Page 56 of Mia

He blew a breath of relief, making me chuckle.

“Y’all come have a seat.”

Quaid closed the door as Jaeda came over to hug and kiss us both. Quaid followed suit with dapping me and kissing Mia on the cheek before sitting in the oversized chair.

“It’s nice to see you two like this,” she said, taking a spot on his lap.

“This shit feels weird,” Mia said with a light smile. “All lovey dovey and shit.”

Jaeda giggled. “I mean, it looks weird too. But you two look more at peace with each other. Therapy went okay?”

Mia shrugged. “It went like something. I don’t want to do this, but at this point, I can see that I need it. I’m tired of feeling like this, Jae. I have to accept the fact that my daughter is gone. If I want to avenge her death, I have to get my shit together.” She looked over at me. “If we want this marriage to work, we have to both get our shit together.”

Jaeda swiped a tear from her eyes. “We’re here for you both. I wish I could be there when the time comes, but my husband will be at your side.”

Mia looked over at Quaid. “You don’t know what you’re doing⁠—”

“I’m more than capable, Mia. I might not have had the extensive training you two had, but I can handle myself. Your husband and mother-in-law taught me everything I know. Like I told Titan, Eden was and is my niece, and he’s my brother. You’re my sister now and I ride with this family. I got y’all like I know y’all have me.”

Mia swiped at a tear. “You would really go?”

“You’re gonna see me, my laptop, and these glasses on that jet, sis. Shit, I might even put in my contacts for this one. I don’t have time to be fighting and shooting blind.”

We all shared a small laugh. Mia sat all the way up and took a deep breath.

“I need to get in the gym. Build my strength back up. Maybe working out will relieve some of this stress.”

“KD would train you,” Jaeda said. “I’d spar with you, but I don’t think my husband would go for that.”

“You muthafucking right,” Quaid said, rubbing her stomach.

“How about Kaylynn?” Jaeda suggested. “I mean, if you can pull her off Dinah, I’m sure she’d be happy to help.”

Mia nodded. “I’ll ask her. Other than you, she’s the one person I know won’t take it easy on me. I need a bitch to fight me at their full potential.”

“Work out first,” I said. “You still have to finish healing, and you don’t need to overdo it.”

She sighed. “I know.” She slid onto the couch and ran her hands over her face. “I miss her,” she whispered. “I feel like part of me is missing. I got so used to carrying her. . . knowing she was there. My body doesn’t feel like mine right now. I just. . . I need her with me in some way if I’m gonna get through this.”

I reached out and grabbed her hand.

“How about a tattoo?” I suggested. “The hospital gave us copies of her footprints. I been thinking about getting them on me.”

She looked back at me. “Can we go today?” she asked.

“Let me check.”

I pulled out my phone and sent my boy, Benjamin, a text to see if he had space for us. Rose Haven was about an hour away, but Benny was the only person I’d let tattoo me for years now. He hit me back and let me know he had availability to fit us in.

“We’re good,” I said.

Quaid tapped Jaeda’s thigh for her to stand. When she did, he followed suit.

“Don’t let us hold y’all up,” he said. “I hope this helps both of you. If it’s not too late, come by the house for dinner when you get back.”

I nodded. “Appreciate it, bruh.”

I stood and slapped hands with him once again, then kissed Jaeda’s cheek and rubbed her stomach. She smiled as she returned the kiss to the cheek before going to her sister and pulling her to her feet.