Page 71 of Spark

Mia sank into the feeling before pulling back, her hands around his neck, eyes locked on his. “Come home to me.”

“Always, beautiful.”

Mac was outside, waiting, unsmiling, for Mia. It was better to part there, where no one would be watching. It was better to leave and go back to her own world while she waited.

“Ass,” she hissed, getting in the car and staring at the house. Mac’s shoulders slumped as he got behind the wheel.

One heavy curtain moved aside; Aurelio’s face peaked out with a grim smile on his lips. Mia gave a little wave as the vehicle was put in drive. The ride to the loft was quiet as she tried to push all her worry to the back of her mind.

When Mac fiddled with the radio with shaky hands, Mia gave him a break. “I’m not mad.” She took in his pale appearance; sweat beaded on his forehead. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Mac said unconvincingly. “I’m fine.” He took a deep breath, swallowing hard. “Just a lot going on.”

“Yeah.” He was just a kid trapped in this mess. “I know.” Mia placed a hand on his as it rested on the shifter. The kid looked at her, eyes wide. When she smiled at him reassuringly, Mac smiled back, relaxing a little.

“Sorry, Mia.”

Her hand patted his before returning to her lap. “It’s okay.” She sighed, “Sorry I tried to put you in the middle of our shit.”

“That’s okay. It was like watching my mom and dad fight.” He let out a little laugh. “And sorry, Mom, but Dad will whip my ass if I don’t listen.” They both laughed, the tension easing. Mac pulled in front of the loft. As Mia grabbed her bag, her phone started ringing.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mia,” Janet’s voice came over the line. “Did you leave for school already? Cause you left your door open.”

“What?!” Mia exclaimed, hands flying to the door handle and pushing it open. Mac turned off the engine, looking confused and concerned.

“Yeah, I heard you shuffling around and run out. Do you want me to close it?” The sound of the older woman moving was clear over the phone.

“Don’t touch anything! I will be right there.” Mia ran into the building, Mac right behind her. She took the stairs two at a time, her legs beginning to burn as she vaulted up to the third floor. As she rounded the corner, she spotted Janet standing in her doorway, the phone still in her hand. Mia’s door was cracked open like someone had tried to slide it closed as they fled. Her apartment was torn apart. Books and papers were all over the floor; her dresser was pulled open, and clothes were all over the place.

“What the shit?!” Mia yelled, turning to look back at the door. Janet gave her wide eyes and slid her own loft door closed. Mac stepped into the apartment slowly, his phone at his ear.

“Calling Aurelio.” He said it like it was obvious.

“No. Stop,” Mia tried to interject, but she was too late.

She heard Aurelio answer the phone, his voice booming. “Mac!”

“Hey, um,” Mac stuttered, looking at Mia, whose eyes were wide, daring him to say it.

“Don’t, Mac. I can handle it,” she gritted quietly through her teeth.

But the teen shook his head and walked past her, further into the apartment. “Someone broke into Mia’s place.”

“It’s fine!” Snatching the phone from him, Mia interrupted Aurelio before he had a chance to say anything. “I can handle this.”

“Mia, you need to leave there.” Aurelio’s voice boomed out of the phone, Mac giving me a look that conveyed his apology for calling and a plea for her to listen. Mia gave him a hard look in return.

“No, it’s fine.” She said to both men, her eyes on Mac. “Let me call Detective Daniels.” Mac’s face fell as Aurelio’s voice carried from the phone again.

“No. No cops.” His voice was a sonic boom in her ear. Mac’s face paled as he looked away from Mia. He looked like a rat in a trap as she watched him back up till his back hit the wall.

“What?” Mia said, turning her attention back to the disastrous loft before her. “Someone broke in. I’m calling him.” The defiance in her voice seemed to trigger something with Aurelio, she heard him take a deep breath.

“Mia,” Aurelio started.

“You can’t come here.” She interrupted, gingerly stepping into the loft to take a clearer stock of the damage. “I need to keep things separate for now. Besides, we don’t know who broke in or if anything is missing. Let me handle this, and I will call you back.” There was silence for a moment and then another deep exhalation.

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