THE TYCOON'S REBEL BRIDE(44)

where Theron stood.

“Why do you think Isabella is here?” he demanded.

“I have it on good authority she is,” Reynolds said grimly. “You’re looking in the

wrong—”

He was cut off when music began blaring behind Theron. He winced and turned

around only to see the curtain rise and stage smoke slither sensuously up the long legs of

a woman.

She wore thigh-high boots that only accentuated her slim legs and drew attention

to her shapely behind. She began rocking in rhythm to the music, her hips swaying as her

arms fell gracefully to her sides.

As the smoke cleared, she raised her arms and gripped the pole in front of her. But

Theron’s gaze was drawn to the tattoo in the small of her back.

He knew that tattoo. Knew it damn well. He should; he’d spent plenty of time

fantasizing about it.

And then she turned, whirling around in a mass of blond hair—fake blond hair.

He saw her eyes before she saw him. He saw the fear in her gaze, the wild panic as she

surveyed the room full of men all eyeing her like a tasty treat.

Theron’s blood boiled.

She looked up and locked gazes with him, her fear turning to utter shock as

recognition flickered in her eyes.

Thirteen

I sabella blanched when she saw Theron who was clearly furious standing beyond

the group of men all crowding the stage. He vibrated with rage, and his eyes flashed as he

stared her down.

She had the sudden urge to cross her arms over her breasts and run for cover.

Before she could seriously contemplate doing just that, Theron stalked forward,

closing in on the stage like a predator on the hunt.

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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE

62

MAYA BANKS

SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944

THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS

He didn’t stop at the edge, didn’t call out to her to come down. He jumped onto

the platform, and in one swift motion hauled her into his arms and threw her over his

shoulder.

She gave a startled cry just as the music stopped and the place erupted in chaos.

She raised her head to see Reynolds, Maxwell and Davison fend off the security guards

trying to come to her aid.

Customers rose from their seats and viewed Theron with gaping mouths, but were

too civilized to embroil themselves in the situation. It would probably ruin their

thousand-dollar suits anyway.

The floor spun crazily as Theron leaped down. The force drove the breath from

her, and she wiggled trying to get him to ease his grip.

He merely tightened his arm over the back of her legs as he strode for the exit.

Then she heard him snarl, “Back off, she’s mine.”

And surprisingly, he walked through the door and into the night.

Still stunned, Isabella made no effort to free herself from his grasp, not that it

would have done any good. His arm was like a steel band around her body, and he

walked effortlessly, bearing her weight as if it were nothing.

He stopped at his car, and leaned down to thrust her through the opening into the

interior. Immediately, he climbed in beside her and slammed the door.

“Imperial Park,” he said curtly.

Laying at an odd angle on the seat, she attempted to straighten herself, but her

legs bumped into him, and she pulled them hastily away which only made her position

more precarious.

Damn the boots. She felt gawky and ungainly. A glance down made her gasp in

dismay when she saw that her cleavage was precariously close to spilling from the

suggestive top. She folded her arms over her chest and scooted back until her back hit the

other door.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he silenced her with a glare.

“Not a word, Bella. Not one damn word,” he said menacingly. Anger vibrated off

him in waves. “I’ll have a full explanation when we return to the hotel. Until then I don’t

want you to say anything.”

She swallowed then gulped as she stared wordlessly at him. Never had she seen

him so…angry! He was usually so unbothered. Cool and collected. He was the epitome

of order and calm.

The Theron she knew would never haul someone out of a public place nor would

he snarl at a security guard twice his size.

She looked away, wrapping her arms a little tighter around herself.

“Here,” he said gruffly as he shrugged out of his suit coat.

He held it out with one hand and pulled her forward as he settled it around her

shoulders. She tugged at the lapels to bring it tighter around her, grateful that it at least

covered her.

Several long minutes later, they pulled up to the hotel. Theron gave her a look that

suggested she stay put, and she complied. He got out and walked around to her side and

opened the door.

To her surprise, he reached in, drew his coat together so that not an inch of her