You are Mine Read Free Page A

nothing in the darkness as thoughts
of Brickman continued to fill his head. He hated to admit it, but
he was afraid; afraid he wouldn’t be able to protect his wife. Drug
lord, arms merchant, murderer, international fugitive -- this was
the man who was after her. He shook his head in impotent anger,
wishing there was something more he could do. Caroline shifted and
mumbled, and Brian tightened his hold protectively as he absently
planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’m not going to let him anywhere
near you,” he promised softly in the darkness.
     

Chapter Two
    Procida Island, Italy
    Jonathan Brickman rolled off his lover; a
gorgeous Italian beauty he never would have believed would give
someone like him the time of day. Often described as lumbering and
dense, he was oversized, with thinning hair and a meek personality.
No, Jonathan had no delusions about himself, and knew he was not
the kind of man who attracted women, beautiful or otherwise. But
Brunetta had proved to be different. She told him that she loved
his bigness, that it made her feel protected and dainty. And she
didn’t think he was thick-headed. In her words, he was just a man
who took his time processing life’s happenings.
    He smiled softly to himself. Whatever
Brunetta’s reason for doing it, she’d latched onto him almost
immediately after he’d arrived at the gorgeous private villa his
brother Alex had brought them to six months before. Jonathan knew
she was using him, and he didn’t care. The sex was incredible and
plentiful, and that was enough for him. He’d never had a girlfriend
before, and the only reason he’d ever had intercourse was because
there were prostitutes who would take even his money. Brunetta
moved to lie on his chest and he absentmindedly kissed the top of
her head as he continued to think about their relationship.
    He believed her to be perfect for him, and
was in the process of arranging a special night so he could propose
to her. He wanted to take care of her and her fatherless twin boys
who had just turned four the week before. She was a widow, and only
a few years older than his own thirty-seven, but no one who looked
at her would ever guess that she was past forty. A tall, athletic
looking woman, her olive skin was wrinkle-free, a fact he found
amazing in such a sunny clime. She had luxurious black hair and
dark eyes that always seemed to be sparkling with excitement. He
sighed in contentment as he thought about moving her and her
family, which also included her mother and a younger sister, back
to the States.
    Yes, life was good. It would be even better
if Brunetta would stop suggesting that he could take over his
brother’s business. She only did this in the privacy of his
bedroom, of course, but it made him uncomfortable. He felt disloyal
to Alex just discussing it; even though it was more him telling
Brunetta to stop suggesting such a thing than it was a discussion.
He didn’t want Alex’s empire, and he was happy just where he was in
the hierarchy. Somehow, he knew, he had to make Brunetta
understand.
    And he would; there was no way such a small
misunderstanding would get in the way of his happiness. He’d
finally found his woman, and he would not so easily let her go.
    “ Si sono magnifici ,” Brunetta purred
as she moved sensually against him. “ Sei proprio un amante
virile! Un tale uomo virile deve prendere quello che vuole,
no? ”
    Jonathan flushed with pleasure even as he
frowned. Calling him virile and feeding his ego about how he was
strong enough to take what he wanted was usually how she began her
not-so-subtle persuasion. “No, Brunie,” he said firmly. “I told you
that I don’t want my brother’s empire or his money. It would be
impossible for me to have either.”
    “Well, baby brother. I’m glad we agree.” The
soft, menacing voice came from the direction of the room’s
entryway.
    Suddenly chilled to the bone, Jonathan
slowly and with dread turned his head to see his older