Page 65 of Spark

“Stop!” he yelled. The domination in his voice startled her. “Stop this!” His voice was still in control, but quieter. “Please.”

Aurelio placed a kiss on her temple, squeezing her lightly. Mia felt like fighting, wanting to punch, kick, and claw. But she didn't want to hurt Aurelio; he wasn't her target. Her target was everything else around them, everything trying to pull them apart. Tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes. She cried for the man she loved, trapped in a world he hated. She cried for her father, not being able to say goodbye, and being pulled apart from her brothers and home. She cried for herself and the life she thought she was building, which was a distant thought because of the turmoil she found herself in.

Aurelio held her, letting her sob in his arms; he just gently kissed her temple, and whispered his love in her ear. After a few minutes, his forehead pressed against her neck; his words were still soothing, and his chest expanded against her back.

“I'm sorry,” Mia murmured softly, breathing it out into the world.

Aurelio lifted his head, letting it shift to her shoulder, kissing the skin lightly. “Don't be. Anytime I get to hold you is alright by me.” He breathed in deep; the sunshine smell of herskin reminded him of driving with windows down as he sped down the road on a warm summer day.

Mia smiled at his words. [SS19][SS20]“I don't want to be locked up like a princess in a tower. I'm not helpless. I can protect myself.” She turned, letting his hands glide across her body as she pressed her chest to his. “I punched him, remember?” Her knuckles were still sore from landing that blow.

Aurelio laughed, and one of his hands slapped his forehead, partially covering his eyes. “I do. And honestly, I can’t wait to see his face and know my girl did that.” He smirked. “But I need to know you’re safe. I need to know so I can focus on what I need to do.”

“I understand, but we have to compromise. I still have work at the diner and college to finish.”

“I know, beautiful. I would never keep you from your dreams.”

“Then what do we do?” she asked, rubbing his chest.

“First, we’ll get you safe. Then, I’ll meet with Dominick; I'm sure he is waiting for my call. After that, it all depends on how that conversation plays out.”

“I can’t stay there forever.”

“I know.” Aurelio nodded, placing his hands on her waist. “But can you give me twenty-four hours?”

“Aurelio, I…” Mia thought about it for a moment. “I guess. I have to call Flory and Amy and see if they can take the shift tomorrow.”

“You know damn well Amy will take it.”

“Only if Mac's working, and it sounds like he won't be.”

“Yeah, that's true.” They chuckled; both had seen the puppy love between the two kids over the last few weeks.

“Flory might,” Mia suggested.

“Beautiful, can we get back in the car now?”

Mia rolled her eyes and nodded, letting him grab her hand and lead her to the passenger seat. He helped her in, reaching over and buckling her seat belt, pulling it tight.

“Overkill.”

“Making sure you don't run again, beautiful.” Aurelio grinned and winked, stepping back and shutting the door. He moved quickly, getting behind the wheel and driving through the gate. He turned to her with a serious face. “Stay.” He quickly got out to lock the gate back up.

Mia gave him a quick, withering look when he returned and took off down the road. She couldn't remain calm on the drive; her mind raced with thoughts of the future, how everything had spiraled so quickly, and how they could possibly get out of the situation.

Chapter Twenty-Two

She was lost in thought when Aurelio came up on exit seven, turning and driving down it. Instead of meeting Mac right off the exit, Aurelio kept driving. All the red lights were off in the area, but there was no traffic. They came up to a small, simple two-story house with a garage larger than the main structure itself.

Aurelio hit a button on the car, and one of the garage doors opened. Mac's car was parked already, but the teen was nowhere to be seen. Aurelio got out and opened Mia's door. Grabbing her hand, he escorted her into the house. Just as she imagined, the house was simple, with white walls and connecting doorways leading to unseen rooms. They entered the kitchen with only a fridge and dusty tiled countertops.

“We use this house sparingly,” Aurelio explained at Mia’s perplexed look.

They headed to a living room with a fireplace; two oversized chairs with vastly different prints sat on either side of a couch with worn brown leather and patches. “It's like a safe house's safe house. Mac?!”

“Yeah?” The teen’s voice came from upstairs.

Aurelio rolled his eyes. “Get down here!”

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