Page 121 of Spark

“Thank you for cooperating,” the officer replied, a pad in his hand. He pulled a pencil from behind his ear and looked at Mia. “I know his name, but what’s yours, ma’am?”

“She isn’t involved,” Aurelio said quickly. Mia turned to him, her brows furrowing.

“My name is Mia Thorne , and I am very much involved,” she asserted, turning back to the officer. Aurelio exhaled deeply,a soft growl escaping him. He was mad at her, but she was determined to stand by him.

“Okay, Mia,” the officer said, writing her name down. “Tell me, what’s happening here? We know why Aurelio is here, but why are you? How are you involved?” Aurelio made a noise, but Mia shot him a silencing look, and he shrugged, closing his mouth.

“Aurelio and I have been dating for a while,” she began slowly, “but the man Aurelio was working for was using our relationship to blackmail him.” The officer raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Really?” he asked. “Are you saying that Mr.Valen here is only involved in this mess because he was being blackmailed into it?” His skepticism was palpable, and the other officer stood with his hands on his hips.

“Yes,” Mia affirmed, nodding. “There is sure to be proof of the blackmail. I know it. The guy in charge was threatening to hurt me if Aurelio didn’t work for him.”

“Mmhmm,” the officer said, scribbling notes. “And how long have you two known each other?”

“Forever,” Mia replied, looking at Aurelio, who smiled back at her.

“And dating?” the officer pressed, still writing.

“Well,” Mia said, her brain scrambling. “We’ve only been official for a few months, but Aurelio and I have known each other for years. He always kept his distance despite the spark we felt for each other. And now,” she locked eyes with Aurelio, “I know why.”

“Okay,” the officer said, looking up from his pad as Mia turned to meet his gaze. “So you’re saying that for years, Aureliohas been forced to work for Mr. Hernandez against his will to keep you safe?”

Mia paused, aware that she was about to cross a line she could never uncross. She took a breath and looked directly at the officer as she responded. “Yes, officer,” she nodded. “That’s exactly it.”

A brief silence fell between the two police officers, who exchanged glances as if engaging in a silent conversation. Finally, the other officer turned to Mia. “Yeah, that’s what we heard from another kid.”

Mia released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, and Aurelio did the same. “What?” he said, his mind racing. “What kid?”

“Mackenzie McGuire,” the officer with the notepad replied, flipping back a page. “He called into the station around four AM, convinced by his girlfriend to come in and talk. I guess he had been working with one of the higher-ups before he disappeared right before the big bust last night.” He watched Mia and Aurelio for their reactions. Aurelio remained stoic, his face impassive, but his grip on Mia tightened. She struggled to maintain her composure, shocked but aware that everyone could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

“Well, Detective Daniels asked us to swing by,” the officer continued, closing the notepad and sliding the pencil behind his ear. “He’s occupied at the moment but should be here soon with your deal.”

“Deal?” Aurelio said, furrowing his brows in confusion. “What deal?”

“Your deal—immunity from prosecution in exchange for your cooperation,” the officer who had cuffed Aurelio explained.“He has to get it signed by the D.A., and then he’ll be over here for you to sign it.”

“What…” Aurelio started, but Mia placed a finger on his lips, her eyes pleading with him to let it go.

“What about the cuffs?” she asked, glancing at the officers.

“They have to stay on until then. Protocol,” the officer with the pad said apologetically. “Sorry. He should be here in a few hours, and the doctor said you’re not going anywhere for a few days anyway.” Mia nodded as the officers tipped their hats and slipped out. Aurelio’s gaze drifted, lost in his thoughts.

“Hey,” she said softly, pulling him back to her. “You okay?”

“I don’t know,” Aurelio replied, his heart beginning to race. “A deal?” His eyes locked onto Mia’s. “What is going on?”

“I’m not sure,” Mia said, shrugging as she placed her hand in his. “But we’re facing it together.”

“I love you, beautiful,” Aurelio murmured, leaning closer.

“I love you, my Aurelio,” she said, meeting his lips in a kiss that sealed their future.

Chapter Forty-Six

Mia stayed with Aurelio for the rest of the day, accompanying him as he was moved from the ER to an upstairs room in the hospital. When the doctor entered, he explained the nature of Aurelio’s injuries—the bullet had narrowly missed his hip bone, which could have shattered upon impact. Instead, it had lodged in the muscle, and they were able to retrieve all the fragments. Although Aurelio faced a long road to recovery, the doctor assured him he would be fine in a year, given his muscle mass. Physical therapy, he said, would be a breeze.

As a new nurse entered, Mia had to move a chair closer to the bed. The nurse threatened to make her leave if she continued to sit on the bed.

---