by Grady, D. R.
The Saltaires shared an intimate look between them, the pain still evident in their eyes, and she wondered if part of their interest was because this work drew them closer to a beloved family member they had lost.
***
While Julia sought to find better methods to teach the Saltaires all she could about molecular biology, George A. Chalmers III sought to find all he could about the whereabouts of Dr. Julia McNeal.
It was as though she had disappeared from the earth, but George knew she had to be somewhere. He just needed to discover where. He couldn’t go to the police, as he was a wanted man, and anyway they might not know either. George could, however, seek answers at the Jared McNeal residence. He had a score to settle with them, anyway. Next, he would try the Jonathan McNeal residence. Jonathan had kids, which was extra special. Kids cried easier than adults.
Julia McNeal was going to shriek for him. She was going to cry for mercy, and he might just give it to her. Perhaps. It would all depend on his mood.
While mercy was dependent on his mood, finding his slut girlfriend was not. He would find her. Then he would hurt her. He might even kill her.
George shivered in anticipation as he continued his search.
Chapter 10
Julia arrived to breakfast a few days later and found Lila already there. “Good morning.”
“And good morning to you, love,” Lila returned. “How are you enjoying your stay with us?”
“Very much, thank you.”
“That’s wonderful. Do you think you could live here permanently?” Lila asked, seemingly with a nonchalant air, but she didn’t miss the assessing look. Lila was taking her measure about something and Julia didn’t think she appreciated the appraisal.
She forced herself to not squirm, with difficulty. “Sure,” she said awkwardly. Julia didn’t understand the look in the older woman’s eyes, but she thought the matriarch’s expression spelled trouble.
The timely arrival of Mallen saved her from further evaluation. Strolling through the door with a fistful of papers in one hand and his other raking through his hair Mallen’s attention was on the first page of the sheaf he held. A phone was wedged between his shoulder and ear, at least she assumed the object was his mobile, she couldn’t actually see the device.
He looked wonderful. Her eyes went wide. Where had that thought come from? She didn’t exactly panic, but darted a quick look at his mother, to make certain that lady had missed her reaction to Mallen.
Lila Saltaire’s eyes had taken on that assessing look again and Julia’s heart plummeted. Oh no! She had run across matchmaking mothers before so she now recognized the look. While flattered, she couldn’t handle Mallen Saltaire right now. This man was all male, completely fascinating, and entirely alien. Too gorgeous by half, too royal for her humble origins, and too sweet for her...
She bit off a groan. She loved sweets. He was perfect. Those eyes. Those warm, sweet eyes. That little shift happened inside her again, just a subtle, gentle spurt of growth, but a significant change nonetheless. The little awakening seed had sent up a tender shoot in the past weeks.
She carefully avoided Lila’s all too knowing eyes. Her cheeks burned, and she promptly wondered what she was supposed to do with her newfound ...whatever she suffered. Without a name, these feelings were nebulous, which heartened her. If they couldn’t be classified, they didn’t exist. Since her emotional state was precarious at best, Julia had no intention of adding a fledgling attraction for a man so far out of her realm and reach.
Mallen ended the call with the touch of a finger and tossed the papers onto the breakfast table. The phone disappeared into his pocket. “Good morning.” His greeting encompassed both women.
“Good morning, my love.” Julia noticed Lila hadn’t lost the speculative look in her eyes.
“Good morning,” she chirped, hoping to take his gaze from his mother’s face. She didn’t succeed.
“What’s that look for?” Mallen directed the question to his mother, as he helped himself to breakfast. Her heart plunged to her toes.
“What look?” Lila at least had the decency to pretend to look confused.
“That look you just gave me.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Mallen turned to Julia. “You saw what I’m talking about, right?”
She quickly weighed the merits of honesty versus lying through her teeth. Julia opted for honesty, since she figured she could help him nip whatever Lila planned in the bud. “I do. It’s that parental I-want-grandkids look.”
“You’ve seen this look before, then?”
“Of course. And I certainly saw it just now.” Both of them turned accusing eyes on Lila.
“Well!” The lady threw her arms in the air.
“She’s trying to think of a way to wiggle out of this gracefully,” Mallen said with a knowing look.
Julia nodded. “I think she’ll have some difficulty, since we’re on to her now.”
“Right. We better crush this immediately,” he said in full agreement.
“Exactly.” They both stared Lila down.
“I can see you two have decided to gang up on me...” Lila huffed, but glee was quite evident in her eyes.
His mother probably thought she had succeeded in planting seeds of romantic interest in both of their hearts. They would marry and grandkids would ensue. It was a nice little fantasy. One Julia had recently discovered growing quite well already, without Lila’s help.
“Who’s ganging up on you, Mother?”
“Hey, Gissy, you’ve been practicing your English. That actually made sense.”
“Julia’s working so hard practicing her French. I thought I should work on my English. And as I can determine Mallen’s trying to pick a fight, can I just dump some eggs over his head now, Mother?” Giselle respectfully asked her parent in French.
“No, my love, too impolite.”
“Yeah, Gissy, it’s not polite.”
Giselle settled for wholloping him one on the head.
“Hey, that’s not polite, either,” Mallen protested, although he snuck in a pretty decent smack on her bottom before she sashayed away.
“Children!” Lila reprimanded. “What will Julia think?”
Three sets of amber-green eyes turned on her.
Giselle’s eyes lit up at the same time her lips curled. “Mother, she has two older brothers, she ‘as more practeece at theese than I do.” Giselle’s English took a downward spiral as she warmed to her subject.
“I’m sure her brothers never teased her.” Mallen defended the Older Brother’s Club.
Julia mock-glared at him. “There you would be wrong.”
“Per’aps you could teach me, yes?”
“No, Julia doesn’t have time to teach you boring things like that.”
“Let the lady speak for herself,” Giselle said in French.
Since the lady in question had just placed a portion of pastry in her mouth, she didn’t feel it was well-mannered to speak. She shot a look at Lila, but that lady wore a grin.
“See,” Mallen taunted, as he raised his coffee cup to his trying-hard-not-to-smile lips. His expression still shot sparks of challenge at her, and she narrowed her eyes again.
Julia turned to Giselle. “Weaknesses, pet peeves, more ticklish spots...”
She never finished her question. “Oh yes.” Was all Giselle could agree to before he erupted out of his chair and plucked Julia from hers.
“I think now is a very good time to show Julia around the place again. She’s sure to have missed some of the amenities.” He tugged a barely resisting Julia along in his wake. She had just enough time to send a quick, “We can get together later,” over her shoulder with a wave before they disappeared through the door.
“I’m going to find out soon enough. Giselle will spill all,” she warned in foreboding tones.
He turned amused eyes on her. “I can prevent the spill from happening soon, though.”
“Of course,” she agreed. “Define soon.”
“While you’re here.”
Her laughter echoed down the hall.
Head spinning an hour later when Mallen dropped her off at the lab, she regretted their arrival back to work. He had been a courteous, entertaining host and she thoroughly enjoyed their tour. She ignored the snippy little voice telling her she relished the company more than the tour.
She appreciated his quick sense of humor and those warm eyes that seemed to linger on her face a little longer than necessary. Julia was woman enough to welcome the male response she elicited in him and human enough to be curious as to what he could possibly see in her.
Not much, according to George, but then again, Mallen wasn’t George. George’s purpose had been to dominate. Mallen’s purpose was too ... Julia wished she knew. She did notice male appreciation in his eyes. She had certainly never seen that kind of response in George.
By all rights, she should be scared silly at the thought of a man approving of her femininity.
Most would agree her initial introduction to Mallen and his subsequent abduction of her was romantic. He had kidnapped her because he was fearful of her safety and took pains to protect her. How many men would fly across the ocean to physically carry a woman out of her home to safety? How many kings would do so?
She better take a firmer grip on reality or she might get hurt again. He was a king and she was definitely not of a royal lineage. She had a decent enough pedigree but what did she know about royal behavior? Neither Mallen nor Giselle seemed to worry about royal protocol that knowing little voice whispered in the back of her mind. Which heartened her, but she refused to hope.
Right now she had to check in with Annie.
She dialed the number, hoping Jared would be home.
“Hello, McNeal residence.”
“Hello McNeal residence. This is the Saltaire home with a McNeal in residence.”
“You sound perky. Have you jumped Mallen’s bones then?”
“What?” Julia nearly dropped the phone.
A purely evil giggle emanated from Annie’s end of the line. “Just checking.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” She hated that her voice cracked.
“Come on Julia, the man’s gorgeous and he has a soft spot for you.”
Her heart leapt. “A soft spot, for me? Where did you come up with that?”
“Why not? He flew across the ocean to bring you home with him.”
“He would have done that for any woman.”
“Perhaps.” Annie didn’t sound convinced. Julia swallowed. Oh my!
She thought it prudent to change the subject. “So, is Jared home?”
“He’s here, somewhere.”
“You don’t know where he is?”
“He mumbled something about checking on the horses.”
Her stomach lurched. “Is he worried about George?”
“I don’t know.” Annie sounded sincere.
“I don’t want you two to have trouble because of me.”
“We involved ourselves. You didn’t ask for our help. You should have, but you didn’t. So we decided to make your life our business.”
Despite Annie’s attempt at humor, Julia nibbled her lip, and swung her foot in agitation. “I don’t want you hurt.”
“Hey, we can take care of ourselves. No need to worry about that. I’m a tough little private investigator, remember?” She could hear Annie’s smile through the phone as she spoke of her stint as Jared’s housekeeper so she could aid a police friend in finding her sister’s murderer. [Book 1 – Treasure Me] Since Annie didn’t seem worried, she decided she shouldn’t be either.
“You’re a biology teacher.”
“Yes. Jared’s good at reminding me about that whenever I dream up something fun.”
“He’s a bit overprotective, that Jared McNeal.”
Annie blew out a breath. “I thought it’d change after we got married.”
Julia couldn’t help her instant reaction of laughter. “Are you sure you’re a biology teacher? They need brains you know.” She left the grin on so Annie could hear the inflection and therefore not take offense.
“Honestly. It’s pathetic. But I have a good excuse.”
“Oh?” Her curiosity peaked with Annie’s cryptic statement.
“We just got confirmation today. We’re pregnant.”
Julia shrieked. That brought Mallen and Giselle at a dead run. Both of them wore alert eyes and predatory expressions. She was glad they were on her side.
Too excited to repeat what Annie had just told her, she thrust the phone at Mallen. He placed the piece cautiously to his ear. A grin showed his teeth to perfection. She sighed. The man was yummy.
He suddenly let out a shout that could have brought down the rafters. Giselle grabbed the phone from him and demanded an explanation. Moments later she yelped too. “A baby. They’re having a baby.”
She couldn’t see Giselle because Mallen grabbed her and swung her round. Julia laughed into his shirt as she held on. It was interesting, viewing the world from such heights, even if those heights moved at warp speed.
“A new niece or nephew,” he murmured with a happy grin into her ear.
“A baby,” she gushed. “Another little one to spoil.”
He held her in his arms, her face on level with his until Giselle handed the phone back to her. Being that far off the ground made taking the phone a bit awkward while braced on a fine set of manly shoulders. She reluctantly retrieved the phone from Giselle, disappointed when Mallen, with some hesitation, lowered her to the floor.
“When can I expect to be an auntie again?” she asked Annie.
“Late spring. My due date is May fifteenth.”
“So how excited are you both?”
“Very. Jared walks around like he’s stud-of-the-year.” Annie’s voice bubbled through happier and more excited than ever.
“Oh, and you don’t encourage that behavior with your doe-eyed looks, snatched kisses, and love taps?”
“Not me.” Annie laughed. “Of course, once I’m fat, he’ll hear all about getting me in this condition.”
“Like he’ll be repentant.”
“Yeah, that’s what I figured, but it might earn me some back and feet rubs.”
“Good luck,” she remarked dryly.
“I’m his wife, not his sister. And the mother of his baby. He has to be nice me.”
Julia heard an ‘oofff’ in the background. “What was that?”
“Your brother mouthed off, so I backhanded him.”
She heard masculine laughter in the background. “Glad to hear you’re keeping him in line. It’s a tough job.”
“Not every woman would be willing to take this particular project on.”
She caught the love Annie hid behind smugness, and experienced a moment of wistfulness.
Jared came on the line. “So, giving the Saltaires a hard time, are you?” He started teasing her as a greeting. Brothers.
“Of course not. There’s not been enough time.”
Mallen’s eyebrow shot up in question to her response and she told him. “Jared thinks I’m already giving you a hard time. I told him the truth.”
He wiggled his fingers for the phone and Julia gave it to him. “You neglected to warn me of this one. She is trouble,” he said to Jared, his eyes twinkling.
Gasping, Julia turned to Giselle and noticed Mallen’s sister wore a bratty look on her face. Julia approved.
“He is especially ticklish between his shoulder blades, on the nape of his neck, and here, on his ribs.”
“I say we blitz him. His defenses are down since he’s on the phone.”
The subject of their conversation had turned his back on them, which provided them with a definite advantage. Unfortunately, he must have overheard her comment, because he turned and greeted them with a scowl. She almost took a step back, but noticed Giselle’s lips curl up in an innocent smile. She copied. Mallen’s scowl gr
ew darker.
“I feel I could use some assistance, McNeal. As with my mother, sister, and your sister, I am sorely outnumbered.” His lips spread into a smile. “I did fetch her, this is true. You did not warn me of her...bratty streak.
“She landed you into trouble as children, yes, we have heard.” His eyebrows shot up. “She is the baby. Why would all of you follow her? We cannot figure this out.”
He nodded in agreement with whatever Jared said.
“So, she is that good, you say. I see. I shall have to keep a close watch on her, obviously.” Mallen chuckled and her insides cheered. Not good.
“I do have Sebastian, so yes, between the two of us, we shall be fine. You pamper your wife.”
Mallen handed the phone back to Julia. “Your brother wishes to say goodbye.”
She accepted the device. “What do you want?” she demanded. “After just landing me into trouble, I should hex you or something.”
“Julia, I’ve got your best interests at heart, always.”
“I know where you live.”
“You’re all the way across the ocean. Besides, Mallen won’t let you leave.”
She turned to face the man in question. “Yeah, don’t count on his protection. Giselle just told me where he’s especially ticklish.”
Even Jared heard the King of Sandovia’s groan.
Chapter 11
“Giselle.” Julia paused, uncertain how to ask her question.
“Yes?”
“I was wondering something since we talked to Annie?”
Giselle stopped fiddling with the cords of the gel electrophoresis to look at her. “What?”
“After George... attacked me, Annie and I arranged for her to teach me self-defense, but this pair from Sandovia kidnapped me before we could start,” she joked, but still hesitated.
Her friend solved Julia’s hesitancy. “I could teach you.” They spoke in French so Julia couldn’t use her pronounced accent as a gauge for her excitement, but she picked up that her friend was eager to help.
“You don’t mind helping me? I know you have so many other duties as Head of Security...” her statement trailed off when Giselle cut a decisive hand through the air.
