I watched understanding dawn in her eyes, followed quickly by something softer.She knew what I was asking.In the two weeks she’d been here, the women had explained what it meant.I didn’t think anything they’d explained to Mia had bothered her, but I also knew Mia didn’t judge.
“Are you sure?”she asked.I thought she looked almost hopeful, but that might have been wishful thinking.
“Surer than I’ve ever been of anything.”
She smiled then, not the hesitant smile I’d expected but one of complete certainty.“Yes.”She leaned forward, pressing her lips to mine in a seal to her promise.“Yes, I’ll stay.”
I pulled her against me, burying my face in her hair as relief and joy washed through me in equal measure.I’d lost a brother, but he’d given his life to give me Mia.In the aftermath of all nature had destroyed, the fire had forged something new.Something strong and true.Something I’d never take for granted.
And would protect with my Goddamned life.
Chapter Thirteen
Mia
I smoothed the colorful alphabet poster against the classroom wall, pressing the corners until they stuck flat against the painted cinder block.Two weeks into helping at New Beginnings, or Haven as everyone called it, and already the shelter felt more like home than my administrative office ever had.I loved helping teachers learn new techniques, but I missed the few years I’d spent in the classroom and now questioned my long-term goals.I didn’t want to teach adults how to teach kids.I wanted to teach the kids.Ada handed me another strip of tape without my having to ask, our rhythm already established from hours of working side by side.
“I think we’re finally ready,” I said, surveying the transformed space.What had once been a storage room in the shelter’s east wing now burst with educational potential -- low bookshelves stocked with reading materials for various ages, child-sized tables and chairs arranged in cozy clusters, and walls adorned with educational posters that managed to be both informative and cheerful.We were still working on the room for older kids and teenagers, but this was the best classroom I could ever have dreamed of.
Ada stepped beside me, her expression thoughtful as she scanned our work.“The kids are going to love this.”She tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.“Especially Tanya’s little ones.They’ve been asking when school starts every morning for a week.”
“I still can’t believe we pulled this together so quickly,” I admitted, organizing a stack of workbooks by grade level.“At my old job, it would have taken six committee meetings just to approve the concept.”
“It’s one of the perks of this place.The powers that be make sure we have what we need.”Ada replied with a smile.“These children can’t wait for the system to decide they deserve an education and feel safe enough to learn.”
I nodded, feeling that familiar surge of purpose that had been growing stronger since Oktober and I had settled into life at the compound.I’d expected to feel like an outsider among the Kiss of Death family, but instead found myself welcomed into their fierce, loyal circle with surprising ease.
My phone buzzed against my back pocket.Oktober had gone to the main clubhouse thirty minutes ago to see Knuckles and didn’t expect to be done for a couple of hours.
“Hey, Mia.”The guy on the other end sounded put out but resigned.“It’s Griffin.Sorry to bother you.There’s this guy at the gate.Says he’s your fiancé.”
“What?”My stomach churned.I’d known I’d have to deal with the cheating bastard sooner or later, but when I’d gotten my shit from his apartment without incident, I’d hoped he’d maybe settled down with Jade and lived happily ever after.
“If you don’t want to be bothered by the asshole, I’ll take care of him.Shoulda called Oktober first anyway, but I didn’t know if the guy was legit or not.”
“He’s not.”I took a breath trembling with anger.“I’ll meet him at the gate.Don’t let him in.”
My stomach clenched as if I’d been punched.The world seemed to close in on me, and I thought I might throw up.I hadn’t heard from Eric since that final text message three weeks ago -- a terse “We need to talk about your things” that I’d never bothered to answer.I hadn’t left much there and I didn’t want to leave anything in his place.But I couldn’t make myself go back.Not even with Oktober or the women.I didn’t love Eric.Never really had.But the humiliation of what had happened right under my nose was a little more than I wanted to deal with.
“Mia?What is it?”Ada’s voice came from what felt like a great distance.
I blinked, trying to bring the room back into focus.“It’s… it’s Eric.My ex.He’s at the gate.”
Ada’s expression hardened instantly, her protectiveness evident in the set of her shoulders.“What does he want?”
“I don’t know.”The compound was my sanctuary, the place where I’d rebuilt myself from the ashes of my old life.The thought of Eric contaminating it with his presence made my skin crawl.
“You don’t have to see him,” Ada said, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder.Her touch anchored me, bringing me back to myself.
I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders.“No.I don’t know what he wants, but I’ll talk to him.After today, I’ll let the guys deal with him.”
Ada nodded, understanding without needing further explanation.“Do you want Oktober there?”
“No.”The answer came quickly.“This is something I need to handle myself.But…” I hesitated.“Would you and Violet come with me?Not because I’m afraid, just…”
“For moral support,” Ada finished, already reaching for her phone to text Violet.“Of course.We’ve got your back, Mia.”
I smiled back at her.“I think we’ve got each other’s.”
