Chapter Forty-Two
Mac drove faster and faster, his urgency palpable. He kept insisting she shouldn’t go, that it was too dangerous for her to be anywhere near, but Mia didn’t care. She was determined to save Aurelio; he wasn’t allowed to throw himself onto a knife for her. Mac pulled into an abandoned shipyard; several cars parked haphazardly around them. Scanning the area, she didn’t spot Baby. She knew the car wasn’t in his possession anymore but still, she felt the disappointment hit her chest. Something told her he was here anyway, a spark inside her heart.
As Mac lead her toward the distant lights, Mia took in the scene: a crowd of people, all armed. Her heart raced as Mac pulled her hand back to him. He put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to crouch down.
“Mia, stop!” he hissed quietly as she took another step forward. “You’ll be spotted in no time. Stay here!” he yell-whispered at her.
He slipped into the bushes, and she watched him approach a guard with a gun, offering a small salute. The guard nodded and continued his patrol. Mac moved down the dock, joining a small group of men. Mia strained to see through the thick foliage blocking her view of the warehouse where she suspected the deal was going down. Just then, Aurelio walked into view.
Her breath caught in her throat. He wore black jeans ripped at the knees, a fitted black V-neck shirt, and a leather jacket that helped him blend into the shadows. She watched as he cocked back his fist and let it fly, landing a solid punch to Mac’s face. Mac stumbled backward, drawing the attention of everyone nearby, but they quickly looked away as Aurelio glared at them.
“You already had your show; get to work!” he barked at the men around him. He stood tall, the other men ducking away as he walked by. Mac staggered back toward Mia, Aurelio right behind him, fury etched across his features. As he reached the bushes where Mia hid, the guards turned away, ignoring the unfolding drama.
“Why are you here, Mac?” Aurelio roared, his voice cutting through the air. She watched him grip Macs, collar, turning him to look at him. Mia could feel the force in voice from her concealed position.
“I brought you something,” Mac replied, and Aurelio let him go. “It’s just back here.”
Aurelio narrowed his eyes, glancing toward Mia’s hiding spot. She ducked down, uncertainty flooding her. What if he didn’t want her? What if he was so angry he told her never to reach out again? She remembered how he had pulled her off him, the way he had shoved past her. How he hadn’t even said goodbye. Her heart raced as Aurelio stepped behind the bush.
Sparks flew between them as their eyes met. Mia watched as his expression shifted from relief to happiness, then sadness. Finally, his face settled in anger. Without a word, he reached through the bush, grabbing Mac by the collar.
“Why is she here?” he demanded, his gaze laser-focused on Mia. She could have sworn he could see her heart hammering in her chest. He didn’t even blink as Mac stammered a response.
“She insisted on coming, and I’m scared of her,” Mac said, forcing a nervous smile. Aurelio’s lips curled momentarily before returning to a thin line.
Mia took in his appearance: a bruise marred his right cheek, and his left eye bore a similar injury. A cut adorned his lip, and two more scars crisscrossed his neck. She mentally marked each one, remnants of a fight he had survived. Neither of them moved, the air thick with tension, the sound of their breathing all that broke the silence. Aurelio sighed, and just then, the crackle of a radio pierced the quiet. Releasing Mac, who scrambled away, behind Mia. He gripped the radio, eyes never leaving Mia’s. He brought it close to his face, Mia noting the stubble, he hadn’t shaved in days.
“Yeah, over,” he said
“Where the fuck did you go? Over,” a gruff voice replied.
“Had to piss; buyers aren’t here yet anyway. Over.”
“Well, the boss wants you back; he’s getting itchy. Over.”
“Headed back in a few; still need to piss. Over.” Aurelio clipped the radio back onto his belt, and before she could process it, Mia threw her arms around him. For a moment, he didn’t respond, his chest tight and body rigid. Then he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, burying his face in her neck as he breathed her in.
“Hello, beautiful,” he whispered into her hair, his voice cracking her carefully constructed shield, and her tears began to fall. He kissed her tears away, his lips brushing her face softly, lingering on her skin.
Mia kept her gaze locked on him, terrified he would disappear. “Aurelio,” she murmured, catching his lips as his name slipped from her mouth. They kissed like it was the last time, his tongue pushing into her mouth, begging for her surrender. She let her hands roam over his hard muscles, the familiar feel of his body igniting a fire within her. Aurelio pulled her hips tighter against him, closing the space between them. He lifted her effortlessly, cradling her as she wrapped her legs around him, their mouths refusing to part.
Mia’s arms wound around his neck, pulling his face as close as possible. She closed her eyes, imagining they were back in the loft, the bed just inches away, moments from shedding their clothes and joining their bodies as they both craved. But then he pulled back, breaking the kiss, and Mia wasn’t ready for it. She yanked him back, crashing her mouth against his once more. Aurelio groaned, the deep sound vibrating through her chest.
“Mia,” he murmured against her lips.
“Shush,” she whispered, still kissing him. “Please.” Aurelio let her pull him to her again, their lips meeting hungrily. One hand slid up her back, fingers grazing the skin beneath her shirt. She felt him groan as he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra.
“Aurelio,” she breathed, desire lacing her voice. He shook his head and set her down abruptly.
“No,” he said, stepping back. The radio crackled again, and Aurelio grunted angrily as he pulled it from his belt.
“What?!” he yelled.
“They’re here,” an older voice replied, calm and collected.
“Get here. Now.” The voice said. Aurelio exhaled deeply, the radio clipped back onto his belt.
“Mia, you need to leave.” He turned to push back through the bushes, Mac still watching them.
“Wait!” she cried, louder than she intended. Aurelio pushed her back, a finger pressed to her lips.
“Please,” he said, desperation lining his voice. “I can’t put you in danger like this.”
“You’re in danger!” she insisted quietly, grasping his arm. “Please, listen.” She pressed her lips to his, her mouth opening to him. He gripped the back of her neck, pressing them together. She broke the kiss, eyes pleading.
“Please, I have to tell you.” She begged.
Aurelio grunted again, torn between her and his responsibilities. “Fine, quickly.”
“The buyers are cops.” She spit it out quickly, Aurelio pulling back. “They’re here to bust this whole operation,” she said, Aurelio’s expression darkening.
“You called the cops?” he asked, pulling away in disbelief. “Mia, I—”
“It was me,” Mac interjected, stepping closer. “I’m working with the cops.”
Aurelio looked from Mia to Mac and back again, his eyes settling on Mia.
“Okay, thank you for telling me. Please leave.” He turned away, Mia pushing forward to grab him.
“No!” she cried again, throwing herself at him. Aurelio stood there for a moment before wrapping her in his arms.
“Please, beautiful.” He whispered into her ear. His voice betrayed him. “I need to finish this.” He pulled back to look at her. Bringing a finger to her face, he wiped her tears gently and kissed her. She felt the love, all the good parts and bad in the kiss. She felt the goodbye on his lips. He pulled away, faces inches from hers as whispered.
“Why?” Her voice was barely audible as the tears streamed down her cheeks.
“To keep you safe.” He kissed her once more, then pushed her back, crashing through the bushes and down the slope toward the building. He glanced back once, just for an instant, but Mia caught the look he gave her—regret and sadness shining in his eyes as he disappeared.