Mia: A Standalone Romantic Suspense: A Luke Fletcher and V Mafia Crossover Novel (Luke Fletcher Series Book 4)

by Karice Bolton

  Drake slid his fingers through his dark hair and glanced around the room. I froze, afraid he might crank his neck a little too far and notice me.

  He didn’t. I narrowed my eyes on the woman, who was still fumbling with her purse, when I realized I was staring at the person Drake was meeting. My heart started pounding as a spike of adrenaline shot through me. I glanced around nervously, pulled my phone out of my purse, and with trembling fingers, tapped my way to the camera. She handed Drake something so tiny I couldn’t see what it was. A thumb drive maybe?

  I pinched and expanded the camera screen as I held up the phone and pretended to take a selfie. The woman’s features were somewhat blurry, so I adjusted the zoom and took several more shots.

  The woman’s eyes connected with mine just as I was sliding my phone back into my purse, and my chest constricted. I wasn’t cut out for this kind of work. I stood up quickly and began weaving through the crowd, but I felt the burn of his eyes on me as I left.

  By the time I’d reached the bottom of the stairs, my heart was hammering wildly in my chest. I was certain I’d just landed on the person my brother needed. I shoved my mask inside my purse and pulled my phone back out.

  I carefully walked down the sidewalk with my eyes glued to the screen as I sent him all the photographs. A crashing exhaustion pummeled through me.

  I didn’t know how my brother lived on this much adrenaline day in and day out. All I wanted was to get back to the apartment I was renting for the next few weeks and call it a night.

  I turned down the narrow street that led to my building, and an uneasy feeling skittered across my flesh. I glanced behind me but didn’t see a soul. The sidewalks ahead and behind me were empty. The burn of the streetlights and the faint glow from the apartment windows were the only lights in this direction. It wasn’t a particularly bad area, but it wasn’t great either. It felt cold and isolated.

  I took in a deep breath and wrapped my arms around myself as I glanced behind me once more. The feeling of being watched only intensified the further down the sidewalk I walked.

  I quickened my pace, but the sound of a can being kicked behind me sent a jolt of fear through me. I quickly crossed the street to get away from the dumpster. Another kick of the can made my stomach tighten as I glanced behind me.

  I saw his shadow before I saw the person. My entire world went into slow motion as I attempted to run and scream, but his fingers wrapped around my wrist while his other arm wrapped around my waist and hauled me into him. He slapped his palm on my mouth and shoved me against the wall, his body pushing into mine so hard I couldn’t breathe. The panic rose so quickly that my mind couldn’t even put together what was happening other than this was the same guy from the party.

  I screamed against his hand and elbowed his ribcage, but this time, he was up for the challenge. He pulled my hair with his free hand while I kicked his shins, screaming muffled cries to absolutely no one.

  I kneed him in his groin, and his grip loosened just enough that I managed to almost wriggle away, but he caught me in his grasp as I scrambled sideways.

  His eyes reflected madness as he pressed his hand flatter against my face, squishing my nose and whipping me toward him.

  The pulse of hope didn’t last as he shook his head and slammed me against the building again, my head crashing into the brick. Sharp pains darted through my skull, and my vision dimmed as he dug his knee into my abdomen, slinking the skirt of my dress up my legs as I thrashed helplessly against his prying hands.

  I scrunched my eyes closed, but without warning, his grip fell away. I heard a quick scuffle before the crack of metal, or bone, or both, sounded into the silence of the night. My body slid down the wall, and I recoiled into a tight ball, afraid to open my eyes.

  “You’re going to be okay. Let me take you to the hospital,” Drake said softly, brushing something off my cheek.

  I shook my head and opened my eyes to see Drake kneeling in front of me. My eyes fell to the man behind him, crumpled on the sidewalk, his wallet lying next to him.

  “Is he . . .?”

  Drake shook his head and gently lifted me into his arms to take me home.

  Chapter Four

  Drake

  It took everything I had not to kill that son of a bitch, but our family knew better than to waste ten years behind bars for something like that. We didn’t cause damage out in the open unless there was a need.

  But it was tempting.

  I stood in front of the only window in her apartment and looked down at the street I’d just scraped her up from. Her studio apartment was small, with nothing more than a tiny kitchen, a queen-size bed, and two chairs positioned in front of a flat screen. It had a bathroom that would qualify as most people’s guest powder room. The finishes were nice, but the place was way too small. The whole place could fit in my foyer.

  I turned around slowly and watched her lying in bed, my chest heavy with the regret of not getting to her sooner. The fear had drained from her features, and she looked so peaceful.

  Angelic.

  I didn’t know what I was still doing here. I just didn’t want her to be alone. I’d tried to unlock her phone to call someone for her, but her code wasn’t an obvious one. A text had come over about some photos, but I couldn’t access it to see who it was from or if they were someone I should inform about what had happened.

  Technology was a blessing and a curse.

  When I picked up her purse from the street, her California identification had spilled onto the concrete, along with her apartment key, and it was the only clue I had about who she was.

  Mia Dufort.

  I’d tried finding relatives based on her last name, but I came up empty-handed there too.

  I walked over to one of the chairs and took a seat. Propping my elbows on my knees, I rocked back and forth. I’d been here for a few hours, but I didn’t want her waking up alone. She refused to let me take her anywhere, and by the time I got her upstairs, she was fast asleep.

  It didn’t feel right leaving.

  It also didn’t feel right staying.

  She stirred gently under the covers, and my body stiffened as I watched her slowly rustle around. She was so incredibly beautiful, and I felt like an awful man for noticing, considering what she’d just gone through.

  I shook my head and held in a groan of frustration.

  If only I had picked up my step after she’d left the party, I could have gotten to her sooner, gotten to him sooner. She let out a little murmur, and I shot up quickly to see her turning over.

  My chest squeezed when I noticed blood streaked along the fabric. I’d been on such an adrenaline rush that I didn’t realize she was bleeding.

  She let out another soft mumble as I slowly made my way over to see if there was any obvious place the blood was coming from.

  “Alex,” Mia whispered, her arms circling around her pillow.

  I stilled and my stomach clenched.

  Was that her ex? Was that her brother?

  I looked along her bare arms and didn’t see any source of bleeding, which was somewhat of a relief except that I still didn’t know the cause. Her palms looked scuffed up, but not enough to streak the covers.

  I quietly walked back over to the window and leaned against the frame. Watching the emptiness of the city, the isolation, silently plow through the streets at this time of night was always hard to get used to. Considering this was when I did some of my best work, it was hard to believe I still didn’t like this part of the night.

  Mia let out a little snort, and I glanced over my shoulder to see her still sleeping. How could someone do that to her?

  I shook my head and felt the familiar flash of anger. My dad had been right about people. Nine times out of ten, they were a disappointment. We’d been burned in life countless times, but we’d always managed to come out ahead, to come out on top.

  Until we didn’t.

  He’d been right about most things, but it didn’t make our lives an
y easier. This was another reason I hated this time of night. The silence forced me alone with my own thoughts.

  “You’re still here,” Mia said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

  My heart rate climbed hearing her voice.

  I didn’t want her to feel threatened in any way, so I stayed by the window and slowly turned around.

  “I am. I didn’t think you should be alone.”

  “Thank you.” She attempted to slide up in bed but grimaced from the effort. “My entire body aches.”

  I nodded and slowly walked over to the end of the bed, which in this small place only took a few steps.

  “Do you need something? I can get you water or whatever.”

  She blushed, but her eyes steadied on mine. There wasn’t an ounce of fear laced through her expression, which made me relax slightly.

  “I actually have to use the restroom, and I’d like to change out of my dress.” Her voice was only marginally stronger.

  I nodded. I’d never been struck silent before, but I was at a loss. It was like I’d become a bumbling idiot around this woman. I wanted to tell her how I’d planned on helping her into something more comfortable, but that would come out wrong so I stayed silent.

  She lifted her arm to shove down the covers and drew in a tortured hiss.

  “Let me help?” I asked, already making my way over to the bed.

  Relief darted through her gaze, and she nodded as I pulled the sheets down and helped her swing her legs over the side. Her body trembled from my touch, but I slowly circled my arm around her waist. She leaned her weight on me as I helped her to the tiny bathroom.

  “If this damn bathroom got any smaller, it might as well be a porta-potty,” she grumbled, shutting the door behind her.

  I held in a chuckle and walked to her kitchen only a few yards away. Any place in this apartment was within earshot, so if she needed me, I’d certainly hear her, and because of that, I wanted to give her privacy.

  I found a glass, filled it with water, and walked it over to her nightstand as she opened the door.

  “I look like hell,” she said, spotting the water glass. “I might need more than that after the night I had.” A smile faintly traced her beautiful lips.

  She slowly walked over to her bed and took a seat before drinking the water.

  “I don’t completely remember what happened,” she said after setting her empty glass on the table.

  “We can call the police. Report it.”

  “Would that get you in trouble?” she asked, her brow arching.

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  Her eyes fell to my stomach and widened.

  “You’re bleeding.”

  I looked down and saw a small circle of blood on my Armani shirt.

  “Well, that explains it,” I muttered, working my shirt loose.

  “Explains what?”

  “I thought it was from you.” I nodded behind her, and she looked down at her covers.

  “Oh.”

  “It must have been from when I slid you in bed.”

  I undid the bottom few buttons and lifted my shirt to see a small slice from the prick’s knife. If I had been even seconds later, who knew what he would have done to Mia.

  “You probably need stitches.” Her voice cracked and my eyes flashed to hers. I quickly buttoned my shirt and shook my head.

  “I’m fine.”

  Her eyes darkened.

  “I’m a bleeder. It’s just a scratch.”

  The joke managed to crack a smile.

  “Would you like some more water?” I asked.

  I didn’t want to leave. There was something about being around her that put something in my life I hadn’t experienced for a long time.

  Joy.

  “I’m good. Thank you, though.”

  “Would you like me to get your phone so you can call someone?”

  She shook her head and let out a sigh.

  “Mia, I think you should call someone,” I tried again.

  Her gaze flew to mine. “You know my name.”

  “Your driver’s license fell out of your purse.”

  It looked like the weight of the world had been lifted with that answer.

  “Did you want to call your brother?” I asked. “You mentioned him earlier.” I didn’t want to spook her again by leaving out information.

  “I don’t want to worry anyone.”

  “How about I call him?” I offered. “I can explain what happened.”

  Her body stiffened, and she shook her head. “That would actually be a really bad idea.”

  I laughed and nodded. My sister would have said the same thing.

  I pushed away the sadness at the last thought. It had been three years, and the pain hadn’t gotten any easier.

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Someone texted about some photos.”

  A flash of worry darted through her gaze, and she looked around the room for her phone.

  “What did the message say?” she asked.

  “I didn’t really pay attention. Something about pics giving them the answer needed.”

  She looked relieved, and I wondered if it was an ex. Maybe Alex . . . whoever he was.

  A few seconds of silence passed. She looked smaller and smaller sitting on the edge of her bed. I didn’t want to leave her alone, but there was no reason for me to stay.

  “I should probably get headed home. It’s been a long day. Did you need any other help before I take off?” I asked.

  “Could you grab some pajamas out of the drawer over there and bring my phone?” she asked, looking sheepish, and my heart tore. “Sorry.”

  “You have absolutely nothing to apologize about, but I really wish you’d let me call someone for you.” I hated that these words were about to leave my lips. “What about Ginger?”

  That got an unexpected chuckle out of Mia as I opened the drawer and found a pair of white knit shorts and a matching camisole. I held them up, and she nodded.

  “So you won’t let me call Ginger either, I take it.”

  “I honestly don’t know her that well. I have a show at her gallery beginning this weekend, so we’ve gotten to know one another over the last several months, but I certainly don’t want her to know what happened.”

  I took the phone out of her purse and laid everything on her bed.

  “Then let me give you my number, and if you need anything . . .” My voice trailed off.

  She looked conflicted about something, almost like she was doing something she knew she shouldn’t be doing, which unless she was attached, I didn’t understand the look.

  Mia reached for her phone and typed the code in.

  “The way things have been going, I think that’s probably a good idea.” She handed me her phone, and I quickly typed in my number before handing it back.

  “There are still a few hours of night left.” I glanced at her and knew I needed to leave. Everything about her turned me on. I wasn’t a creep, but I was a man. “Try to get some sleep.”

  “Thank you again for everything,” she said softly.

  “No need to thank me.”

  I let myself out of Mia’s apartment, and by the time I reached the elevator, I felt empty. At least for the night, I’d been able to forget just how screwed up my own life was and allowed myself to help someone else.

  And for once, I wasn’t the one to be feared.

  Chapter Five

  Mia

  My eyelids were heavy as I stretched slowly and carefully in bed, rolling over to block the hazy sunlight coming through my window. I never shut the blinds last night.

  Last night!

  I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and noticed bruises around my wrist. Fear dotted my spine as I remembered what put them there.

  Glancing at my phone, I debated whether to tell my brother what had happened.

  He’d want to fix it, make my problem his, and I couldn’t do that to him or me. Luke would blame himself, even though there was no way to predict w
hat had happened. It was completely separate from why I went to the event, but he would no doubt wrap himself in guilt for taking me up on my offer to attend, and before I knew it, he’d send men to keep an eye on me.

  No. I wasn’t going to tell Luke a thing. Besides, the less I talked about it, the quicker the memories would go away.

  Wasn’t that how it worked?

  A shiver ran down my spine just thinking about the look in my assailant’s eyes, a mixture of hate and attraction rolled into a ball of evil.

  For what?

  Because I wouldn’t let him touch me?

  I definitely wasn’t going to tell Luke. Only recently had my brother finally lessened his grip. Back in California, we’d had our own issues with crazy. It was actually what pushed Luke into the security business. He’d made it his mission in life to protect the ones he loved, and I fell into that category. It wasn’t until the people were put behind bars that I began to feel free again.

  Until last night.

  I shoved the last thought aside and dragged myself out of the comfort of bed. I had a busy day today, and I couldn’t let someone ruin why I was here in New York.

  It was a big week for me.

  Shuffling to the bathroom, I felt every single muscle in my body stretch and burn like I’d run a marathon. I’d put up a fight, but it hadn’t been enough.

  As I looked into the mirror, I let out a sigh. Shadows of darkness layered under my eyes, and I looked pale. I lived on a beach, and the California sun always made sure I had color. Stress was a killer.

  I moved closer to the mirror, examining the redness around my throat. Would Ginger notice? Would she ask questions? I was supposed to meet her this afternoon when her staff was done installing my work at the gallery.

  Funny how things that seemed so important one day seemed rather insignificant the next.

  I turned on the shower and waited for it to warm, my mind drifting to Drake. If he hadn’t been there, I didn’t know what would’ve happened.

  But why was he there?

  I shook the thought aside, stepped into the shower, and let the hot water sting my flesh. I turned the faucet to even hotter and stood under the stream, letting the first tears fall from the exhaustion of it all.