“I would never do such a thing.” She turned around and pressed herself into me before opening the glass door and drying off. I watched Mia in amazement as I turned off the water and she quickly slid into a different dress.
“This one seems better.” She twirled around in a black dress with a red sash and slipped on a pair of black heels.
“Not from my point of view.” I dried off quickly. “But I guess we’d never leave the house if I had my way.”
She pretended to smack me with a towel as I quickly dressed.
There was so much riding on tonight. So many things at play, and Mia had no clue. I glanced at my Rolex and took in a nervous breath.
“I’ll meet you downstairs, slow poke,” Mia said, smiling at me in the mirror. “Seriously, if we’re late, I’m totally blaming you.”
“And I’d love to hear the excuse you come up with,” I teased.
Mia rolled her eyes and left the room. I grabbed my suit jacket and put it on before opening the safe in the closet. Finding the tiny box quickly, I shoved it inside my jacket and closed the safe.
“Drake, it’s now or never,” she called from down the hall. I smiled to myself, making my way to the love of my life.
I found her near the front door, looking extremely impatient and somewhat nervous.
“Let’s get going. I’m starving, and you’re always telling me all about your mom’s cooking.”
“Of all the things you’ve been through in life, I find it hard to believe that meeting my mom is what’s making you nervous.”
“I’m not nervous. I’m scared to death.”
I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss as we went out to our car, where Viktor was waiting to drive us to Oyster Cove.
For the first time in a very long time, I wasn’t dreading spending time at Oyster Cove. Being with Mia let the good memories overshadow the bad ones, and I was looking forward to years of creating even more. The drive to my mom’s house went by in a flash, and I had Mia to thank.
“What if your mom hates me?” she asked as we pulled down the drive.
“Then she’s not a very good judge of character.” I smiled and held her hand.
“You’re supposed to say she won’t.”
“She won’t.” My smile widened. “And truthfully, even if she did, it wouldn’t change my mind.”
Mia grinned as we drove onto my family’s estate. Her breathing calmed and she squeezed my hand.
“This is a beautiful place. I can see why your mom never wanted to leave.”
I nodded as Viktor parked and my mom swung open the front door. She quickly made her way down the steps, craning her neck to see us through the tinted windows.
“Here goes nothing,” I teased, and Mia shot me a dirty look.
My mom opened the car door before Viktor had a chance.
“Mia,” my mom nearly squealed, and I glanced at Blake, who’d made his way outside. He was smiling and gave me the thumbs-up sign as my mom helped Mia out of the car.
“You’re even more ravishing than my boys told me.” She gave Mia a long hug, and I had to hide my laughter. I’d never seen my mom welcome someone like this before. Without even paying me any attention, my mom led Mia into the house.
“Well, that’s a surprise,” Blake said, sauntering down the steps.
“What did you tell Mom?” I asked.
“It wasn’t what he told her,” Jax said, smiling, coming down the steps. “Fletcher’s inside. He completely won Mom over.”
I laughed. It figured. Luke had ways of charming women I would never be able to understand.
“If he wasn’t already taken, I’d say Mom might have—”
I held up my hand. “Enough.”
Devin jogged over to us. “You ready?” He wiggled his brows.
“As ready as I can be,” I joked, tapping my jacket.
We walked up the stairs to see Mia standing in the entry, chatting excitedly with my mom about dinner, and my mom loving every second. Luke and Hannah were still hiding for the big moment, and for the first time in my life, I was nervous.
Mia waved, and relief washed over her as my mom held her hand, not letting it go.
“Maybe we should head to the family room?” I asked, and my mom’s eyes lit up.
I eyed her to tone it down, but it was a lost cause. She did, however, let go of Mia’s hand as we all walked down the hall. Mia stopped every so often to look at the family photographs that hung on the walls, my mom filling her in each step of the way.
It wasn’t until we reached the family room that Mia started to understand something more was going on. The room was filled with candles and several photographs that Luke had taken of us when were out in California. Luke and Hannah stepped inside from off the deck, and Mia gasped, slowly turning around to look at me.
I dropped to my knee and reached inside my jacket as Mia’s eyes widened, her hands moving to her mouth.
“Mia, you’ve taken away the darkness and brought so much light to my world and everyone’s you’ve touched.” I licked my lips, my nerves going into overdrive. I looked over at her brother, who gave me a quick nod. “I can’t imagine living in this world if you weren’t part of my life. Things haven’t always been easy, but you’ve shown me that there’s another world out there.”
Mia blinked back tears and whispered she loved me, and all my nervousness fell away.
I took in a deep breath and held out the tiny box, opening it slowly.
“Mia, will you make me the luckiest man in the world? Will you spend the rest your life with me?” The moment the words came out, she dropped to her knees, kissing me and saying yes in between.
My worry was that Mia was going to be the death of me, but I also couldn’t imagine living without her. I swept her into my arms, and she kissed me like I’d never been kissed before. I was hers and she was mine, forever and always.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mia
Three Months Later
Drake’s tongue slid along his bottom lip, and the sensual act drilled desire deep into my bones.
Again.
But I suppose that was how we got into this predicament in the first place. I rested my hand on my belly as the car turned down Mama V’s driveway.
“What do you think she’s going to say?” I asked, nervousness sweeping through my system.
The Volkovs were old school in all ways. We were engaged, but we weren’t married. Our wedding was still a year out. Unlike my brother, I had visions of a big affair, and so did Drake’s mom. In between another gallery opening in the city, I’d been working on the details of our wedding with his mom, and it had only brought us closer.
“She’s going to be the happiest woman alive.” He smiled, bringing my knuckles to his mouth and kissing them softly.
“That’s my title,” I teased.
“Mean it?” he asked, his voice lowering.
I nodded, and his smile deepened.
Viktor parked the car just as Drake’s phone buzzed. He glanced down and shook his head.
“Never a dull day,” he muttered.
“What’s up?” I asked rubbing his shoulder.
“A shipment has gone missing.” He scratched his chin and texted something back. “I’ll deal with it later.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded and helped me out of the car.
“Maybe my brother can help?” I asked.
“I think this is where we need to keep things separate.” Drake laughed, and my insides warmed.
We climbed the steps, and before we even had a chance to knock, Drake’s mom opened the door, her arms spreading wide open.
“You’re absolutely glowing,” she gushed, pulling me in for a kiss on each cheek.
“I . . . uh. Thank you.” I glanced at Drake, and he shrugged, as surprised as me.
We followed her into her home, and she led us straight to the kitchen.
“I’ve made all your favorites.” She turned toward the granite island,
and my eyes widened in surprise.
“Are more people coming tonight?” I asked, glancing at Drake.
“No. Just us three, but I thought you could take the leftovers back to the city.” She gave me a knowing smile but didn’t say a word as I wandered to the spread. I dipped a raw carrot into dill sauce and took a bite, happily crunching away.
There was no doubt that being welcomed into Drake’s family was the biggest blessing I could have ever hoped for. It was the life I’d been missing, and I never even knew it until I was lucky enough to step onto Oyster Cove.
“We wanted to tell you something, Mom,” Drake began, and his mom tilted her head.
Drake slid his arm around my waist and pulled me into him.
“We’re expecting.”
Hearing Drake say the words made tears come to my eyes in an unexpected wave of emotion. I quickly wiped them away as his mom rushed over to hug us both, nearly squishing me into her as she spoke Russian, kissing her son and wiping away tears of joy.
“Family is everything in our world.” She smiled, taking a step back.
She looked at her son before bringing her gaze back to me. “I want you to know that you and your brother are our family and always will be. Our bond will never be broken.”
“Thank you, but we’re the lucky ones. Your family has welcomed us like your own.”
A smile spread across her lips, and she shook her head.
“You’ve been the answer to all my prayers, Mia. Our family has needed goodness in our lives for far too long.”
Drake’s phone buzzed again, and he glanced at the screen.
“Let Blake handle it. It’s time he stops shucking his responsibilities to our family.” His mom’s gaze hardened. “This is your time now.” I wasn’t completely sure what was going on, but I was starting to see the glimpse of the woman the brothers warned me about.
Drake brought in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I mean it. Let Blake handle this one, and you sit it out. You and Mia need to celebrate this good news. Work will always be there.”
He nodded, but I could see the decision was tearing him up. It was only a matter of time before it was Blake’s turn, but I knew Drake was trying to prolong the inevitable and give Blake the chance at another life he’d never had.
“Sometimes, it’s not until your family is gone that you realize how important it is,” I told him, squeezing his hand. “How important loyalty like this is. What you have is special.”
Drake pursed his lips together and nodded.
“Your family’s strength is untouchable. Blake will understand someday, if not now. But give him a call to explain.” I let go of his hand and motioned for his mom to follow me into the kitchen.
She obliged but wore a somewhat dazed expression as she poured a cup of coffee for herself.
“What you said to my son in there . . .” She took a sip and shook her head. “Thank you.”
I nodded, and for once in my life, I finally felt at home. The chase was finally over. I was no longer searching for the unattainable.
We all had our flaws and weaknesses, but I finally realized Drake Volkov was the one weakness that would always make me stronger.
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Chapter One
Blake
Watching Ava Dalton sleep was purely magnificent. The way her dark hair framed her face next to the pillow, and the little puffs of air she breathed in a steady rhythm made me never want to let her go. After all these months, I still craved her, needed her, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage without her.
She made my world right, and I would never let anything happen to her.
No matter what it meant for us—her safety was my first priority—even if that meant leaving her to protect her.
Her pouty lips rested in a smile as she slept peacefully with all her fears deeply tucked in the recesses of her mind. She’d once told me the only places she ever felt safe were in my arms or in her dreams. Ava’s chest moved up and down as I watched her and the ache of sorrow grew.
God, it was going to be hard to leave her.
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, willing myself to follow through with the plan.
She stirred and the sheet edged down over her bare breast. My arousal pressed against the mattress, and I adjusted to take the pain away. Ava slid her arms down the sheet, tugging the fabric even lower and I kept in a growl. I wanted to consume her, and it took everything I had not to wake her up, pin her underneath me and taste her again.
Last night was the goodbye. I couldn’t afford the heartache twice and I had a plane to catch.
I traced my finger along her collarbone and her eyes fluttered open.
She let out a little moan as her gaze connected with mine. A sweet smile touched her lips.
“Feels nice,” she whispered as my fingers moved lower.
“Does it?” I asked, seeing the desire thrum through her.
“Do I really need to go to work today?” she groaned, moving her leg in between mine.
I shrugged, taking in everything about her. The softness of her skin, the flecks of gold in her brown eyes, the shiny hair framing her porcelain skin, I’d miss it all and think about her often, but I needed to do this. I needed to make her world right and give her the life she deserved.
My throat went dry with regret as she rolled over and stared into my eyes, looping her arms around my neck and bringing me toward her.
“Take me,” she whispered.
My body betrayed me as I let myself experience one last time with the woman I loved more than life itself.
Chapter Two
Ava
~Six Months Earlier~
“I smell money in the air.”
I turned my attention to the man who spoke, Abram Vasiliev. My best friend, Sarina, was engaged to him, and I still wasn’t sold on the guy. There was something shady about him, and his comment didn’t help shake that feeling. Although, his addiction to the green stuff landed us here, so I couldn’t complain too much.
“Really? I smell hot dogs.” I smiled, shaking away the unease.
“Oh, Ava.” Sarina giggled and circled her arm through Abram’s as we sat on the field at a MLS playoff game in Seattle, and I mean on the field.
Somehow, Abram arranged for a group of us to dine and watch the game from the sidelines, complete with white tablecloths, servers, and unlimited alcohol.
I wasn’t a soccer fan, but I didn’t need to be to enjoy an evening like this. It was a wonderful way to finish my Seattle trip. The last three days, I’d attended a grueling conference for Contextual Behavioral Science and desperately needed to unwind. I still wasn’t sure I was buying their practice theory, but I thought it was good to expose myself.
I turned my attention back to the field as two players slid face first toward us on the turf.
I stood up to get a better look.
There was no doubt about it. Most of these players had it going on, or maybe it was the fourth apricot ale that made me think that.
Regardless, it was hard not to appreciate the sleek definition of the men as they stood back up and glared at one another.
I took another sip of my beer, and a blond player lunged at the dark-haired player. My eyes widened in horror as I watched the blond knee the player in front of me, but before any damage had occurred, team members pulled them apart.
The referee held up a yellow card, and the stadium thundered to life with boos and jeers as the players continued their stare-off. Fans wrapped from head to toe in blue and green yelled and threw their fists into the air.<
br />
“I thought soccer was a gentle sport.” I chuckled and Sarina shook her head.
“Not in the least bit.” She popped a calamari ring in her mouth, and I looked around our little area.
“What’s up with the yellow card?” I asked her.
“It’s a caution for unsporting behavior. Two and the player will get thrown out of the game.”
“So the crowd is pissed even though he deserved it?” I asked.
She held up her finger to her lips and giggled. “Don’t say that too loud or you’ll get mobbed.”
I rolled my eyes and noticed Abram glaring at the players only yards away.
“So what makes you think you smell money?” I shouted at Abram over the cheering crowd behind us.
“Just the bet I placed before the game.” He shrugged.
I knew Abram owned a successful staffing agency, but it was hard to imagine it did this well. Maybe with the current IT frenzy in Seattle, his timing had been perfect, but something told me otherwise.
“Who’s that guy?” I asked Sarina, pointing at the dark haired player. “Number 11?”
“Cute, huh?” Her blonde hair bounced as she nodded.
“That’s an understatement.” I wiggled my brows just as he turned around, and his striking blue eyes connected with mine, sending a sudden jolt right through me. He winked before jogging back onto the field, and I literally felt my feet lift off the ground.
“Did he just wink at you?” Sarina gushed.
“No way. Not even.” I glanced behind my shoulder to see if there was a woman standing behind me, but it was clear. “You think he might have?”
Sarina giggled as Abram stood up, and I let myself imagine my first one-night stand. I suppose a professional athlete would make for an exciting story for my first time loving and leaving ‘em.
As soon as the idea crept in, I shoved it right out.
I’d made it this far in life without a one-night stand. I certainly wasn’t going to screw up now. I didn’t spend ten years bathing myself in psychology courses to fall into those trappings.
Mia: A Standalone Romantic Suspense: A Luke Fletcher and V Mafia Crossover Novel (Luke Fletcher Series Book 4) Page 19