Confronting Nick
Amelia didn’t hesitate to let the other group approach her. She knew the Backstreet Boys were not the enemy, no matter what camp she worked with. These men had protected her privacy and they had rescued her when she had needed a rescue. Brian and Howie had taken turns hold ice packs to her face to keep the swelling down. Kevin and AJ had gone off on Nick for what he had done – and kept him away from her until she took her leave. They were like brothers. And Nick – yes, he had tried to do something unspeakable to her, but he was a sad human being if he couldn’t get his temper under control.
“Hey, girl!” Howie gave her an enthusiastic hug.
Brian took her chin in his hand to inspect the face. “It left a scar,” he muttered.
“Only on the outside,” she assured him.
“Are you sure about that?” Kevin asked.
“Yes.”
“We shouldn’t’ve had to lose you,” AJ stated.
“I couldn’t stay,” she told him softly.
“I know. We all know.”
“Hey, baby.” Nick stepped between her and the others, effectively blocking her off. He gave her that boyish grin of his that used to affect her – the effect now was irritation.
“Nick.”
“I want you back. It could be like before.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Over one little mistake?” He placed a hand on her arm.
“It was much more than—“
“Get – your hands – off her!” came a low, male growl from behind.
Amelia turned to see JC, bristling at the sight of Nick near her – touching her made it even worse.
“Man,” Nick sneered, “this is none of you business. It’s between me and my girl.”
“Your girl?” JC’s eyebrows went up. “I don’t think so. You can either get the hell away from her or—“
Amelia saw blood lust in her man’s eyes. She had to defuse the situation before some thing happened that would be in print in the morning! “It was wonderful to see you all again,” she said to the other four men. “And, Nick, I am not your girl. I never will be – and it’s plenty of JC’s business.” She walked over to JC and took his arm. “Let’s go find our seats.”
There was no mistaking the protective, primitive male glare tossed Nick’s way as JC put an arm around Amelia.
“I’d say our little girl grew up and found herself a man,” AJ observed.
Nick merely stared after them, scowling.
“I had it under control,” Amelia muttered as JC maneuvered her through the crowd.
“Just the sight of him touching you…”
“Hush, baby,” she crooned softly. She realized it was hard for him not to want to rush to her defense for a past wrong. It was one of the things she loved about him. His sense of decency.
“Ami...” He tossed her a helpless look.
She reached up to kiss him softly. “I just don’t want to cause a scene the tabloids would love to run with. I think you’re wonderful for wanting to charge to the rescue. But don’t go slaying dragons for me – even though you make a very handsome white knight.”
“Amelia” Nick found Amelia alone, without her escort and his bodyguard. He took her arm, more or less dragged her down a deserted corridor.
“Get your hand off me,” she growled. When she tried to pull away, his grip tightened painfully. “Don’t try that Neanderthal crap with me.” She knew she’d have to bluff her way though this. Even Nick knew JC couldn’t come to her rescue – he was on stage performing. “It didn’t work the last time. It won’t work this time.”
“There’s nobody but you and me here, baby.”
“I’m not your baby. Nick, it’s over. It’s been over.”
“I never said it was over.”
“It wasn’t your decision to make.”
“You just walked away.”
“You didn’t give me much choice.”
“I asked you to marry me.”
“That was supposed to make it all better? Only a fool would marry a man who comes in drunk and tries to rape her. I’m no fool.”
“You got me back for that.”
“And your first reaction was to hit me.”
He touched the scar where the impact had torn flesh. There had been a time when she would have melted at his touch, the way he was looking at her. Now, it made her skin crawl. “I didn’t mean to mar your pretty face.”
“So, you’d just prefer the scar didn’t show.”
Backing her against up against the wall, his face lowered – the intent to kiss her plain in his eyes.
“Don’t,” she warned. “I promise to bite you.”
“Amelia, you didn’t useda be such a bitch.”
“And just whose fault might that be?”
“You need to come back, baby. Everybody got mad when you left.”
“No. I like where I am. I have a future—“
“You liked where you were.”
“I couldn’t have grown with you – and I didn’t like what I’d become. I didn’t like what you had become.”
“I’ve worked on that.”
“I’m glad for you. I really am. Now, let go.”
“No.”
“I suggest you do.” The low growl sounded like a feral animal protecting its mate.
Both turned to see JC standing at the entrance of the hall, flanked by both groups of men. The nine of them presented a united front to protect Amelia.
JC held out his arm to Amelia. “Come here, Ami.”
Nick backed away from her, dropping his hand from her arm.
Though she wanted to run and hide her face in JC’s chest, Amelia forced herself to walk calmly to his side. The desire to crumple, once his arm was around her, was strong.
“You okay, baby?”
“Yes,” she said softly, knowing she wasn’t fooling him with her brave front. He had to feel the effort it took to hold herself steady.
Not caring what any of the others saw, JC pressed her close, nuzzling her hair. It was all he could do not to rip the other man apart. He felt how she trembled. He could smell her fear. Then he looked at Carter. “Didn’t I make myself clear enough the first time?” he demanded harshly. “Is this plain enough for you? Stay the hell away from Amelia!”
“We already want a piece of you, Carter,” Justin grumbled. “Just give us a reason.”
Even sweet Lance put in his threat. “Any time. Any place. We’re ready.”
“I just want to go, JC,” Amelia whispered.
JC nodded. “I’ll take you, Ami,” he crooned soothingly. He looked to the others. “Make my apologies, guys. Ami comes first.” Leading her away, they passed Nick. “I mean it. Next time, you’re all mine,” he snarled.
JC was totally unprepared for what happened when they reached their hotel room. The quiet, fairly calm Amelia broke down into inconsolable tears. Nothing he could say seemed to sooth her and she refused to be held.
Finally he pleaded, “Baby, tell me what to do!”
“Nothing,” she managed to whisper. “Just give me some time.” Knowing she was upsetting him, she removed herself to the bathroom and closed the door.
JC could only wait so long before he began to worry. It wasn’t like Amelia to shut him out. They shared everything as friends and as lovers. He had never felt so helpless as he did now in the face of Amelia’s pain and fear. Despite her rather independent and fierce façade, she was truly terrified of Carter – and JC wanted to pulverize the other man for frightening her once again.
“Ami—“ JC pushed open the door between them – and the sight that greeted him made his blood boil.
Amelia stood there in her nightgown, inspecting her bruised arm. Quite clearly, the imprint of separate fingers could be seen.
“Oh, God, baby!” Rage took over. “I’m gonna go back and kill the bastard!” He swung on his heels and headed for the door.
“No!”
He was nearly to the door of the suite before she caught him. She pressed her back to the door, trying to block his exit.
“Out of my way, Ami,” he commanded roughly.
“No. Not until you promise to stay here.”
”That’s not happening. I can’t do it. Dammit, he hurt you again! I’m not letting him get by with it.”
“Please, Josh, don’t. This isn’t the answer.”
“I can’t just to do nothing.”
“I don’t want you getting into a fight over me.”
“You can’t ask a man not to defend the woman he loves, Ami. It’s in the DNA.”
Moving away from the door, she went to him, wrapping her arms around his middle, laying her head on his chest. “Josh, please, just stay here and hold me.”
“Ami—“
“Please?”
JC released a gusty sigh. His arms came around her, pressing his mouth to the top of her head. “He’s gotten away with hurting you again. I don’t like it one bit.”
“I doubt very much he is going to ‘get away’ with it. If I know the guys, they’ll exact their own brand of punishment, like they did the last time.”
JC traced a light fingertip over the bruises. “I swear, next time—“
“There won’t be a next time.”
“Damn straight,” he growled. “I should’ve had security stay with you.” Why hadn’t he done that? She would have been safe. “I’m sorry I let you down.”
She raised her head to meet his eyes. He blamed himself! “You’ve never let me down.”
“Tonight I did. I should have known he was a risk—“
“No one knew he’d do this. I certainly didn’t.”
“Brown-eyes—“
“Just hush. I’ve never known anyone I could count on more.”
“But—“
She placed a gentle hand over his mouth. “Let it go, baby.”
“Ami—“ he mumbled beneath her hand.
“I mean it. Let it go, right here, right now.”
JC reached up to remove her hand and placed a kiss in the palm. “You’re such a strong, brave girl.”
Amelia didn’t consider herself particularly courageous. She had been truly terrified of what Nick might have done, if JC and the others hadn’t intervened.
“Courage isn’t lack of fear, Ami. It’s facing the fear and not backing down.”
If he had arrived on the scene minutes later, she didn’t know how brave she could have been.
He led her to the bed. He could see her reserve of calm was about at an end. She was going to crash and burn soon. He lifted the covers. “In you go.”
The fight had gone out of her, leaving her feeling weak. Climbing between the sheets, she put her back to him, facing his pillow. She felt him lean low and brush his mouth against her cheek.
“I’ve got to take a shower. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
When JC returned to the bed a few minutes later, Amelia was asleep. Her face was buried in his pillow, like she had found comfort in his presence. He could give her that much, he thought grimly. He couldn’t go and pulverize the bastard…
“Mmm…Josh,” she purred when he pulled her into his arms, letting her body rest against his.
“I’m here, baby girl. Sweet dreams.”