Page 68 of Seeking Shadows

My grip tightens on the wheel, but I don’t say anything. I know how brutal, how twisted that man can be, and part of me is grateful that, for once, Mia isn’t his focus. I know she doesn’t want me to fix this—because itcan’tbe fixed.

But still, part of me wishes I were strong enough to take her pain away.

I don’t say anything. I just listen. And Mia keeps going.

“This constant tension… sometimes it unsettles me, you know?” She turns her head to look at me. “Like, I pretend I don’t care. And most of the time, I really don’t. But there are days when it gets to me. Because Iknowthis silence is leading up to something bigger.”

I nod, keeping my eyes on the road. “That makes sense.”

She watches me for a moment before exhaling heavily. “I hate it when you’re this understanding.”

One corner of my mouth lifts in a smirk. “And what’s the alternative? Tell you you’re being paranoid? I’m not the type to boss people around like you think.You’rethe one who likes that.”

Mia rolls her eyes, but this time, there’s a trace of relief in them, like she’s managed to unload some of the weight on her shoulders.

I like it when she talks about her feelings without turning them into a joke. It means she trusts me enough to do it.

The road grows emptier as we approach the diner. The restaurant’s lights glow warmly in the middle of the dark landscape.

Mia stretches her arms out. “I hope they still have caramel waffles.”

I pull into the parking lot, glancing at her. “You could always kill the owner if they don’t have what you want.”

“No, he’s a sweet old man.”

We step out without another word. Mia walks ahead while I trail behind, hands stuffed in my jacket pockets, watching her—like I always do.

There’s a lightness to her that I’ll never understand, as if the world is hers for the taking, and all she has to do is decide where to run.

I’m not like that. I never have been.

But I follow her anyway—because that’s what I do. Because Ican’tnot.

The diner smells warm and sweet, like a place that exists outside of reality. As soon as we step inside, Mia brightens.

“Tony!” She practically jumps up to the counter, grinning like she’s seeing an old friend. “How are you? Don’t tell me you’re still on that ridiculous green juice diet.”

The waiter, an older man in a stained apron, chuckles. “Mia, I gave up on that after the second day.”

“You should rest more. What’s the point of being the owner if you spend all day serving people? Take your grandson out for a walk.”

“That little brat doesn’t deserve it,” he grumbles, making Mia laugh—anddamn, it’s the most beautiful sound in the universe.

Then she turns to another waitress. “And you, Sammy? How’s the new dog? Has he stopped eating your furniture yet?”

“No,” Sammy sighs in exasperation, then glances at me. “But let’s not talk about me. Who’s this young man?”

“He’s just my driver,” Mia smirks, and Sammy shoots her a look.

“You must be Zane,” she says, shaking my hand, and I look at her, confused.

“Everything Mia talked about when she came here was you. How you’re handsome and charming, and how proud I’d be to meet you.”

“Sammy,” Mia groans. “You canstopnow.”

“I’m just happy to see you happy, Mia. Only God knows what you’ve been through.”

I glance at Mia, puzzled.

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