Page 44 of Fortress of the Brave

I’ve avoided her the last few days, and if she knew it, she doesn’t show it.

“How are you?” I ask her, as I put the last of the bags in the back tray and fasten it up.

“I’m good,” she says, rubbing her arms with her hands. She always does that when she’s nervous. “Well, it’s time I went and got the rest of my stuff, since I’ll be living here permanently.”

“There’s no time like the present,” I say, palming the back of my neck. I swallow hard. “Mia, about the other night…”

She waves a hand at me. “It’s okay. We were both…uh…amped up from all of the stuff going on.”

Huh?

I’m dismissed just like that?

She seems a little distant.

I probably could have called…or texted her, but I didn’t want to over-complicate things.

I open my mouth to say something, but Darko and Rayne step into the garage.

Angelo left earlier this morning. It wouldn’t surprise me if he shows up in New York. He can’t stay away from Rayne for more than twenty-four hours.

I open the back passenger side for Mia, as Darko does the same for Rayne, and they climb in.

Darko joins me in the front and decides my music isn’t to his taste, and changes it repeatedly.

We flow easily through the mid-morning traffic to New York.

“It’s a shame about the tickets,” Rayne tells Mia. I listen in on every word they say, though Mia barely says a word.

“Next time,” Mia says quietly. “It isn’t like Rockefeller Center is going anywhere.”

Rayne gives her a squeeze on the arm. “You say that every year.”

Are they talking about ice skating?

It’s early December, and everyone is ready for Christmas everywhere you look. New York will be no different.

She smiles sadly and says, “Next time,” then our eyes meet in the rear vision mirror, but she looks away quickly.

I see hurt there, and it kicks me in the guts.

By the time we get into the city, I’ve already learned she will be catching up with her two best friends, Ashley and Caroline, and that they are all going to go shopping at Macy’s then having dinner.

I also overheard her mention some coffee thing with someone called Tom from her office. Apparently, he’s a friend, and my ears instantly pricked up.Who the fuck is Tom?

I don’t know, but I already don’t like the sounds of it.

Going to Mia’s apartment and standing in her doorway feels strange, but both Darko and I have our instructions. We let the movers get on with it as Rayne and Mia pack her personal belongings into smaller boxes.

“It’s very nice of you to come with us,” Rayne says as we linger in the doorway of the apartment. “Now that Mia’s lease is up, it seemed like a good idea to get everything sorted out.”

I don’t tell her that it wasn’t my choice. It’ll sort of ruin the moment.

“It’s a good excuse for a change of scenery,” I reply.

“Mia is meeting her friends later, if you’re all good with that? They’re going to Miso Japanese for dinner.”

I nod. “Darko and I will grab a table close by.”

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