Page 113 of Spark

“Scream,” she heard him say, her orgasm crashing over her suddenly.

She gripped his hands, his fingers moving still inside her, the waves crashing over her. She pleaded for him to stop, the pleasure mixing with pain as he pushed further into her. She let out a gasp, his arms locked around her, she couldn’t pull away from him.

“Scream,” Aurelio urged again, his voice shifting. He let out a laugh, fear rising in Mia’s throat as she turned her face to look at him. A terrified scream escaped her lips as she registered Olivers face behind her. Olivers hands moved to her shoulders, shoving her under the water. She fought against him, thrashing and scratching his arms. He held her there, his laughter bombarding her as the water surged into her mouth, filling her lungs. Water clung to her insides, forcing all the air from her lungs as she screamed under the water. Desperately, she punched upward, breaking the surface for a moment. She felt the hands stiff on her body, pressing her further under as fear claimed her. Panic rose in her chest as she felt the pressure of the hands disappear. Coughing violently, she broke the water’s surface, fingers under her arms as she sprayed water across the floor. She felt the cold shock of the room as a pair of hands slapped her back, her chest heaved over the side of thetub. Water and spit splashed over the side; the laughter gone replaced by her own coughing. She heard a scared voice telling her to breathe, the hands still holding her out of the tub gently.

As she gasped for breath, her gaze locked onto the person to whom the hands were tethered. Staring back at her, fear and concern etched on his face, was Mac.

Chapter Forty-One

Mia had to physically push Mac out of the bathroom, his fear for her still setting his nerves on edge. She assured him she was fine, quickly grabbing a towel to cover herself. After drying off, she threw on one of Aurelio’s shirts—now clean and no longer smelling like him—paired with a pair of leggings before stepping out of the bathroom.

Mac was there, pacing. As Mia approached quietly, he turned to pace back toward the bathroom. He stopped, and she took him in. He was paler than ever, thinner too, his eyes red-rimmed. He looked ragged, as if he had been dragged through hell and somehow survived.

“Mia.” Mac breathed out, his eyes scanning her, taking stock of her as she had him.

“Mac,” Mia said, placing a hand on his arm. The teen melted under her touch, wrapping her quickly in a hug. She felt him breath out heavily, her own deep sigh escaping as she let the two of them sit there for a moment.

She pulled back, brushing a finger over his face, moving his shaggy hair out of his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” She asked quietly. Mac sighed, his face shifting to sorrow as he shook his head.

“How did you get in?” she asked instead, hoping that a simple question would help him open up.

“I heard thrashing,” he said, looking to the door. “Your neighbor was in the hall, mentioned you’ve been really depressed and handed me a key. I just came in. I’m sorry,” he added quickly. Looking to Mia. She met his eyes and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t be. I’m pretty sure you saved my life,” Mia chuckled, her lungs still burning from the water she had inhaled. “Aurelio said I shouldn’t take a bath without a lifeguard.”

At the mention of Aurelio’s name, Mac’s face fell again. Mia gently led him to the couch, prompting him to sit. He did so, letting his body fall into the cushions for a moment before sitting upright, his elbows on his knees, hands rubbing in front of his face.

“Mia,” Mac said, urgency suddenly creeping into his voice. “I didn’t know he was back.” He looked at her, his eyes wide with fear. “If I had, I would never have told them about it.”

“What are you talking about, Mac?” Mia asked, more confused than ever. “Told who what?”

“That cop,” he said, “the one you introduced to me at the diner.” Mia shook her head, pieces suddenly fitting together.

“I’ve been working with Detective Daniels.” He spoke so softly she thought she had misheard.

“I never would have done what I did, not if I had none he was back, Mia” Mac looked at her pleadingly.

Mia was sure she had blacked out in the tub; she must be dead, and this was a dream.

“What?” she finally managed, her senses returning. “You’re working with Detective Daniels?”

“Yes, I have been since that day,” Mac said, his hands rubbing along his thighs nervously. “After talking with you, I realized I was the reason Aurelio had been stuck in this mess for three extra years. I owed him.” Mia could see the regret in his eyes, she could feel the shame he felt.

“I thought I could work to get the gang busted so Aurelio could stay out for good. No boss, no debt.” Mac swallowed, and Mia stared in disbelief.

“And it kind of worked.” Mac looked to her, a small smile on his lips. “I joined Dominick’s gang, gathered all the information on the job, and told Detective Daniels. They raided it, busting the whole gang up. But Dominick got away.” Fear crept back into his features.

“He claimed Aurelio had sabotaged the job, broken the blood pact.” Mac swallowed hard, his adam’s apple bobbing. Mia nodded, moving on autopilot as she absorbed all the information.

“Dom, he told the boss everything—about you and your relationship.” Mac shook his head. “The boss called Aurelio back in, but I didn’t know!” Mac threw his hands at Mia, grasping her tightly.

“I promise! I didn’t know!” A tear broke free, rolling down the kids face. “He had called me; when he was out, and I told him to fuck off!” Mac slapped a hand on his head, Mia grabbing his hands again to stop him.

“I didn’t listen when he said leave, I wish he had just left me!” Tears rolled down Mac’s face as he held her. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have mentioned the next job. I would’vestopped helping him.” He let go of Mia, his face falling into his hands.

“Mac,” Mia said as calmly as she could manage, her heart racing. “What happened?”

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