"Mint chocolate chip." Mia beamed.
"So, you like to eat toothpaste. Noted."
We ordered ice cream and I let Mia pay before we walked back onto the street. It was a cold October night, but neither of us seemed to care as we dug the small plastic spoons into the tubs of dessert.
"Sure, I can't tempt you?" I asked as I held out a bite of rum raisin to her, but Mia shook her head violently, long hair fanning out with the motion.
"You keep that devil food away from me," she told me.
Mia and I laughed as she dug into her tub and took a bite, but her laughter died abruptly. When I followed her gaze, I saw Lucas standing at the end of the street looking as if he was ready to murder someone.
"Oh no," I muttered.
Luc came charging towards us and I braced myself for impact, but it never came. Instead of going for me, Luc had stopped in front of Mia and held her face in his hands. The gesture held the most tenderness I’d seen him possess in his life.
"What did I tell you?" he asked her. "Mia, what did I say? You go nowhere without Dom!" Luc turned his attention to me, fire in his eyes. "Are you stupid?!"
I noted that something had spooked him. He didn't want Mia out of his sight or without someone who reported directly to him. Luc didn't want her to be alone, and I had the sinking feeling that he had already involved her in something shady. We would be about to repeat history.
"I don't think I'm the stupid one," I shot back.
"Luc," Mia said.
"You have no idea," Luc hissed at me.
"Luc!" Mia called his name louder this time.
Luc turned his attention back to Mia, her face still in his hands. "I got home, and you weren't there. No one was. I have no note. Nothing. Do you know what went through my head, Mia?" Luc pressed his forehead against hers. "Why didn't you wait for me?" Luc asked her.
Mia pushed away from him slightly. "I did. We didn't leave the house until... when Stef? 8:30?"
I nodded and took a step closer to Mia. Luc drew himself up to full height. He was taller than Mia by a foot but only had a few inches on me.
"You don't leave the house without me, Dante or Dom," Luc told her. "No one else. Understand?"
"Luc, I'm with Stefan," she tried to reason with him.
"Stefan can't keep you safe!" Luc told him firmly.
"Stefan wouldn't have put her in danger in the first place," I mumbled loud enough for Luc to hear.
His head snapped towards me and I sensed the age old fight starting again. Luc stepped away from Mia and invaded my personal space. I couldn't afford to get into a physical fight that might jeopardize my college place and any hospital placements afterwards.
"Mia," Luc said, still looking at me. "Get in the car."
Dante idled in the car not far off and I balled my hands into fists. Given half the chance, I would never have chosen Luc to be my brother.
"Luc, please," Mia said. "Stefan was just doing something nice. He was keeping me company."
We looked at her and Mia took Luc's hand and laced their fingers together. Luc glanced at me again, but Mia tugged at his arm and he turned away and walked with her to the car. I followed behind them, eyes on their clasped hands as I wondered just what exactly was going on between the pair.
Chapter Thirty
Lucas
Sliding into the back of the car beside Mia, I swore I wouldn’t let her out of my sight again. I kept silent on the way home, not trusting myself to speak. I was grateful Dante had read the situation and kept his mouth shut for once.
I refused to let go of Mia's hand for the whole drive and Mia made no attempt to pull it away. She looked upset, staring down at her lap and chewing on her bottom lip. When we got home, Dante left, leaving the three of us alone.
