Vulcan Alvaro looked up at the two-storey building that was going to be his new home for the next...well for as long as it took to settle this little issue that had become, well... big!

Derek had been wrong when he informed him that Davina King was just an angry person or better yet, a greedy woman looking to grab some cash from them by pretending to stop their construction. Vulcan could not believe he bought that. Well, why would not he, when he had encountered many of such people in his line of business. However, Davina King was not some money grabber as he had come to realize from the elaborate lawsuit she had started against him. No, she was so much more than that. She was an enemy, working with his worst enemy to collapse his business. She was out to ruin him by getting the people of Little Hill to sign a petition to stop his construction. Oh, he got his lawyers to study the documents she threw at his face – which still hurt his pride by the way because no one did that to him and got away with it – to his horrible realization her document was sealed tight, no loopholes whatsoever. Whoever filed that report did a great job. Only a lawyer with experience and wit could pull off such a perfect case file. Such lawyers were quite expensive. He knew this because his legal team was filled with them – which only means, someone with a lot of money was sponsoring this.

Davina King had an accomplice and it was none other than his worst enemy, Antonio Valdes.

Valdes! Valdes! Valdes! Just when Vulcan thought he could not stoop any lower, he went ahead and pulled this! Tsk, tsk, tsk, this only showed how unscrupulous he was and so much more. Getting a young woman who was also shameless like him to manipulate the people of Little Hill to get on board with his sick plan was his worst stunt ever! And the people of this town, how disappointed he was in them – allowing themselves to be part of his game for what – a couple of bucks?

Anyway, Vulcan was not worried about Davina King’s lawsuit. He had all the legal documents and rights to do what he wanted with those buildings. He purchased them honestly, had documents to prove his claim and was willing to take this issue to court if that was what Davina King wanted. He was willing however; to sit with her and talk, give her a chance to back out of the game she was playing. Vulcan Alvaro was not usually this generous. He felt he had to because he felt sorry for her. She was only but a pawn in Valdes’s game and he wanted to help her get out of this quietly. What he hated was making the news headlines and frankly, the reports of him of the last week had really ticked him off. He preferred being in the news for the good reasons and not scandalous ones. Vulcan wanted to avoid a public display like what happened the last time. Therefore, he was willing for them to talk this out in private. He hated washing his linens in public and if she were not willing to agree to him terms, then she would have to face the full force of his wrath.

The ringing of his phone disrupted his troubled thoughts and he blinked, returning to reality. Vulcan pulled out his mobile phone and groaned at the name flashing on the screen – Mayor Denis Marshal. There were many things they had to discuss, but Vulcan preferred speaking to him face to face than on phone. He wanted to be looking the man in the eye when he asked him why his people were rebelling against the construction when he had assured him they were on their side. He had better not had just been playing his political games with him else...

The screeching of tyres against the graveled entrance caught his attention. Vulcan turned to his side, recognizing the car immediately. It was a company car and it was no doubt Derek was driving it. He was expecting him later in the day but it was a good thing his executive assistant was here. They had important issues to discuss and a meeting to attend.

 ***

Davina could not believe she agreed to meet him. When she had received a call early this morning from Vulcan Alvaro’s assistant, asking her for a meeting, she had sworn not to show up...to give him a taste of his own medicine. She wanted to show him how it felt like to be ignored and refused audience. However, her new partner Antonio Valdes suggested otherwise. She wanted them to meet. For what...he refused to tell her. Davina had been so prepared for them to take this issue to court and let the judge give her justice. However now, here she was, sitting in the town’s most classy restaurant. Vulcan Alvaro sat across the table from her and his assistant sat to his left.

Vulcan Alvaro, although she hated to admit it looked relaxed and oh-so-hot in a grey jeans topped with a black shirt, which cupped his arms. His pose, arms crossed, only drew emphasis to the bulging muscles of his arms. His hair was windblown and hence fell around his face. He rushed his fingers through it and pushed it to the side of his face but a stubborn lock fell back. He blinked and locked his brown eyes with her sky blues. Davina did not look away and stared hard, challenging him. If he thinks he could make her tremble with just his gaze, then he has got another thing coming. She was a hard nut and it would take more than a pretty face, gorgeous body or a hard stare to crack her.

Glancing at his wrist, he asked. “Why isn’t he here yet?”

Vulcan Alvaro was referring to Antonio Valdes. The man had asked Davina not to start the meeting with Mr. Alvaro until he arrives. But that was more than fifteen minutes ago. He should have been here by now. What was taking the man too long? Pulling out her phone, without breaking eye contact with Vulcan, she dialed Antonio’s number. It rang but there was no answer. Hanging up, she decided to say something finally.

“Let’s start.” Vulcan’s brow rose at her in question as his lips parted. It seemed like he was going to say something but then he closed his lips again. That got Davina wondering what he had wanted to say or ask.

“I read your...” he started and she quickly chimed in.

“My message?” She replied cockily with a brow raised at him. A vein pumped in Vulcan’s temple and she did not miss it.

“Yes,” he pushed passed clenched teeth. Turning to whisper something to his assistant, the man rose and left them.

“Is he going to bring the lawyer, so we can get this meeting started?” Davina asked.

“No, the lawyer is not coming today.” Vulcan told her.

Davina almost lost interested in this meeting. If the lawyer was not coming for them to discuss this issue then she did not see why she should stay. Picking her purse, she rose to her feet and started for the front door. A hand, calloused and firm, gripped her elbow. She could not stop the sharp jolt that rushed to her spine. Neither could she stop herself from gasping at the feel of those hands against her smooth skin. She felt like electricity had just been passed through her body. Its result was a nerve-wreaking tremble through her body. She became breathless.

“You, Miss King, are staying here with me.” His voice was close to her ear and she could have worn she saw a promise in his words.

Tugging her elbow free of his hold, she drew a breath with her eyes shut. Compose yourself, she whispered to herself trying to understand how she lost control of herself. She ordinarily does not react like this to a man’s touch. The last time a man laid hands on her... No! She shook her head, clearing the image that was forming in her mind.

“Mr. Alvaro,” she turned around and gasped when she came face to face with his broad shoulders. When did he get this close to her without her noticing? He was standing too close and invading her personal space. She could literally feel his body heat and smell his minty cologne. He was so close Davina felt overwhelmed with his presence. She raised her head a fraction, her gaze sweeping past his neck, to his split-chin and then his lips... They looked so pink and so soft. She could not help but wonder... Wait what? Shaking her head slightly, she skipped passed his nose to look into his eyes. Right now, he looked like a predator looking down at his prey right before the feast, with the way his lids stood in a half-open, half-closed form.

“Miss King,” he spoke her name and she almost drooled. His voice came out rough, like sandpaper and grated against her nerves, causing shivers to rush through her body. “Stay.” It was a command and she found herself obeying it.

Davina sank into the chair, glad that she made it there before her knees buckled. She could only imagine the look he would have had on his face if she had fallen. Moreover, she did not know what she would have done if he would have had to pick her off the floor. The humiliation...oh the embarrassment she would have felt.

“Welcome, would you like to...”

“Finally!” Davina moved her gaze and noticed the waiter at the table. He was scribbling Vulcan Alvaro’s orders while he leisurely flipped through the menu.

“What would you like to have Miss King?” He raised his gaze from the menu for a millisecond and it clashed with hers.

“I am not hungry.” She replied curtly. Once the waiter finished taking the order and left, Davina was glad for the privacy. Without further ado, the asked. “Why did you ask me to stay?”

“Lunch.” He replied simply as if that answers it all. “And a private chat with you to discuss this little issue we have.” He added when he noticed her brows knotted in confusion.

“Little issue?” She frowned. “This might be a little issue for you but it is not for the people about to lose their homes.” She stated.

“No one is losing their home in this.” He sighed, as if getting irritated.

“Least I remind you that you have the legal documents which contains all the information you need. Not to mention the signatures of the people who do not want this construction to take place.”

“You do not have to remind me Miss King. I have read that document, thoroughly and I know what it entails.”

“Then I guess you know that once this hits the courtroom I will win this case hands down. All the evidences are stacked against you and your company. So unless you don’t want a bad name for your company, I suggest you pack up your bags and baggage and leave Little Hill alone.”

“You do not tell me what to do!” He snapped, slamming his hand on the table.

Davina almost flinched at the fire she saw burning in his eyes. If looks could kill, she would have melted where she sat. His hand clenched to a fist on the table and a vein popped in his head. Great, he was mad.

“If you do not want me telling you what to do then...”

“No one tells me what to do Davina. So keep your suggestions to yourself.” He pushed out through clenched teeth.

She withdrew into her chair that moment, Goosebumps rising on her skin. Vulcan Alvaro looked seriously pissed. If he were not looking like he was going to pounce on her, she would have probed him further. That stare did things to her. Not the good things...however. That stare, made her remember. It made her remember the look on his face when he had...

Shutting her eyes, she chanted the words her mother had taught her whenever an unwanted memory tried to bug her. “Ladi...Dada...Didada Ladida...Dida!” Reopening her eyes, she noticed that he had composed himself and was watching her intently. He did not look like he had been the same person about to explode from pure white rage a second ago. However, he stared at her so intently she felt as though he was looking right her. She felt as if he could see right through her façade and into her deepest darkest secrets. She swallowed. The feeling was unnerving and she decided it was about time she left. There was no need to stay if she could not get through his thick skull. Clearly, he was bent on doing whatever he pleased and was not ready to come to a compromise. Once she leaves here, she was going straight to start the lawsuit against him.

“Excuse me,” she made to stand and he reached his hand out to stop her as he had done before but she was quick to smack it away with her purse. “Don’t touch me!” It was a warning and he raised a brow at her. Now standing on her feet, she met his gaze hard on, challenging him.

“Do not start that lawsuit.” He said, throwing his napkin on the table and unfolded his full length in front of her.

“Tell me Mr. Alvaro. Why shouldn’t I do that?” She asked, folding her arms in a protective stance.

“Take it as advice from me to you. If you know what is good for you, stop whatever you are doing else you face the law.”

“Did you just threaten me?” Davina gasped. Unfolding her arms, she went to hold her hips.

“Listen here, mister!” She pointed her index finger at him. “It’s not only you that does not take it lightly when others tell you what to do. I did not come to your home demanding you to do what I want, so you have no right coming here and doing just that.” She stopped to draw a breath and then continued. “I see we are never going to come to a compromise because your ego is as huge as the tallest mountain in the world, if not bigger and your heart is as little a peanut, if not smaller. I only came looking for you because you refused to meet me. For two weeks, I came looking for you, hoping you were sensible enough for meet so we can talk. But what did you do? You had security toss me out every single time as if I was a criminal! You pushed me into starting this lawsuit against you, and do not think I will stop this just because you opened your shit-filled mouth and asked me to. I do not listen to anybody. Do you hear me? Davina King does whatever the hell she wants!”

After her rant, her chest was left heaving. She realized after her outburst that it had been her creating all the noise around. If they had not been in a secluded part of the restaurant, people would have definitely stared and thought her a mad woman. Rushing a trembling hand through her dark tresses and tugging a curl behind her ear, she drew a breath to calm herself.

“Excuse me,” with those parting words, she made to walk away but then a sharp pain pierced her ankle making her let out a cry. Her face contorted in pain and she dropped to a crouching position.

“Miss King,” Vulcan Alvaro was at her side at once. Before she knew what was happening, she was being lifted into strong, muscular arms.