18. Mia
Chapter eighteen
Mia
M ia's heart hammered in her chest as she locked eyes with Savannah, the friend she thought she'd lost forever. Tears blurred her vision, yet she couldn't look away.
"Is it really you?" Mia choked out, her voice barely audible.
Savannah nodded, her own eyes glistening with tears. "Yeah, Mia, it's me."
In an instant, they were in each other's arms, embracing tightly, their sobs mingling with the sound of the rain. Mia clung to Savannah like a lifeline, feeling the warmth and safety she had missed for so long. They stood there, wrapped in each other's love, their shared past binding them together.
"God, I've missed you so much," Savannah whispered into Mia's ear, her breath warm and familiar.
"Me too," Mia murmured, her cheeks wet with tears.
“I thought I’d never see you again.”
"Alright, girls." Blake's deep voice cut through the emotional moment. "Savannah, why don’t you take Mia up to your apartment? She needs some rest."
Mia glanced at him, noting the concern etched on his face. It was clear he cared deeply for Savannah.
"Okay, Daddy," Savannah replied, her voice steady and strong despite the tears still streaming down her face. She looked at Mia, her green eyes filled with determination. "Come on, let's get you settled in."
Mia gave a small nod, her hand trembling as she brushed the tears from her face. Though exhaustion weighed heavily on her, she felt a glimmer of hope in her heart, knowing she was finally safe with Savannah and their newfound family.
Before she left, Mia looked back at Jax. Her gratitude for him welled up inside her. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close for a lingering kiss. Their lips met tenderly, Jax's warmth enveloping her as she silently thanked him for his role in her rescue.
"Thank you," she whispered against his lips, her eyes meeting his hazel gaze.
"Take care of yourself, Mia," Jax murmured, his fingers brushing the back of her neck where her tiger tattoo lay hidden. "I'll be here if you need anything."
"Promise?" Mia asked, her voice barely audible, as vulnerability bled into her words.
"Promise," Jax replied with certainty, giving her one last squeeze before letting her go.
Reluctantly, Mia stepped away from Jax, her heart tugging at the thought of leaving him behind. But she knew she needed to follow Savannah, to get some rest. Besides, she was desperate to meet up with her friend, to rebuild their bond and rediscover her own strength. With a deep breath, she turned and followed her childhood friend up the stairs to her private apartment, each step echoing with the promise of a new beginning.
As they entered Savannah's apartment, Mia's eyes widened in surprise. The space was cozy yet stylish, with plush furniture and tasteful décor creating an atmosphere of comfort and safety. A far cry from the cramped, dingy rooms she'd been forced to call home at the club.
"Wow, Savannah . . . you live here? This place is beautiful," Mia breathed, her eyes taking in the details that spoke of her friend's personality—the colorful throw pillows, the bookcase filled with investigative journalism titles, and the framed photos of her and Blake together.
"Thanks," Savannah replied, a hint of pride in her voice. "It was Blake’s bachelor pad originally. But I added a few personal touches."
The mention of Blake brought a curious flutter to Mia's stomach. It was clear he cared for Savannah deeply, and Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the bond they shared.
"Come on," Savannah said gently, guiding Mia farther into the apartment. "You're probably exhausted. Let's get you settled in."
As Mia followed Savannah through her new sanctuary, she felt the weight of her past begin to lift, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the promise of safety. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to exhale, embracing the comfort of the present moment.
No anxiety.
No stress.
Just being.
Mia sank into the plush couch, the soft fabric enveloping her like a warm embrace. Savannah settled beside her, their knees almost touching as they faced each other. The dim light from the nearby lamp cast a cozy glow around them, and Mia felt a sense of safety she hadn't experienced in years.
"God, it's been so long," Mia began, her voice shaky with emotion. "I've missed you, Savannah."
"Me too, Mia," Savannah replied, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I’ve been searching for you for so long. So much has happened since we last saw each other."
As they spoke, Mia found herself opening up to Savannah like never before, sharing stories of her life in the strip club. She told her about the late nights, the leering men, and the feeling of being trapped in a life she never wanted. She also talked about Chad, her so-called Daddy. The man who had abused her like no other.
Savannah listened intently, her expression a mix of empathy and fury. "You didn't deserve any of that, Mia. I wish I could've been there for you."
"Hey," Mia said softly, reaching out to squeeze Savannah's hand. "You were trying your best to find me. You did all you could."
Their conversation shifted to lighter topics, but still remained raw and honest. Mia told Savannah how much her love of literature had helped her through her darkest hours. Savannah shared her own passion for investigative journalism, explaining how it had led her to a career dedicated to exposing corruption and protecting the vulnerable.
“So,” said Mia at last, “how did you and Blake end up together?”
Savannah took a moment, collecting her thoughts, and then began to speak of the corruption she'd uncovered, the powerful enemies she'd made, and the danger she'd faced in pursuit of the truth.
"Things got really bad," Savannah admitted, her voice trembling. "I was in way over my head. And that's when Blake found me."
Mia could see the love and gratitude shining in Savannah's eyes as she described how Blake had saved her life and become her Daddy Dom. The trust and devotion they shared were palpable, giving Mia hope that such a connection was possible for herself as well.
"Blake was my rock," Savannah confessed, her voice filled with admiration. "He helped me find the strength to keep fighting for what's right."
"Sounds like you two make one hell of a team," Mia said, a genuine smile gracing her lips.
"Damn right we do," Savannah agreed, grinning back at her friend.
Mia took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their shared pain and the strength it had given them. She looked into Savannah's eyes. "Can I ask you something?" Mia ventured, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "What's it like, having Blake as your Daddy? I mean, what’s he like?"
Savannah's face softened, and she leaned back against the couch, considering her response. "It's . . . hard to explain. But it's more than just a title, you know? He's my protector, my guide. He helps me find balance when everything feels out of control."
Mia nodded, absorbing Savannah's words and relating them to her own experiences with Jax. The connection between them felt strangely familiar yet still new and exciting. Her heart raced as she made her confession.
"Jax is my Daddy too," she blurted out, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. "I never thought I'd find someone who could understand me like he does."
Savannah's eyes widened in surprise, then she broke into a wide smile. "Are you serious? That's amazing! I saw you kissing, but I didn’t realize it was like that. You’re a Little too! It's like we were meant to be sisters, connected by our Daddies!"
They laughed and chatted about their respective relationships, sharing stories of the tender moments and playful punishments that came with being Littles to their protective Daddies.
"Having a Daddy has really changed my life," Savannah admitted, her voice filled with gratitude. "Blake helped me find my strength and taught me how to trust again. It's incredible how much love and support we can give each other."
Mia nodded in agreement, her thoughts drifting to Jax and the way he had saved her from a life of pain and despair. "I never knew I could feel so safe and loved," she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion.
"Neither did I," Savannah replied, reaching over to squeeze Mia's hand. "But now that we've found our Daddies, I think we're going to be okay."
“Shall we play something?” asked Savannah. “Snakes and Ladders or cards or something?”
Mia yawned, the weight of the day's emotions finally caught up with her. “I would love to, but . . . I think I'm ready to crash."
"Me too," Savannah agreed, stifling a yawn of her own. "Let's get some sleep."
Mia changed into the pajamas Savannah gave her, which were smooth as silk and had a giraffe print on them, then she cleaned her teeth with the spare toothbrush. The two friends climbed into the cozy bed, the soft sheets a welcome respite from the rough world they'd left behind.
Mia felt a deep sense of gratitude for this renewed connection with Savannah. As her eyes grew heavy, she thought about how much they had both endured and overcome, their bond growing stronger through shared pain and now, newfound joy.
"Goodnight, Mia," Savannah whispered, her voice drowsy but full of love.
"Goodnight, Savannah," Mia replied, drifting off to sleep with a smile in her heart.