Page 100 of Spark

“Thank you, Detective Daniels.” She gave him a forlorn smile.

“Please, call me Charles.” He smiled back. “Call me anytime for anything.”

“Will do, Charles.”

The walk back was silent; both were lost in thought about what happened, and where to go from there.

Mia broke the silence first as the building came into view. “Let me tell Aurelio, please.”

Melvin nodded. “Of course.”

He held the door open for her, and the two slipped inside. As they headed up the stairs, Mia heard shouting and crashing. She sped up, fear gripping her heart. As she reached her door and threw it open, Aurelio, Mikey, and Matty turned to look at her. A piece of pizza hung from Matty’s mouth, and a video game was paused on the TV screen. They all smiled; Aurelio jumped up to wrap her in a hug.

“Beautiful!” he cried, his arms coming around her. She hugged him back as her body was lifted.

“What’s going on in here?” she asked as he released her and led her to the couch. Boxes were spread out on the floor, another TV was set up next to the original, and controllers and machines were blinking at her. “Did some shopping? We were gone for like 3 hours.”

“And we were really bored as soon as you left,” explained Matty, shoving more pizza in his mouth. “Aurelio wanted to show off his sick car.”

Mia rolled her eyes, and Aurelio coughed quietly, his hand covering his face.

“Please don’t be mad,” Mikey said. “We didn’t force him to buy any of it.”

“Aurelio, you bought all this?”

“It’s okay, beautiful.” He wrapped her in another hug. “Anything for my future brothers-in-law.”

“Ugh.” She pushed out of his arms, and Aurelio laughed. “Suck up.”

Melvin slid the door shut behind him as he entered the loft. He eyed the boxes, taking in the TV and remotes, but merely shrugged and grabbed a slice of pizza. “I got next.”

“You guys are unbelievable.” Mia went to the bedroom. Her boyfriend followed, shrugging to the guys as he went.

“Aurelio, she needs to calm down!” Mikey called.

“Can you do anything to help?” Matty questioned.

“Shut it!” Mia yelled over her shoulder, making her brothers snicker.

“Hey,” Aurelio said, sliding his hands across her stomach and holding her to his chest. “What’s wrong, beautiful? What happened at the station?”

“I dropped the case.” Her head fell back to rest on his shoulder.

“Why?” His voice was quiet as he let her fingers caress his arms.

“Well, he had a valid reason for his prints being in the apartment and would most likely walk anyway. And anyone else who has been in here would be put under a microscope.” She turned in his embrace, eyes meeting his. “And why put you through all the trouble that could bring if he would get away with it in the end?”

Aurelio nodded, kissing her forehead, letting his lips sit there for a moment. They both closed their eyes, breathing in each other. “I understand, and I thank you for that. But you don’t need to protect me.” He lifted her chin with one finger. “But I appreciate that you do.” His lips met hers.

The pain she felt was melting away as he kissed her. The worries were disappearing as his lips mended the cracks she had. “Detective Daniels said I should move, or at least not be here alone. Oliver is on a warpath, and he doesn’t want me getting caught in the crossfire.”

“I agree,” Aurelio concurred. “I plan on being with you every day for the rest of my life.”

Mia smiled, giving him a small laugh. “Hope you don’t get sick of me.”

“Never.” They kissed again, and a loud round of ‘awwws’ came from the living room. The two broke apart, laughing.

Aurelio looked at his wrist and the black leather watch on it. “I have to leave soon; it’s almost one. I have to find Mac and smack him around a little before my meeting with the boss.” He stretched, making the edge of his shirt ride up to reveal the trail of dark hair leading into his boxers.

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