Page 37

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MIA

My knees quivered even though I was seated. No, my entire body shook like a flimsy tree limb against a strong wind. I might die tonight… I glanced around the seedy motel room in the worst part of town. The threadbare rug had ominous stains on it, and so did the sheets on the bed.

I might die in a filthy motel with questionable sheets…

“Oh God,” I groaned. For the hundredth time since I arrived here, I almost hurled up my guts. Taking a deep breath, I told myself this was the best thing to do. I’d be damned if I let my ex threaten me. I went over his head and contacted the man who had been tormenting me because he couldn’t find Logan. I glanced at the bag sitting on the torn arm chair. I was going to attempt to buy my freedom out of this mess. If I didn’t escape unscathed, so be it. I was tired of living in constant fear.

My terror of facing a dangerous man was nowhere near the intensity of the despair I felt about never seeing Poppy and Michael again. Misery twisted my gut into knots at the thought of never feeling Poppy’s tiny arms wrap around my waist as she giggled in delight. She was just the sweetest and funniest little girl, and her father… I sighed heavily. I should have told him I loved him the other night. I knew I only had one more night in his arms, and I didn’t tell him. Regret gnawed at me.

I only realized I was crying when I felt the warm wetness slide down my cheek and my vision blurred. He was probably furious with me. I’d disappeared three days ago and left a stupid note with two short sentences. I just didn’t have the courage to look him in the eye and tell him I was leaving. He must hate me.

My chest heaved with the force of my sobs, and my heart felt as if it was shattering into pieces. I didn’t want him to hate me. He was my Mr. Right, the one person who made me feel safe and whole, and I had to give him up. I’d curse myself for stupidly falling into Logan’s trap for as long as I lived… which probably wasn’t for much longer. That thought made me sob harder.

I almost choked on the next one when someone banged on the door. I just about jumped out of my skin. Staring at it, my heart started to race, and sweat beaded on my forehead. My tormentor was here. I’d give him all I had and tell him that was it—either he left me alone or I went to the cops. It was the going to the cops part that would get me killed, I was sure of it.

Gulping, I stood up, wiped away my tears, and squared my shoulders. The pounding on the door was relentless. Each bang jolted my already frayed nerves. Wiping my sweaty palms on my thighs, I inched toward the door on quivering legs. Before I could talk myself out of it, I yanked it open.

Instead of the man with the tattoos, dead eyes, and cold smirk, I found myself staring into the most gorgeous green eyes ever. They were clouded with worry.

“Michael…” His name came out as a whisper of disbelief and utter confusion. His gaze swept over me fast. He then surveyed the room. I opened my mouth to say something else, but I didn’t know what. Before I could get another word out, his lips were on mine. Although my mind was a jumbled mess, I melted into him.

The kiss wasn’t gentle or slow. It was frantic and desperate, and it stole my breath. There was an edge of anger in the way Michael’s lips commanded mine, yet for the first time in days, I felt safe. When he pulled away, we were breathless. He cupped my face, and his thumbs moved over my tear-stained cheeks. My eyes fluttered closed, and I basked in the slight caress because a minute ago, I was convinced I’d never feel his touch again.

Our passionate moment evaporated in an instant. The concern in Michael’s vanished, and the orbs darkened with fury. “I have a mind to put you over my fucking knee, woman,” he growled—really growled… like a pissed off animal.

His words left me stunned. My mouth dropped open as the strangest mixture of emotions went through me. I felt relief, outrage, and… arousal as the image of me over his knee flitted through my mind. I had to remind myself that I was in danger and so was Michael. He shouldn’t be here.

I took a step back as if our proximity was hazardous to him… It actually was. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

“What?”

“You need to leave right now.”

His eyes widened in momentary shock before narrowing to slits of annoyance. “ Leave? Mia, I have spent three days of hell searching this city for you. I haven’t slept. I’ve barely eaten. I thought you were…” He inhaled deeply as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I thought the worst. I’m not leaving you here.” He stepped aside and gestured to his usual chauffeured SUV. “Get in the car.”

“I can’t. You don’t understand… You need to stay away from me.”

“Mia, my patience has been worn thin. Get your ass in the car now before I throw you over my shoulder and carry you.”

I scoffed. As hot as I found his domineering ways sometimes, this was not the time for it. “Michael, I’m trying to protect you. I’m meeting?—”

“The extortioner with the god-awful tattoos?”

My gasp was dramatic enough for a soap opera.

“I’m afraid he won’t make it.”

“But… How…”

Michael’s smile was as cold as the bookie’s... No, it was colder. “He and I had a little chat. Besides, where he is now… It’s impossible for him to make your little meeting.”

I gawked at him and really processed the dangerous glint in his eyes. At that moment, I realized just how silly I was. Why did I ever think Michael needed my protection?

“Now, get your things, Mia,” he said in a much gentler tone. “I’m taking you home.”

Home . My chin quivered, and more tears burned my eyes. This time, they were happy tears. Michael knew what I’d gotten into, and he still wanted to take me home.

I hesitantly approached Michael on the terrace. I had been with Poppy for about an hour because she refused to let me go, and I didn’t want to let her go either. She was happy I’d taken care of the “monsters” and came back. I held her until she fell asleep, partly because I felt guilty for leaving.

However, I hadn’t really taken care of the monsters. Michael had, and I didn’t understand how. He glanced back when he heard me but turned back around to continue gazing at the glittering sea of lights. His shoulders were rigid, and he radiated agitation. He was furious with me, and I didn’t blame him. I was angry with myself.

I stood there for a moment, staring at his back, not sure what to say.

“Is Poppy finally asleep?” he asked without looking at me. “She insisted on staying up in case I found you tonight.”

Another wave of guilt washed over me. He sounded stressed and exhausted. He said he hadn’t slept. “Michael, I’m sorry…”

He heaved a sigh and finally turned to look at me. “You already said sorry in your note.”

The bite in his tone made me duck my head in shame. Maybe I didn’t handle what was supposed to be my resignation the best way. “Am I… um… fired? I mean, I said I quit, but I’m here…”

“Really, Mia?” He glared. “You’re worried about your job? What about me ?”

My throat tightened at the raw edge in his voice. He looked at me as if I betrayed him. “I’m not—It’s not just the job. I didn’t want to leave you… I… I was scared, and I didn’t know what else to do.”

Finally, the months of stress, fear, and anxiety came crashing down, and I broke. My sobs seemed to be wrenched from my soul because my entire body shook with the force of them. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted to keep you and Poppy safe.”

Michael sighed as he covered the distance between us. His arms engulfed me, which made me weep harder.

“I know,” he whispered. “It’s okay now. You’re okay.”

Why was he being so nice to me? I didn’t deserve it. Pulling away from, I wailed, “How can it be okay? I put you and your daughter in danger. I don’t deserve you or her.”

“Mia…”

“Why would you want me back in your life after what I did?”

“What exactly did you do?” he asked.

I pulled myself out of hysteria. “Well, I got roped into the entire mess because my ex-boyfriend…” I supposed the whole ordeal wasn’t my doing per se.

Michael rested his hands on my shoulders. “I didn’t get the entire story from that guy who was harassing you for money, but I figured you didn’t intentionally get involved with criminals.”

My eyes lowered to the floor. “I didn’t, but I still feel so foolish.”

“Tell me what happened, Mia.” He took my hand and led me to one of the chaise lounges that decorated the terrace. To my surprise, he sat so close to me that our legs touched. “Tell me everything.”

Reluctantly, I started, and when I was finished, I couldn’t look at him. I feared I’d see the reprimand and disgust in his eyes. How could I be so naive? Suddenly, that old insecurity about our age difference kicked in. He must have thought I was a silly twenty-two-year-old.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Mia? I knew something wasn’t right, and I gave you the chance to.”

“I was ashamed,” I said, still avoiding his gaze. “I thought I could handle it. All I had to do was pay what Logan owed, and I’d be left alone, but then Logan showed up again, and that man wanted more, and then things spiraled out of control. I didn’t want anyone to know… I didn’t want to prove everyone right about me being such a screw-up. I thought I’d die if my parents found out or you…” I finally garnered the courage to look at him. “I was terrified of being kicked out of your and Poppy’s lives if you found out.”

I watched him closely, gauging his expression. He still didn’t look disgusted or furious.

“Mia, you’re not a screw-up. I’m touched that you tried to protect Poppy and me, but I can’t deny that taking on a criminal alone was foolish. What exactly were you planning to do tonight?”

I shrugged. “I was hoping to give the bookie all the money I had and tell him that was it. He could either accept it or do me in… or whatever those people do to the poor souls they target.”

“Jesus,” he breathed and rubbed his forehead.

“It wasn’t the smartest plan, but I wasn’t going to let Logan use me any longer.”

“What did you plan to do about Logan?”

“I’d already let him know I wasn’t playing his game and that I wouldn’t get money out of you like he wanted. He was pissed, and then he threatened me, but I didn’t care. I think he’s the one who trashed my apartment. When I got there and saw the place, I wasn't sure who…” I swallowed hard. “I was terrified, so I ran.”

“And you made it hard for me to find you,” he said. “I wish you had come to me sooner, Mia. All of this could have been avoided.”

I lifted my chin. “It wasn’t your fight, Michael. I had to try and fix my mess. I don’t regret trying to protect you.”

He grunted. “No one has ever risked their neck to protect me before.”

I glanced at him. Was that admiration I saw in his eyes or was I imagining it? “I’ll understand if you don’t want anything to do with me after this. You were right about me all along. I really am chaos and trouble. You don’t need me in your life.”

“Yes, you are those things, Mia Clarke,” he said.

My heart plummeted. I’d expected him to kick me to the curb, but it still hurt.

“From the moment you entered my life, you’ve kept me on my toes. During the last few days, I went on quite the adventure. I bribed your landlord, played detective to find you, and dug up information on people in ways I’m sure is illegal. A few other petty crimes might have been committed, but guess what?”

“What?” I asked as I braced myself for the breakup and official firing.

“I don’t care because I got you back. You’re mine, and you’re safe, and I love you, Mia… you…” He let out a laugh. “Sweet trouble.”

For a moment, I thought I heard wrong, but he repeated it. “I’m in love with you, Mia. I should have told you that a long time ago. If I had, maybe you would have trusted me to help you.”

“I do trust you, Michael. I… I love you too.” The words tumbled out. I couldn’t believe I got to say them so soon because I was convinced he’d need more time to get to that stage. Actually, after the mess I’d gotten into, I thought this moment would never happen.

His expression softened, and he lifted a hand to trace the curve of my jaw. “Good. Now that we’ve got that settled, tell me you’ll never run off on some fool’s mission to save me again, and then kiss me.”

I rolled my eyes, but I was already leaning into him. “You’re so bossy,” I whispered before I pressed my lips to him. I loved it. I loved every version of him, and I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to still have him after the crazy debacle. For the moment, everything else disappeared, and it was just us—no crazy exes, no bookies, no worries. Just Michael and me, wrapped up in each other.