“Probably,” he admitted.“But I’m going to do it anyway.”
His hand slid along her jaw, tilting her face up.Her breath caught.For a moment they just stood there, the air between them charged with everything they’d been and everything they’d lost.
Then the buzzer rang, sharp and insistent.
Zeke dropped his hand, stepping back.The spell broke.Mia blinked, seeming to come back to herself, and moved away from the counter, putting distance between them.
“It’s probably for the best,” she said, her voice not quite steady as she pulled her hair over her shoulder.“Eventually we’d stop kissing and have to talk.And I know that’s never been one of your favorite things.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Mia.I’ve got a whole lot to talk about.Three years is long enough for you to run.”
She looked at him with a blank expression and Zeke felt something go cold in his chest.
“Like you said earlier,” she said.“I never ran very far.Which is why I asked what you’re doing here.Because if you’d really wanted me you’d have found me a long time ago.”
He wanted to argue with her.To say all the things he’d said over and over again in his mind since the last time they’d seen each other.But it wasn’t the time.
“I’ve always wanted you,” he said, gruffly.“But I’ve got my pride too.Maybe too much of it.You said you couldn’t stay and watch me die.Well guess what, sweetheart, I’m still alive.Look at all the time you wasted.”
He turned to walk to the exit but she stopped him.
“Don’t forget your music box,” she said.“I’m assuming you’ll eventually tell me why you’re really here and why Barnes wanted the authentic piece so badly.”
“Maybe he was just laying it on thick.”
“Nope, that part he was genuine about.Never let that kid play poker.He’s got so many tells I could’ve filled up a book.It’s a good fake, by the way.”
Zeke sighed knowingly and took the box.“One of our agent’s wives works at the museum.She has a contact that can recreate certain pieces.”
“Handy.Now if I only knew why you need the piece so much and why you think it’s going to show up at my shop.”
The corner of his lip curled up in a smile and he changed the subject.“I should probably mention I’ll be in town for as long as it takes to work this case.”
“Bully for you,” she said.“But it’s good to know you’ve proved my point.”
“What point is that?”
Her gaze went back to his and he saw so many things there—hurt, confusion, anger.“You didn’t come here for me.You’ve always been incredible at undercover work.I’m a job just like any other.It’s all you know.All you’ve ever known.Don’t forget that I’m the one person who can see past the man you pretend to be.”
“Not this time.I’m not the man I used to be.”
“You look the same to me.Same deceptions.Same games.Same techniques when it comes to getting past my defenses.If you’re that desperate for companionship just say so.No need for the lies.”
“I’m not finished with you, Mia.Not by a long shot.”
ChapterThree
Mia waiteduntil dark to close the shop and head home.And she wasn’t afraid to admit it was out of sheer cowardice, just to stay out of Zeke’s path a little longer.She needed the time to think.To try and remember all the things they’d fought about.To bring back that feeling of why she’d left to begin with.But all she could remember was how much she’d missed him.And how much she’d loved him.
She’d had nonstop customers from the moment Zeke had left, and she hadn’t gotten the opportunity to take a closer look at the music box.There had to be some reason both bikers and cops would be looking for it.And no one was telling the truth.So she’d wrapped it with packing material and put it in her backpack.She had less chance of being interrupted at home.
The moon was only a sliver in the sky and heavy clouds blocked the minimal light it gave.The wind cut through her thin jacket the moment she stepped out the back door and locked up, and she realized fall was coming to a close and winter was right behind it.It was pitch black and there were no sounds or car lights from the road.There were hardly any travelers along her stretch of road after dark anyway.It had never bothered her before.But tonight her senses were tingling.
She carried her weapon down at her side and her backpack slung over her shoulder as she unlocked her 4x4 and got inside.Thoughts of the biker coming back with his brothers had never left her mind, and she sure wasn’t going to face them unarmed.
The drive into Laurel Valley was quick and easy.The town was locked up tight for the most part.Main Street was in the shape of anX, and no cars were allowed along the cobbled streets.She found herself driving the side streets through town, not quite ready to go home for the day.
All the shops downtown were dark except for the gaslights that flickered along the walkways.There were lights coming from some of the apartments above the shops, including hers, but it looked like most of the action was happening down at The Alpine Room.It was a large lodge-like structure that had lake and mountain views and a rooftop bar—not exactly dive bar material.And it was located on the block behind The Reading Nook.
