“I mean it.”
“Cerberus!” The dog came running down the stairs, followed closely by Mia at a slightly slower pace. Not how I wanted her reintroduction, but I was starting to see that my plans didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
Gabe’s jaw dropped open when he saw her. “Mia?”
Mia’s eyes grew as she took him in. “Oh, shit,” she squeaked.
“Go let Cerb out,” I told her. Mia shuffled out of the room with the dog and Gabe turned his attention on me.
“She’s pregnant.”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?” I said, tapping the side of my nose.
“Where did you find her?”
“Not important. What’s important is that she’s back.”
“Does Luc know? Does Dad?” There was something about Gabriel’s expression that was difficult to read. The surprise had been replaced with an expression that was more controlled and neutral. Most of us had either been distraught about Mia’s disappearance or livid with her actions. Not Gabriel. Gabe had maintained a level of calm reminiscent of his father. When anyone asked him about it, he merely responded saying that Mia had made her choice.
“We only got back last night.”
Gabe opened his mouth and then closed it again, his focus just past me, and I twisted my body to see Mia had joined us again.
“Hi, Gabe,” she said quietly, walking up and stopping beside me. It was good to see that, despite my underhand tactics to bring her home, she trusted me enough to stick close by.
“Mia.” Gabe’s eyes ran down her. “Flying visit or back for good?”
“For good, hopefully,” I answered for her.
With a hum, Gabe slowly moved his eyes away from Mia. “This is going to be a very costly mistake if you mess up.”
“Good thing I don’t plan to. And it’ll help if you don’t breathe a word of this to anyone and let us handle it.”
He took a moment, debating what I’d told him. “Dad will want to know. He put a lot of effort into trying to find you.”
I caught the way she pursed her lips and I subtly tugged a strand of her hair behind her back, hoping she would take the hint. The less said to Gabe, the better. If Mia started to shoot her mouth off about Xavier, then things would unravel thick and fast and I couldn’t guarantee her safety.
“Please, Gabe,” Mia said, changing tact. Her face had relaxed again as she bit back on whatever her initial thoughts had been.
“If you need anything you know where to find me,” Gabe said eventually, not giving an answer as to whether he would keep our secret. “I suggest you go and see Vittoria and tell her what kept you busy yesterday, because she’s not happy.”
“Sure thing,” I told him, already dreading the conversation with my girlfriend.
“Congratulations, Mia,” Gabe said half-heartedly, “and good luck.” I wasn’t worthy of a farewell as Gabe left the house, and as he shut the door, I gave him the middle finger.
“That’s not good, right?” Mia said, moving past me so she could sit on the couch.
Sighing, I said, “Not great, but hopefully he’ll keep his mouth shut.” There was no guarantee that he would, but I hoped Gabe’s friendship with Mia would hold out long enough that we could approach Luc ourselves, rather than after the whispers trickled down the grapevine.
“I need to go and speak to Tori.” I picked up the mug and drained the coffee, pulling a face at just how bitter it was without sugar and creamer. “I’m going to call Dom and ask him to come around. Is that okay?” The panic flooded her features. “Don’t worry, Mia,” I assured her. “He’ll be glad to see you’re home.”
“Okay.” Although I wasn’t sure she was convinced. As I turned away Mia called after me, “D.”
“Yes, boss?”
“You and Tori?” She raised a brow. My face heated and Mia’s lips quirked into a smile. She was one of the first people I’d wanted to tell when Tori and I got back together. She was the only one who would have shared in my joy.
“Make sure you treat her well,” Mia reminded me.
