"That was…" Mia begins but trails off, the only thing I can say is, "Yeah."
After a moment she starts to push up to move, but I tighten my hold, saying, "Don’t go."
We lay like that, me continuing to brush my hand down her back, and placing a kisson the top of her head. Feeling peace for the first time in a long time, maybe ever. And that's the last thing I think, before drifting off to sleep.
twenty-five
Mia
The butterflies in my stomach fly around as I stare at myself in the mirror. Kieran had a stylist and hairdresser come over to help me get ready for tonight's gala. Since the moment I met him at the auction, I would never have thought that he was the romantic type, but he shows me how wrong I was every day. The two ladies he had hired did a great job, too, but I can't really focus on it.
The only thing I seem to be able to focus on is the fact that I'm about to come face to face with Ella and Mikhail. Fear slides down my back when I think about Mikhail, considering the last time I saw him he was threatening me.
"You look beautiful." A deep voice comes from behind me, making me jump. WhenI look into the mirror and come face to face with Kieran, my heart skips a beat with how gorgeous he looks in a classic tuxedo.
"Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself," I whisper, dropping my gaze down to my feet.
"Mia." He says my name like a command, making me look up. "Don't worry about tonight. I've got you."
Kieran places his hand out waiting for me to take it. I glance back at the mirror and this time I'm able to take in my strapless burgundy form fitting dress. It really is beautiful. One last deep breath and I turn back toward Kieran, placing my hand in his.
He smiles at me before muttering, "Good girl."
His praise washes over me making me shudder. Kieran leads us through the house toward the car. I turn toward him when I see a limo sitting in the driveway. He must see my questioning look because heanswers before I can even ask. "I thought it would be nice to make this more like a date."
"I like that," I mutter as we climb into the limo.
Taking it all in, I let out a breath, feeling slightly overwhelmed. Growing up, I'd been exposed to this type of extravagance, but always on the outskirts.
“When I was little, at my mother’s wedding to her second husband, I think he wanted to impress Anastasia and I, so he rented a limo for all of us to leave in. It was one of my favorite memories, I felt like a princess,” I say, turning away from the window and looking over at Kieran.
My husband.
“This reminds me of that,” I add as a melancholy feeling washes over me.
Kieran grips my hand. “That’s a beautiful memory,mo bhanphrionsa.”
“That marriage only lasted six years, before he died—a mysterious death. Three years later she marriedElla’s dad.”
Tears fill my eyes, I try to blink them away but can’t seem to. Kieran grips my face with his other hand, looking deep into my eyes when a few tears slide down my cheeks. He doesn’t say anything, just leans over, kissing each one. When he pulls back he whispers, “Don’t cry, Mia. I promise to erase all of those sad memories and fill you with so many good ones.”
When the limo comes to a stop, the sadness turns to anxiousness. I begin clenching and unclenching Kieran’s hand.
A fury of thoughts invade my mind all at once.Oh fuck, I’m about to see Mikhail and Ella. What if she doesn’t want to see me? What if he tries to kill me? Or worse, kidnap me?
Kieran's grip tightens around mine as if he can read my spiraling thoughts, he demands, "Stop. Everything will be fine. I’ll protect you.”
"I’m just nervous. The last time I saw Ella…" I trail off not wanting to think about that night.
He leans in, giving me a soft kiss on my lips. "Trust me, nothing will happen."
"I trust you," I whisper against his lips.
When the limo comes to a complete stop, my heart rate starts to kick up. He gives me one more kiss before saying, "It's going to be fun."
Kieran pulls back from me as the driver opens the car door. I watch as Kieran climbs out of the car, already commanding the air around us. I swear he was a member of the royal family in another life. Kieran holds his hand out for me, he does this gesture no matter what we're doing, as if he's taken it upon himself to lead me through life. How gentlemanly he is, it’s not something I ever expected, but I can't say I don't love it.
I place my hand in his, using it to help me climb out of the car. Kieran never lets go of my hand, even as I smooth down my dress, listening to the people around us, while he tells the driver he'll text him once we're done for the night.
