Chapter Forty-One
Mia had to physically push Mac out of the bathroom, his fear for her still setting his nerves on edge. She assured him she was fine, quickly grabbing a towel to cover herself. After drying off, she threw on one of Aurelio’s shirts—now clean and no longer smelling like him—paired with a pair of leggings before stepping out of the bathroom.
Mac was there, pacing. As Mia approached quietly, he turned to pace back toward the bathroom. He stopped, and she took him in. He was paler than ever, thinner too, his eyes red-rimmed. He looked ragged, as if he had been dragged through hell and somehow survived.
“Mia.” Mac breathed out, his eyes scanning her, taking stock of her as she had him.
“Mac,” Mia said, placing a hand on his arm. The teen melted under her touch, wrapping her quickly in a hug. She felt him breath out heavily, her own deep sigh escaping as she let the two of them sit there for a moment.
She pulled back, brushing a finger over his face, moving his shaggy hair out of his eyes.
“What are you doing here?” She asked quietly. Mac sighed, his face shifting to sorrow as he shook his head.
“How did you get in?” she asked instead, hoping that a simple question would help him open up.
“I heard thrashing,” he said, looking to the door. “Your neighbor was in the hall, mentioned you’ve been really depressed and handed me a key. I just came in. I’m sorry,” he added quickly. Looking to Mia. She met his eyes and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t be. I’m pretty sure you saved my life,” Mia chuckled, her lungs still burning from the water she had inhaled. “Aurelio said I shouldn’t take a bath without a lifeguard.”
At the mention of Aurelio’s name, Mac’s face fell again. Mia gently led him to the couch, prompting him to sit. He did so, letting his body fall into the cushions for a moment before sitting upright, his elbows on his knees, hands rubbing in front of his face.
“Mia,” Mac said, urgency suddenly creeping into his voice. “I didn’t know he was back.” He looked at her, his eyes wide with fear. “If I had, I would never have told them about it.”
“What are you talking about, Mac?” Mia asked, more confused than ever. “Told who what?”
“That cop,” he said, “the one you introduced to me at the diner.” Mia shook her head, pieces suddenly fitting together.
“I’ve been working with Detective Daniels.” He spoke so softly she thought she had misheard.
“I never would have done what I did, not if I had none he was back, Mia” Mac looked at her pleadingly.
Mia was sure she had blacked out in the tub; she must be dead, and this was a dream.
“What?” she finally managed, her senses returning. “You’re working with Detective Daniels?”
“Yes, I have been since that day,” Mac said, his hands rubbing along his thighs nervously. “After talking with you, I realized I was the reason Aurelio had been stuck in this mess for three extra years. I owed him.” Mia could see the regret in his eyes, she could feel the shame he felt.
“I thought I could work to get the gang busted so Aurelio could stay out for good. No boss, no debt.” Mac swallowed, and Mia stared in disbelief.
“And it kind of worked.” Mac looked to her, a small smile on his lips. “I joined Dominick’s gang, gathered all the information on the job, and told Detective Daniels. They raided it, busting the whole gang up. But Dominick got away.” Fear crept back into his features.
“He claimed Aurelio had sabotaged the job, broken the blood pact.” Mac swallowed hard, his adam’s apple bobbing. Mia nodded, moving on autopilot as she absorbed all the information.
“Dom, he told the boss everything—about you and your relationship.” Mac shook his head. “The boss called Aurelio back in, but I didn’t know!” Mac threw his hands at Mia, grasping her tightly.
“I promise! I didn’t know!” A tear broke free, rolling down the kids face. “He had called me; when he was out, and I told him to fuck off!” Mac slapped a hand on his head, Mia grabbing his hands again to stop him.
“I didn’t listen when he said leave, I wish he had just left me!” Tears rolled down Mac’s face as he held her. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have mentioned the next job. I would’ve stopped helping him.” He let go of Mia, his face falling into his hands.
“Mac,” Mia said as calmly as she could manage, her heart racing. “What happened?”
“Last night,” Mac wiped his eyes quickly. “Dominick and Aurelio fought.” Mia took in a sharp breath.
“I got called to come in, was told there was a main event—a pact had been broken. I didn’t know it was them. All I knew was the accusing party was calling in the terms, a fight to the death.” Mac was still crying. “I didn’t know it was them.” He said again, eyes pleading with Mia to believe him. “I didn’t know anything about it.” His whole body shook with distress.
“Mac,” she said, desperation clear in her voice, her hand on his back as he shook with sobs. “What happened?” Mia felt her own tears fall quietly.
“Aurelio,” He continued. “He walked in, claimed that Dominick broke the pact by revealing information he had sworn to keep. Claimed Dom had broken the pact.” Mia swallowed hard again, her throat tight.
“Dominick agreed to the terms, and the fight was set.” Mac closed his eyes. “I found out about all this an hour before the fight went off. Aurelio came out ready to kill him.” He looked at Mia. “He was so angry, he didn’t even flinch Mia. Dom hit him over and over and he just didn’t move.” Mia felt her fingers brush her lips, her own body numb as she pictured him.
“Dom was smirking, Aurelio just took it. And then.” He paused, his eyes wide. “He just unleashed.”
“No one said a word about the raid or anything.” Mac looked at her again. “I wasn’t sure it had even happened. I’ve been at the safe house.”
“I called Detective Daniels, he told me it what happened and I had to piece together the rest.” Mac squeezed her fingers. “He told me about Oliver too,” he added. “I’m glad your brothers were here to get him busted.” Mac looked around again, confusion crossing his face,
“Wait, where are your brothers?” he asked, and Mia shook her head.
“Matty and Melvin left.” she said, waving a hand. “Focus. You found out about all this at the fight that happened yesterday?”
“Yes.” He shook his head.
“Mac,” Mia grabbed his hands, falling to her knees in front of him, forcing him to meet her gaze. “Is Aurelio, okay?”
Mac was quiet for a moment too long, the seconds dragging on before he shook his head yes.
“He beat the shit out of Dominick.” He said quietly. “The boss isn’t happy; he’s calling for Aurelio to take over the jobs lined up. Aurelio agreed, but he’s so angry. It’s like he’s given up. He doesn’t care.” Mac lifted a hand over his eyes, the other still clasping Mia’s.
“He wouldn’t even look at me.” Mac let out a sob as he spoke. “He just stared, didn’t even acknowledge me.” She held the kid and let him cry, she knew how much Mac cared for Aurelio. “He hates me, I know he does.” Mia patted his back and told him no.
“Mac, he just wanted you out, he didn’t want you trapped in shit when he wouldn’t be around to help you.” Mac nodded as she spoke, the tears falling quietly.
She let go and stood, knowing what they needed to do. If Aurelio had given up, if he was being forced to work for the boss because the boss knew about her, she had to do something to get him out. Aurelio was staying away to keep her safe. A mix of relief and sadness swept through her. She wouldn’t let him ruin there future without letting her have a choice in the matter.
“Okay, get up,” she said, forcing her tears away. “Show me where this fight happened.”
“Mia,” Mac said, shaking his head. “No way. He would kill me.”
“And I won’t?” she replied, stepping closer to him. “Take me there, now.”
“Wait,” Mac said as Mia turned to grab her keys. “There’s more.” He breathed deeply, letting the air blow through his pursed lips.
“The next job is a setup.” Mac gripped her fingers. “I helped set it up, I thought Dom would be locked up and all that would be left would be Boss.” Mac pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes scrunching closed. “The cops are the buyers. The boss is going to be there himself, and now Aurelio will be at his side.” Mac let out a groan “If I had known Aurelio was going to be there, I would have put a stop to it, but it’s too late now. The job is happening in a few hours. Everyone is already on their way.”
Mia felt her heart shatter all over again. She was too late; Aurelio would be out of her reach, headed straight for a trap.
Fear clung to her as she tried to calm her breathing. The walls closed in, the loft to small as her lungs constricted.
“No.” she said. Thinking quickly, she pulled her phone from her pocket and typed a message to him on the app that had brought them together. Neither had used it in weeks, but she knew the tone was different. He would hear it and maybe—just maybe—check it. She typed and hit send, hoping it worked.
Don’t give up on me. I haven’t given up on you. I love you, Aurelio. Come home to me.
She watched her phone, the message blinking back at her, minutes passing.
“Come on,” she said, eyes watering. “Please.” Three little dots appeared, and then the phone chimed.
I’m sorry.
Mia let the phone fall, her heart stopping. Mac grabbed her as she fell to her knees, sobbing. He held her there, his own cries echoing in the small space. She felt her lungs tighten, the air growing heavy around her. The walls began to close in, her mind spiraling. She could do nothing to stop the panic attack taking hold, plunging her into a spiral of anguish and fear. The shirt she wore was his; the heart she held in her chest was his too. She thought of his arms around her, the promises they had shared, the hopes.
Slowly, she felt the pull of fear begin to even out. She stood, Mac letting her go.
“No,” she said. “NO!” She snatched the phone from the floor and typed again.
I’m coming. I will pull you out myself. You are mine; I am yours. No matter what.
Turning to Mac, she shoved him toward the door.
“Take me there, now.”