Page 115 of Spark

“Come on,” she said, eyes watering. “Please.” Three little dots appeared, and then the phone chimed.

I’m sorry.

Mia let the phone fall, her heart stopping. Mac grabbed her as she fell to her knees, sobbing. He held her there, his own cries echoing in the small space. She felt her lungs tighten, the air growing heavy around her. The walls began to close in, her mind spiraling. She could do nothing to stop the panic attack taking hold, plunging her into a spiral of anguish and fear. The shirt she wore was his; the heart she held in her chest was his too. She thought of his arms around her, the promises they had shared, the hopes.

Slowly, she felt the pull of fear begin to even out. She stood, Mac letting her go.

“No,” she said. “NO!” She snatched the phone from the floor and typed again.

I’m coming.

I will pull you out myself.

You are mine; I am yours.

No matter what.

Turning to Mac, she shoved him toward the door.

“Take me there, now.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Mac drove faster and faster, his urgency palpable. He kept insisting she shouldn’t go, that it was too dangerous for her to be anywhere near, but Mia didn’t care. She was determined to save Aurelio; he wasn’t allowed to throw himself onto a knife for her. Mac pulled into an abandoned shipyard; several cars parked haphazardly around them. Scanning the area, she didn’t spot Baby. She knew the car wasn’t in his possession anymore but still, she felt the disappointment hit her chest. Something told her he was here anyway, a spark inside her heart.

As Mac lead her toward the distant lights, Mia took in the scene: a crowd of people, all armed. Her heart raced as Mac pulled her hand back to him. He put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to crouch down.

“Mia, stop!” he hissed quietly as she took another step forward. “You’ll be spotted in no time. Stay here!” he yell-whispered at her.

He slipped into the bushes, and she watched him approach a guard with a gun, offering a small salute. The guard nodded and continued his patrol. Mac moved down the dock, joining a small group of men. Mia strained to see through thethick foliage blocking her view of the warehouse where she suspected the deal was going down. Just then, Aurelio walked into view.

Her breath caught in her throat. He wore black jeans ripped at the knees, a fitted black V-neck shirt, and a leather jacket that helped him blend into the shadows. She watched as he cocked back his fist and let it fly, landing a solid punch to Mac’s face. Mac stumbled backward, drawing the attention of everyone nearby, but they quickly looked away as Aurelio glared at them.

“You already had your show; get to work!” he barked at the men around him. He stood tall, the other men ducking away as he walked by. Mac staggered back toward Mia, Aurelio right behind him, fury etched across his features. As he reached the bushes where Mia hid, the guards turned away, ignoring the unfolding drama.

“Why are you here, Mac?” Aurelio roared, his voice cutting through the air. She watched him grip Macs, collar, turning him to look at him. Mia could feel the force in voice from her concealed position.

“I brought you something,” Mac replied, and Aurelio let him go. “It’s just back here.”

Aurelio narrowed his eyes, glancing toward Mia’s hiding spot. She ducked down, uncertainty flooding her. What if he didn’t want her? What if he was so angry he told her never to reach out again? She remembered how he had pulled her off him, the way he had shoved past her. How he hadn’t even said goodbye. Her heart raced as Aurelio stepped behind the bush.

Sparks flew between them as their eyes met. Mia watched as his expression shifted from relief to happiness, then sadness. Finally, his face settled in anger. Without a word, he reached through the bush, grabbing Mac by the collar.

“Why is she here?” he demanded, his gaze laser-focused on Mia. She could have sworn he could see her heart hammering in her chest. He didn’t even blink as Mac stammered a response.

“She insisted on coming, and I’m scared of her,” Mac said, forcing a nervous smile. Aurelio’s lips curled momentarily before returning to a thin line.

Mia took in his appearance: a bruise marred his right cheek, and his left eye bore a similar injury. A cut adorned his lip, and two more scars crisscrossed his neck. She mentally marked each one, remnants of a fight he had survived. Neither of them moved, the air thick with tension, the sound of their breathing all that broke the silence. Aurelio sighed, and just then, the crackle of a radio pierced the quiet. Releasing Mac, who scrambled away, behind Mia. He gripped the radio, eyes never leaving Mia’s. He brought it close to his face, Mia noting the stubble, he hadn’t shaved in days.

“Yeah, over,” he said

“Where the fuck did you go? Over,” a gruff voice replied.

“Had to piss; buyers aren’t here yet anyway. Over.”

“Well, the boss wants you back; he’s getting itchy. Over.”

“Headed back in a few; still need to piss. Over.” Aurelio clipped the radio back onto his belt, and before she could process it, Mia threw her arms around him. For a moment, he didn’t respond, his chest tight and body rigid. Then he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, burying his face in her neck as he breathed her in.

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