Chapter 526: Chapter 526: Mauled

Mills pulled a staff member into a nearby coat room and knocked the man out as 'gently' as she could. She switched into his clothing, stuffing a few hundred dollars into his socks to hopefully make up for any embarrassment or trouble the man may later face. She pulled her hair down from all the clips and pins and pulled it into a neat braid that she noticed was customary for anyone who walked in and out of the kitchen.

Confident she was at least disguised enough to blend in, Mills made her way into the scullery, and toward the back door. Someone else walked in behind her, gossiping about a woman, who was somehow 'knocked' to the ground, and based on the description, Mills knew it was Mina, and that was her distraction.

With everyone focused on the gossip, Mills sipped out the back door and hopped into the first car she saw. She hotwired the vehicle and drove off the Staton family estate without so much as a second glance. All that was left for her to do was find a smuggler and leave Pan.

----

Mina was appalled by the fit of the wine-colored gown she was given to wear. It had off the shoulder, three-quarter sleeves, with a corset style bust that served as a pushup; something she did not need. The dress flared out at the hip; where it was loose and long, but it had a high slit that made Mina uncomfortable. Fortunately, Fiori had something called 'instant seam,' and she used it to fuse a part of the slit together, making the dress much more bearable.

"Perks of having older brothers," the woman said self mockingly. She stepped back to admire Mina with a sigh. "Wait until Cam sees you in this."

"Who?" Mina asked; she knew what the woman said, she heard clearly, but she was not prepared for it.

"You are Mina Harlow, right?" Fiori had to confirm her father's words. "Cade said that Cam has been chasing you. I advise you to stay far away from him, but you can still play dirty."

"Play dirty?"

"It's about time that the tables are turned on him. Now maybe he will learn how to treat a woman." Mina could not help but to think of Drax and she wondered if all men were the same.

----

Mina did not bother to stay in the main room, she could feel gazes falling on her, and she did not feel entirely comfortable in Fiori's gown. She quickly checked in with the Staton's, and went back to where she had found peace, only this time she positioned her chair to hide her form completely.

The feeling of cold and warm air mixing and swirling around her was an odd sensation that Mina found herself toying with. She mentally thought of a way to make the outdoor heating unit more efficient. She must have been studying the unit a little too intently, because she did not hear when she was joined by a large group. Shadows caught Mina's attention, and she instinctively tried to run, but Drax caught her before releasing her like hot coal.

"Whoa, what are you wearing?"

"I had to borrow it." Mina adjusted the top of the dress, knowing that Drax was referring to her bulging cleavage. President Lee, who had not spoken, handed her his jacket which she quickly slipped into.

"Where is my fiancé?"

"Somewhere in there," Mina replied, only she was not referring to Mills.

"She doesn't know anything," President Lee said, and Mina's eyes darted to the man in confusion.

"I think she is lying," Cameron responded.

"Think what you want, but just know that I have been hiding here all night. I was humiliated in front of everyone."

"What are you talking about 'humiliated?'"

"You were enjoying your conversation too much to realize, but I was tripped, and my dress was ruined, which is why I had to borrow one from Miss Fiori. Now, if you gentlemen are done suspecting me, I would like to go back to being invisible." Ian knew Mina was lying, if she truly did not know where Mills was then she would have been all over the place looking for the woman.

"Ian," Drax said. The man knew what his friend was asking, and he made a permissive hand gesture. Drax grabbed Mina by the collar of the jacket and dragged her toward the railing of the balcony. "Tell me where she is, or I'll throw you off." Mina laughed.

"Unless you drop me on my head, I'll be rendered unconscious at worst. What is this; six, maybe seven feet up?" Cameron chuckled and took a seat to watch all that was unfolding.

"Just tell him where his fiancé is."

"I already told him. She is somewhere inside." Drax released Mina and calmed himself. He continued to beg until an unknown woman appeared. It was the same woman Mina had seen Drax flirting with before her fall.

"Lydia?" she asked, and the woman's head snapped to Mina in confusion. She walked up to the woman and pressed something into her hand. "Mills sends her blessings." The woman opened her palm and her eyes widened but not as much as Drax's. He snatched the ring from Lydia, scowling.

"Explain this," he shouted. Mina leaned against the railing, catching a small smile on the face of President Lee, who must have already guessed what was going on. "You said you didn't know where Mills was."

"Never said that," Mina sang mockingly, making Cameron laugh louder. Cade, who had been extremely quiet, also chuckled before pulling Lydia back inside with him. Mina could feel Drax approaching her from behind, so she flipped herself over the railing and dangled over the ledge before letting go and falling to the ground. She looked up at Drax, who looked shocked, before sprinting away. Ian stood beside him as they watched the woman run.

"This is your fault. I told you to tell Mills the truth and not make the same mistakes I made, but you insisted."

Ian climbed over the railing, and much the way Mina had done he jumped down. He started to chase after the woman, using more speed than he had used in a long time, because she had gotten far in the time they were watching her. Suddenly, she stopped and spun on her heels, heading back toward him at a rate greater than he thought she was capable. Not understanding what was happening Ian halted, he looked behind her and saw Flake and Ginger chasing the woman.

Mina jumped into his arms, and if she had been a heavier person, the force would have made Ian fall. She shifted around his body, trying to make sure the Pomeranians could not nip at her. Ian could tell she was genuinely terrified, but he could not help but to consider buying a dog if it meant that Mina would willingly cling to him.

Ian started walking back to the balcony, lifting Mina for Cameron and Drax to hoist up before they extended their hands to him. Drax saw an opportunity, and he climbed down and handed both dogs to Cam, while Mina sat in a chair trying to catch her breath. She opened her eyes when she felt a presence looming over her, and she tried to flee again, this time stopped by President Lee.

"Mina, just tell him where she is." The woman was shaking in fear, and Ian could not help but to laugh. "You're afraid of Flake and Ginger, but not Drax?"

"I rather be killed, not mauled."

"Mauled? Mina, do those look like guard dogs to you?" Drax was busy massaging the face of one of the Pomeranians, while Cam played with another. Mina looked at the animals, and back at President Lee.

"If their brain is smaller than mine, then they are a threat." Ian gestured for the dog, and Mina started to plead. "President Lee, please just kill me." Cameron handed the dog he was holding to Drax and patted Ian's shoulder before leaving.

"Good luck with that one," he said.

comment 0 comment

Vote

SEND GIFT

Load failed, please RETRY