Page 83 of Spark

“Sure.” She let the word draw out, sarcasm dripping from it. She gave a soft laugh. “They will be staying with me, so I don’t need Mac to hover around.”

“Well, Mac’s not just there to protect you,” Aurelio admitted. “I want him out of trouble while I finish this shit.”

Mia nodded. Of course. Aurelio wanted Mac out, too, and since he couldn’t pay to get him out anymore, he was keeping the teen away from it all so he could just shuffle out with Aurelio.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know where he went.” She said, shoulders sagging slightly.

“It’s fine; it’s not your problem, really.” Aurelio said. A sigh passed through; disappointment lingered at the thought ofthe teen disobeying. All Aurelio wanted, Mia thought, was to keep him safe.

“Well…” Her mind was torn with how much to share. “Oliver knows your name,” she said quickly; he needed to know that at least.

“Fuck.” Aurelio said. “If he tells Daniels, they have my whole name.”

“I don’t think he will,” Mia murmured quietly. “Oliver is off the rails.”

“What do you mean?” Aurelio asked, his voice going deeper than she had heard in a long time. “What happened?”

Mia had to tell him; the command in his voice was clear. She wouldn’t get away with half-truths or omissions. She explained what happened right after Mac fled her loft. Aurelio grunted and snarled as she spoke; she could mentally see his face contort in anger.

“I’m going to kill him.” Aurelio said as she finished explaining the confrontation. She wasn’t sure if he meant Oliver or Mac. “If he puts so much as one foot in your direction, he is a dead man.”

“Aurelio, please don’t do anything rash.” Mia pleaded. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you. You must focus on getting out.” She felt him groan as much as she heard it.

“Oh, I’m getting out,” he said. “And then I’m taking you as far away from that asshole as possible.”

“I would very much like that,” Mia sighed into the phone. “But, until then, my brothers will be here till after graduation.”

“Good; tell them about him.” Aurelio said. “Make sure they know what a lowlife he is.” Aurelio had the right idea; it was something Mia had already intended to do. She knew her brothers would not take kindly to idle threats.

“I will.” She paused, biting her lip. “I also have to tell them about you,” She added, and Aurelio exhaled deeply.

“Ughhh. I know you do. Are they gonna kill me?” he asked.

Mia laughed at the concern in his voice.

“No, I love you. They would never do anything to hurt me and you dying would kill me.”

“Oh, beautiful,” Aurelio whispered. “It would kill me, too.”

“I wish you were here, picking them up and meeting them.” She picked at her shirt, his shirt.

“I would love nothing more, but…” He didn’t need to say it. Mia already knew.

“I know. I’m sorry. I know it only makes it harder when I say things like that.” She pinched the shirt between her fingers, the scent on it there but fading.

“It does, but still, it’s nice to know how much you want me to be a part of your life.” He spoke quietly.

“Stupid,” she said, giving a small laugh “you are my life now.” The truth was so hard to realize, but Aurelio was her everything. Life without him would be grey and colorless, pointless, and full of pain.

“Beautiful, I don’t know how I ever lived before you.” His words hit her right in the heart, the spark lighting her up inside.

“I love you,” she said simply; the words were not deep enough to express how she felt, but they were the only ones that came even a little close.

“I love you, too.” He said, the words small but holding so much. He cleared his throat, breaking the building tension.

“By the way,” he said, his mood shifting to something lighter. “I bought a nice suit for your ceremony.”

“Wow, okay. I don’t even have a dress yet.” Mia hadn’t even thought about shopping for one, and graduation was almost a week away. “Shit. what color is the suit?”

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