"What's the matter, doll?" Amber asked innocently, saccharine sweet. "Did I interrupt your cosy little dinner?"
Amber knew full well that she had interrupted the evening and I was livid. "Amber, listen to me. Whatever was going on between us, it stops now. I'm not interested in continuing this."
She scoffed, "Oh please, Luc. You know you're going to come back. You always do."
"Not this time."
The realization dawned on Amber. "That's precious!" she laughed. "You like her."
My hands balled into fists at my side at the taunting.
"Dream on, Luc," Amber told me with a smirk. "You think she's going to accept everything you come with? That girl's probably never even had a parking ticket. You think she's going to wait up night after night to see if you come home alive?"
Mia had. No one had been more surprised than me when I came home that night and she came running down the hall. She’d stopped at the sight of me and I had been certain Mia would leave. I was certain that I would need to add her to the body count, and I was uncertain of how I would live with myself if I carried out that job. But she had made me drink a poor excuse for coffee and promised she would be there in the morning. She hadn’t lied.
Amber laughed and I knew that she needed to leave before I did something I would regret. I didn’t need to justify myself to this woman.
"Amber, stay away from me and stay away from Mia," I warned.
"No worries, sweet cheeks," Amber said with a shrug. "You know where to find me when it all goes south."
Chapter Seventeen
Lucas
Mia missed breakfast the next morning, and when I went to check on her, she was still in bed and burning up. By the time I came back with water, toast and medication, Mia was fast asleep again. I didn’t have the heart to leave her, so instead, I sat in a chair by her bed and worked from home. Our little stroll in the rain and the late night must have taken a toll on her.
“Tell Marco I’m not fucking interested,” I said into the phone furiously. “How am I meant to make it any clearer?”
A movement from the bed, Mia pulling the covers tighter around her, caught my attention. She was awake, eyes still sticky with sleep, and I cut the call. Work could wait.
“Hey, princess.” I smiled at her and moved to sit on the edge of her bed, running a hand through her hair.
"Shouldn't you be working?" Mia asked me. Her voice was hoarse and still thick with sleep.
"I am," I assured her. "How are you feeling? Do you want me to call a doctor?"
Mia shook her head and then groaned from the pain, "No, I think it's just a cold."
"Ah good, she's awake," Lydia said as she came into the room. "I'll bring you some soup, love."
"Lyds, I'm really not hungry," Mia said, lifting her head to look at the older woman.
Lydia narrowed her eyes, voice firm and stern as she told her, "You need to eat."
"Yes, ma'am," Mia mumbled and Lydia left the room.
"Smart move not to argue with her,” I laughed. “Come on, let me help you up."
Mia pushed herself with my help until she was upright. She closed her eyes for a moment before I moved to sit down beside her. Sick or not, I refused to keep distance between us. I’d spent long enough keeping her at bay.
Lydia appeared back in the room with a tray in hand that held a bowl of soup and a large glass of water.
"Thank you," Mia said.
Lydia swapped the trays and placed the back of her hand against Mia's forehead, "You don't feel warm anymore."
"I'll look after her. Don't worry," I said.
