“Do you need me here?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Go see your Mom. I’ll join you when they’ve fixed this mess.”
∞∞∞
“I really think we should get home now, boss,” Dante said as I swayed into someone at the bar.
We’d left the residential home hours ago. Dante’s arm was fixed into position in a cast, no surgery required, and I’d spent my day talking to caregivers and Stefan. Amber had continuously called me, and I didn’t think I could face Mia without making the entire situation worse than it already was.
As the night wore on, I was vaguely aware of just how good it felt to have my fist connect with someone’s jaw, but what felt better was to have one come back at me. The adrenaline and the pain distracted me from all the bad news that had been delivered earlier.
“Luc! Stop!” Dante pulled me away from the guy with his good arm, and the alcohol in my system meant resistance was futile. “This isn’t the way to deal with it.”
He pushed me out into the night before hailing a cab.
“What about my car?” I slurred as he forced me into the back seat. I remembered driving to the residential home. I remembered driving to the bar. I made an attempt to get out of the other side of the cab, but Dante grabbed my arm and gave the driver my address.
“You can pick it up tomorrow,” he told me and leaned back against the leather seat. “Fuck’s sake, Luc. You need to sort yourself out. At this rate, I’m looking forward to Stefan getting back into town.”
“Just like everyone else then,” I spat out at the mention of my baby brother. “Can’t wait for Saint Stefan to make an appearance.”
Dante didn’t say another word.
The cab pulled up outside the house and I stumbled out and up to the door while Dante paid the driver and joined me. He took the keys from my hand and pushed the door open, guiding me into the house.
“I need a drink,” I announced and started towards the kitchen, but Dante pulled me back.
“That’s the last thing you need.”
That’s when I saw her, standing at the other end of the hallway, looking horrified as she watched the two of us in a weird wrestling match.
“Mia!” I called out to her.
She was already in her pajamas, an old t-shirt and some shorts, and in the dim light I could see her eyes wide and doe-like. I had the unmistakable urge to go to her and comfort her. What was it about this girl that made me unable to get her out of my head? Mia was meant to be a quick fuck in order to get it out of my system, but somewhere inside I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. She intrigued me as much as she aggravated me. Mia was a puzzle that I wanted to unravel in every way possible.
“What’s the matter, darling?” I asked, tripping over my words.
“What the hell happened to both of you?” Mia asked, directing the question to Dante.
I gave her a confused look and she gestured to Dante’s arm and my face. Pressing my hand to my face, I felt the sting and saw blood on my palm. “Fuck.”
“It’s been a long day,” Dante said. “Is anyone around?”
“It’s just me,” she told him.
“Mia, please help me sort him out. I wouldn’t ask but I have one arm.”
"Yeah, of course."
Chapter Ten
Mia
Ihad never seen Lucas out of control before. He was a man who seemed to have a tight rein over every aspect of his life. Not now. There was blood drying on his face and the whites of his eyes were bloodshot. I did my best to help Dante guide him up the stairs and steer him towards his bedroom. He fought us every step of the way until we finally pushed him inside.
“Is there a first aid kit around?” I asked.
“Check his bathroom,” Dante told me, and I walked in to look.
