CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I wasn’t sure if I was awake or still dreaming. As bits and pieces of the night before started to come back, I recalled Mia and I having fun at the pub. Her panic attack. That scorching kiss.
I felt my cock getting even harder as I remembered her lips and the touch of her little hands. As small as she was, Mia held a power over me I could never imagine someone else having. And weirdly enough, I was glad she did .
More than anything, I wanted that kiss to have turned into something more. But I also wanted her to be comfortable with me for that. Our first time was explosive and left me mad at myself for my lack of self-control, and angry at her for ruining everyone else for me.
But I knew she was vulnerable the night before. And maybe it’d be better if we both kept our distance for a while, until we could understand what was going on between us.
Still in my hazy state, I felt the mattress dip under some weight followed by warm breath in my ear, and my heartbeat sped up.
Screw waiting and keeping distance. If she wanted to take things further, I most definitely wouldn’t say “no.”
I was about to turn around to encourage her advances when I felt the wettest lick ever on my ear and smelled liver breath.
“What the f— Hugo? ”
I lay on my back, as my furry friend climbed on my chest and barked before licking my face. He wasn’t the tease I was expecting, but it was better than the many nights I’d woken up alone.
“Well, good morning to you too, buddy. How did you get in? Are you allowed—”
“ What the hell? ”
I looked at Mia, who stared at us with a deep frown that only made me want to kiss her more. “I’m so sorry, we didn’t want you to find out like this.” I petted his head again. “How did he get in?”
“Oh, right, I forgot to mention. He can open this door. So, unless you want a night visitor, you might want to lock the door.”
“I wouldn’t mind the night visits,” I let slip truthfully.
She licked her lips and gave me a small smile before shaking her head. “I’d never expected to be betrayed by my best friend. Hugo, for God’s sake, have some self-respect. And you,” she pointed a finger at me, “stop hogging my dog. And put on a damn shirt. I don’t need to look at your chest.” He barked happily at her as if to invite her in, and I almost did the same. “Hugo, you’re sleeping outside tonight.”
I rub a very comfortable Hugo. “That’s just cruel, he can’t sleep there.”
She leaned her head to the side as if confused. “I thought you’d want some company.”
I chuckled and called after her as she left. “Oh, come on. We can find a way to make it work between the three of us.”
I heard her laughing before she repeated in a hard voice, “Stop hogging my dog!”
After endless petting, I finally managed to wriggle out from under Hugo and put on a damn shirt, as I was told. I found Mia in the kitchen already dressed, her “ If life turns its back on you, slap its butt ” shirt on full display .
“You’re up early.”
“I wanted to get some time with Gabe before he left for school.”
I rested my hips against the counter. “You miss him, huh.”
She leaned beside me and looked down. “I do. I know it’s silly, I mean, he and Haley are just living upstairs. But they have lived here since he was just a few months old.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “It was a good decision for them. I’m happy she made it. It’s just…it feels like the closing of a chapter. One I wasn’t ready for.”
“Not all new chapters are bad. And some stories continue and even get better after turning a page.”
Mia bit her lip and looked down. “Not Haley’s, though.” Mia slapped her legs, ready to change the subject. “Well, since I’m up, I’m heading to the company to get started on a couple of things before we dive into the cartel. But you take your time.” She fished a key from her pocket and placed it on the counter. “This is for you. Just come whenever you’re ready.”
“I appreciate it. I’m going to take a shower and then I’ll meet you at the company.”
She scoffed. “After the night you and Hugo had, you probably need it.” I laughed as she picked up the carafe to fill her to-go cup. “Coffee or tea? ”
“Coffee, please.”
“Wrong. It’s tea.” She grinned at me. “Enjoy.”
She petted Hugo and kissed him goodbye, then left.
I was about to go to the bathroom when I noticed a little note by the tea.
I know you’re fond of handcuffs, but Hugo is more into bones.
Either way, I hope you both find what you’re looking for.
Who would’ve thought arresting me by mistake could bring you a love and furry story?
Best.
Your Mistake.
The Spitfire struck again.
I chuckled as I slipped the note into my pocket and headed to the bathroom. I couldn’t help wondering if she was right. If I’d indeed found a love story.
I walked into the company and waved at Haley in the reception .
“Good morning.”
She smiled at me. “Hi, Ethan. How was your first night as my neighbor?”
I couldn’t quite tell her I’d kissed Mia the night before and woke up with a kiss from Hugo. I pushed my glasses up on the bridge of my nose. “Uneventful.”
She threw me a knowing smile. “I’m so glad you’re staying with Mia.”
I pondered. “She didn’t seem so thrilled yesterday. But I think we’re finding our ground.”
She tapped her fingers on her desk and leaned over, saying quietly, “Don’t let her sharp ways fool you.”
“What do you mean?”
Haley smiled fondly. “She’s always fun and quick to make a joke. But Mia cares about the people who matter to her. You won’t find anyone more loyal or more willing to lend a hand. If it weren’t for her, Gabe and I would’ve probably starved in the streets.” To my surprise, she explained with a sad face, “I didn’t have an easy upbringing, but she took me and Gabe right in, no questions asked.”
“I didn’t know, I’m sorry.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Don’t be. I’m not. It ended up bringing to my life more than I’d ever expected.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Even if we lost so much along the way. ”
I stepped closer to her and said quietly, “I’m truly sorry for your loss. He seemed to be a remarkable man.”
Her sad and longing smile as a lone tear ran down her face was a punch to the stomach. “He was the best man I knew. And the only one I loved.”
“I wish I could’ve known him.” And I meant that.
“You and Zach would get along great.” She giggled softly. “He was also one of the only ones who could handle Mia’s fiery ways.”
I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “I’m not sure I’m doing a good job on that.”
“Oh, you are. Believe me. You didn’t meet her a while ago. Please, don’t see what I’m saying as a betrayal to her. She’s my best friend, and I was worried sick about her.” She shook her head in distress, and to my surprise, she ended up confiding her pain in me. “For so long, I felt like I was going to lose more than my Zach. Not only because of her time in the hospital. But because she was spiraling into her grief. And misplaced guilt.”
I had so many questions about what she was saying. Why the hospital? Why was her guilt misplaced? What happened the day she lost her brother? What could I do to make it all better?
After a while of both of us lost in our musings, Haley looked up at me and smiled. “She’s been different for the last couple of months. Mia’s still a work in progress. We all are after what happened. But I feel like we’re starting to get our old Mia back. At least a little bit of her. And that shift started when she met you. When you arrested her.” She giggled at my embarrassment and then whispered, “So, keep doing whatever it is you’re doing. We’re all thankful for it.”
It was a good thing her phone desk rang because I had no idea what to say. That she thought I was good for Mia was a heady feeling. But beyond that, I was intrigued. It seemed to me I had a lot more to learn about Mia, her past, and what she’d been through.
When we started our whole charade, I was so sure I had her pegged, that I failed to consider I might've been wrong in my first judgment. For too long, I was focused on getting to know the woman I thought I should investigate. Then I channeled my energies into finding out if she was corrupted.
Despite my reluctance, I began catching glimpses of the Mia everyone around me was talking about: the selfless, albeit a bit crazy one; the hurting, yet fun one; the loyal and caring one—the one I could easily fall for, if I wasn’t careful. If I hadn’t already.
I waved at Haley as she talked on the phone, and then I headed to the conference room to meet Mia and the guys, but I only found Ben and Danny seated at the large table.
Danny saw me first. “Hey, man. I didn’t hear you and Mia come in.”
I frowned. “Isn’t she here already? She left home before me.”
Ben grinned. “Home? Aren’t you comfortable? Although, after seeing you two getting all cozy last night, I can’t say I’m surprised.”
I felt my cheeks getting warmer and silently thanked Danny for redirecting the conversation.
“She left before you?”
“Yes. She said she wanted to look at some documents before we all started the day. She was supposed to be here already. Is that a bad sign?”
“Not really,” Ben answered, although he looked worried. “Maybe she decided to go somewhere first.”
“Any chance she stopped by her parents?” Danny asked quietly.
Ben shook his head. “I don’t think so. After all that happened…”
He left it hanging, and I took it as an opportunity to learn more about her.
“What happened exactly? Aaron mentioned a few things, but it felt like there was more.”
Ben slid on his chair chuckling, crossed one shin over his knee, and interlaced his fingers over his stomach. “Man, do you have time? That woman has been driving us crazy since I met her. What did Aaron tell you?”
I thought about our conversation. “He mentioned the truck you stopped.”
Ben laughed. “That was a good one. When she sets her mind on something, she’s worse than a dog with a fucking bone. What else?”
“He told me about Izzie going into labor, after your…father ran them off the road.”
Ben sneered. “Yeah, the father dearest. Satan blasts his soul. Danny found them first on the side of the road and delivered Teddy.”
Danny nodded. “The car was destroyed. Mia was bleeding and had a concussion, but she refused to leave Izzie’s side.”
Ben’s jaw ticked. “Did Aaron mention when I moved in with the Bryants?” I shook my head. “It’s not a fun story, so I’ll give you the abridged version. Michael was an abusive son of a bitch. He killed my mother when I was a kid and enjoyed letting me starve and using his fists to talk to me. Zach, Mia, and their parents were the ones who fed and clothed me. Then one day, the devil caught me by surprise. He was in one of his violent rampages and tried to kill me. I tried to fight back, but he got me good. Mia showed up and hit him with an iron bar. Keep in mind that she was thirteen. If you think she’s short now, you should’ve seen her back then. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy about it. He attacked us both, and we were forced to fight back until Zach arrived. Mia and I left the place bleeding and limping. That’s how she got that fucking scar on her eyebrow.”
My jaw was set so hard, it was giving me a headache. I fisted my hands on my legs and tried to count my breathing until I cooled down. If he wasn’t dead already, I would’ve killed him myself.
“You and me, both, Ethan.” I hadn’t even realized I said that out loud. He snapped his fingers. “And then the whole thing with Matias.”
Danny rubbed his face. “I guess you know about how he kidnapped Sofia and then Lisa?”
I nodded. “I read Aaron’s reports about them.”
A few months before, Matias was trying to go up the ranks in the cartel and kidnapped Danny’s adorable daughter. When the guys—and Mia—got her back, Matias decided to go for Lisa, Danny’s gorgeous partner—and life’s apology to him after putting Andrea, his ex, on his way.
Danny continued, “When Matias realized he was cornered, he forced Lisa into a car with him and drove straight into a frozen lake. Mia and I had to dive in to get her back. She didn’t hesitate, she just jumped right into it. After I shot Matias and we brought Lisa up to the surface, it seemed she was gone, and I started to freak out. Mia didn’t rest until Lisa was breathing again.”
I remembered how she jumped into the cartel’s building to save my ass. When she risked getting shot by a sniper to rescue Maria. “So, she really doesn’t have any sense of self-safety.”
Ben shook his head. “None whatsoever.”
“And what happened here? When…her brother…?”
Ben pursed his lips and shifted in his seat.
Danny closed his eyes in pain. “The cartel and Michael were sniffing around, looking for someone. They invaded the company to go through our files when Izzie and Mia arrived. To save Izzie’s life and put an end to Michael’s—”
My phone rang inside my pocket, startling me. I fished it out, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight of her name calling me.
I slid my thumb on the screen to answer the call. “Mia?”
“Ethan…” Her distressed voice froze my insides. “We’re in the hospital. It’s your grandfather…he had a heart attack.”