  "It's all right. No offense. How's that idiot brother of yours?"

  Grant had been my best friend growing up. Of course, after college we went our separate ways—me to law school, him to medical school, and now we only saw and spoke to one another online.

  "He's doing well. He's up for promotion at his hospital. Him and June just had their second baby as well." She smiled.

  Second baby. Here I was still single, having stupid arguments and ending serious relationships with the women I dated, and my best friend was a father.

  "Wow! That is great. I'm so happy for him. So what are you doing here and where you headed?” I asked, looking down at the luggage that sat in between her feet and the bar.

  "Dominican." She picked up her drink and drank the rest just in time for the fresh ones to arrive.

  "Visiting our old stomping grounds, I see. Although it was much safer when we went. Now people only go there to get murdered." We both laughed.

  I had often vacationed with Grant and his family growing up. We had spent two winters in the Dominican chasing girls and having fun. Well, he spent the time chasing girls; I spent my time dreaming of his sister.

  She rolled her eyes at me and let out a little laugh. "I suppose I would have been. Figured it would be nice to go back to a familiar place."

  "So where are you living now?"

  "Oh, I still live just outside of Kings Cove Harbor. I never ventured very far."

  I felt my heart race a little. She still lived near me. What a small world it was.

  "Small world. I didn't travel far either. I work in the city still. So how did you end up in Vermont, if you are going to Dominican?" I questioned. They didn't normally re-route planes going to the Dominican here.

  "Ugh, don't ask. As Grant would put it, it's just another one of my many stupid, stupid mistakes."

  I let out a laugh. "That doesn't sound very good."

  "Ugh, just my life lately. What about you? What are you doing here?"

  I could tell she was frustrated, not just by the tone of her voice and body language but by the way she was fidgeting. Mia only ever used to fidget when she was agitated.

  "I'm on my way back home. I came up to my lake house here for a little rest and relaxation." I placed my arm on the back of her chair.

  "Nice. Well, I hope at least one of us had a good vacation."

  She blinked hard and turned her face from me for a second, and that was when I saw one lone little tear slide down her cheek. I frowned.

  "I'm sorry," she mumbled, quickly wiping her cheek. "I guess I am a little more upset than I first thought."

  When we were younger, I had hated seeing her upset and always strove to make sure she never felt that way for any reason whenever she was around me, and tonight wasn't going to be any different.

  "That's it, no tears!" I said, slapping the bar counter. Mia looked at me. "Tears are only going to call for many, many more drinks!" I signaled to the bartender for another round as Mia began to laugh. "And food," I said, reaching for a menu and handing it to her.

  An hour later, it was just like old times again. We had caught up, and we sat with drinks in hand, the plate of fully loaded nachos gone, only a few crumbs left.

  "That was so good," Mia said, relaxing back against her seat.

  "That it was. Looks like you need another drink there." I signaled to her empty glass, then to the bartender for two more.

  "I don't know. This is more than I've had to drink in a long time." She giggled.

  I glanced up to the TV above our table and saw the current weather report. "Shit, that doesn't look very good." I tapped Mia's shoulder to get her to look at the TV. Snow had pretty much blanketed the area. The city was closing roads, and flight cancelations were now in progress.

  "Well, that is just fantastic. Tops off a completely shitty day with yet another complication," she said as she threw her napkin down on the empty plate. "Now what?" She got up from her chair and began rustling through her purse.

  "Calm down, Mia. We don't know for a fact that our planes are the ones that are canceled." She ignored me, continuing to search her purse. "What are you looking for?"

  "My credit card. I need to pay my bill and get out there before—"

  Before she could even finish what she was going to say, a voice came over the loudspeaker, quieting the whole restaurant.

  "Unfortunately, due to extreme weather, all outbound and inbound flights have been canceled. I repeat, all flights currently reporting as delayed and on time have now been canceled."

  That announcement stopped her in her tracks, and she sat back down on her chair looking defeated.

  "Now what am I going to do?"

  "Mia, it's not that big of a deal. We just come up with a Plan B," I announced, swirling my scotch and taking a drink.

  She smirked. "It's no big deal? I pretty much had to sell a kidney to get my boss to approve this time off. Besides, I don't have a Plan B. I barely had a Plan A, and we can already see how that turned out."

  "Well how about we come up with a Plan B together and we will go from there. If that one fails, then we come up with another one. Where is your sense of adventure? In case you've forgotten, my plans were always fun. You can't deny that."

  I reached for the food menu and wiggled my eyebrows. "But first we need dessert. All good plans are derived over something sinfully sweet. Isn't that what you always said?"

  I caught a glimpse of a smile, and together we looked over the menu and settled on a slice of cheesecake. I went with chocolate and she went with cherry and another round of drinks to wash it down.

  Once the cheesecake was placed in front of us, she didn't hesitate. She sunk her fork in and then took a sip of her drink and let out a breath. I watched as she took another forkful and closed her eyes as she savored the rich flavor.

  "So, tell me what Plan A was."

  "If you really want to know, I came here to meet my boyfriend of five years. We'd been planning this trip for the last six months. I was pretty sure at the time we booked he was going to propose."

  I looked around in a frantic search
.

  “Bryce, what is it?" she asked.

  "Don't tell me I am sitting in his seat, hitting on his girl?"

  She let out a laugh. "He's not here. As soon as the trip was booked, we started having…issues. He claimed that I don't try hard enough in our relationship, and that work takes a ton of my attention. I won't lie, it does take a ton of my attention, but never all of it. Anyways, he isn't here because that no-good son of a bitch broke up with me while I was flying here."

  "He broke up with you after telling you that you don't try hard enough?"

  "He did! Through a damn voice mail of all things."

  "Through a voice mail? So, he blames you for all the trouble and then he does that. I'm sorry, Mia, but he sounds like a dick. I'd say you at least deserve a better breakup than that. I'd at least have the heart to call you before you traveled all the way here."

  She let out a laugh. "Thanks, but honestly, it really doesn't surprise me. Somehow, deep down, I figured he would end up being like that. Honestly, I'm not really all that torn up about it either. Funny thing is, since that voice mail, I feel as if a thousand-pound weight has been lifted off me."

  I cleared my throat and took a sip of my drink. I certainly wasn't one to be giving relationship advice after everything I had gone through. I did, however, know how she felt because I had felt the same way after Alyssa walked out the door. I wasn't upset at the loss of her, more the idea of what she thought of me. I looked at Mia. She looked exhausted.

  "All right! Well we can't stay here forever, so what did you want to do for Plan B? Any ideas?" she mumbled, swirling her fork around her plate, picking up little bits of cheesecake.

  "Well, we can always head to my lake house. It’s only ten minutes or so from here. It's got everything we need: a fireplace, hot tub, food, comfort."

  She looked at me, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "Really?"

  "Yep. We can stay the week if you want. Let the storm pass over."

  "That sort of sounds wonderful. Better than a beach vacation, to be honest."

  That was the Mia I remembered. Even though she liked the beach, she always used to be more about comfort, and apparently, she hadn't changed. "All right, let me take care of the tab, and then we'll grab a cab."