by Jill Sanders
Mia didn’t know what to say and stood as the other woman got up. She was a little surprised when the woman hugged her.
“Thank you from me and from Miley.” She kissed her unbruised cheek. “If you want to talk…” She handed her a business card.
The fact that the woman was a counselor made sense somehow.
“Thank you,” she said and watched the woman walk out of the store without buying anything.
Leaving her almost full cart, she sat back down and called Brian.
“Hey, I was just—”
“Is it true?” she interrupted. The knowledge that he’d left her out of the loop on this cut deep.
“Is what true?” he asked, and she could hear that he’d stepped out of whatever club he was in trying to track down the drugs.
“That the woman has been ID’d and that there were four more bodies found?”
Brian was silent, which said more than any words could have.
“Fuck you,” she said softly. “How could you leave me out like this?”
“It wasn’t my choice,” Brian said quickly. “Carter thought—”
“Fuck you both then,” she said, hanging up the phone and tucking it into her pocket. She knew that it would start ringing soon and planned on ignoring it.
Since several items in the cart were now getting warm, she finished her shopping, loaded up the Jeep, and then walked next door to find her mother and Steve gifts.
She hadn’t gotten Brian anything yet. She hadn’t found anything in town that fit him.
There was a little store that she enjoyed walking through called the Zoo. It had a bunch of secondhand items and unique furniture and crafts from local artists.
She found a small silver necklace for her mother that had a tiny kaleidoscope dangling from the silver chain. She didn’t know her mother, not really, but figured the simple yet whimsical design could be appreciated by anyone.
Steve was a lot harder, and she ended up buying the guy a pair of gloves. Since she didn’t know the man’s build, she figured it was a safe gift.
Letting the clerk wrap them, she ignored the many calls and text messages from Brian. When she walked in the back door of the house, Brian gathered her in his arms.
“I’m so sorry. I should have told you.” He held onto her. She tried to jerk free, but he was too strong, and it felt too good being held.
Since… that night, he’d been nothing but patient and kind. He hadn’t touched her besides kissing her gently. She was desperate and as a rush of desire and anger washed over her, she pushed him against the entryway wall and attacked him. Letting the bag of groceries and the wrapped gifts fall to the floor, she gathered his T-shirt and yanked it over his head quickly.
“Mia,” he warned.
“No, shut up. I need this. I need… to feel alive and to be touched by someone I want.” She kicked off her shoes and shoved him again until his back hit the wall once more.
She didn’t let him get out another word of complaint, since she covered his mouth with hers in a kiss using every emotion that she’d had over the past few days.
Taking the snap of his jeans, she yanked them down his hips and gripped him firmly. “This,” she said against his chest as she nibbled on his skin, “this is mine.”
“God,” he groaned as his fingers dug into her shoulders. “Yes.”
Pushing herself away, her eyes locked with his as she quickly stripped off her clothing, tossing them to the ground in a pile. His eyes moved over her as if in a trance.
“Tell me,” she said, as she moved out of his reach.
“I’m yours,” he said. “I need you. I love you. Whatever you want, I’ll say it.”
“You’re sorry you…” she hinted, smiling.
His eyes returned to hers, and his smile fell away. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
She jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his hips. He reversed their positions, pushing her back against the wall, holding her pinned between his chest and the wall.
The force of his passion almost knocked the breath from her lungs. Just the way he was looking at her had her begging him to hurry.
His mouth moved over hers, down her neck, as his free hand found the softness of her and played with her until she cried out and begged for him to finish her off.
“Tell me.” He turned the tables on her.
“I love you,” she said eagerly, knowing just what he wanted. When he plunged into her, she knew that she had everything she’d ever wanted in life.
Chapter 22
To their shock, the following day there were several news crews parked outside of the Dancing Moose.
Since they were meeting Rea and Tom there again, they parked in the lot and watched the diner.
“Think they know about me?” Mia asked, glancing over towards him.
Brian thought about it. “You said Kylie knew about you?”
She nodded. He knew that everyone in town was talking about how Mia had killed Jonah and how they had found another woman’s body. But there were only a handful of people who knew that the body had been identified.
“This could blow our cover,” Mia said softly.
He thought about it. “Or seal it even more.”
In the last few days, since her attack, he’d gotten further than he had before. Charlie had known more than they had credited him with.
He knew that Gary was under Jonah and had gone by the nickname of Vegas. The only thing Charlie was sure of is that a guy that went by the code name Reno had taken Jonah’s place.
“I’ve heard the boss is pissed that Jonah had a side gig…” It had taken everything in Brian not to punch the guy in the face at that point. What Jonah had done to Mia and all the other women was not a side gig. “He’s putting out feelers for someone to take Jonah’s place on a more permanent basis.” At this point, Charlie’s chest puffed out. “I’m hoping for the spot.”
“We’d better go in,” Mia said, breaking him out of the memory.
He reached for the door handle, but before he could open it, one of the camera crew glanced their way.
“That’s her,” he saw a man say to a small crowd standing by a van.
Before he could get Mia’s door open, they were bombarded with questions as cameras were shoved in their faces.
“Don’t answer any of them,” he said into her ear.
But when a question was thrown out about Miley and Kylie, she stopped.
“My heart goes out to all of the families touched by this evil man. Thank you.” She started walking quickly and he reached to open the door to the diner just as Tom stepped out and warned the crew that unless they were eating there, they were trespassing.
Most of them backed off, respecting their privacy during the meal, but a few of the crews tried to sit close to their table to overhear anything that was said between them.
Neal and Rumi, the owners of the diner, had given them the back booth and surrounded them with locals, forcing the media crews to sit on the opposite side of the diner.
“Thanks for that,” Brian said to Rumi.
“I’ll take their money, but I will not let them harass good people.” She nodded to them. “If you need anything…” She touched Tom’s shoulder before leaving them to enjoy their food.
“So,” Brian said softly, “what do we know?” He almost whispered it.
“Nothing new, except they believe there’s more bodies in Kalispell, as well as Malta. Hell, at this point, we’re pretty sure this man has left a trail of bodies all the way back to his hometown of Malta. Which would have had him killing in his teens.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it.” Brian sighed and took Mia’s hand under the table. It felt cold and he rubbed it between his own, trying to warm her.
“The guy’s parents own a country club there. Someone described him as a rich brat in his yearbook. One who got away with everything as a child.”
“What are his parents saying?” Brian asked, knowing full well that they were
probably very tight-lipped. If they knew their son was crossing the state leaving a trail of bodies, they could probably be held liable in some form. If not legally, then financially.
“They’ve lawyered up,” Tom said as their drinks were delivered.
“How are you doing, sweetie?” his mother broke in.
“I’m much better,” Mia answered after a moment. “Bruised, but alive.” They kept their voices down and Mia lowered hers even more. “I ran into Kylie, Miley’s twin, at the grocery store.”
“Oh.” His mother reached across and touched Mia’s arm. “I’m so sorry, sweetie.”
“No.” Mia glanced in his direction and he felt bad again for leaving her in the dark. “It was good for me and her. I think.”
Just then, there was a scuffle outside, and Tom had to leave to handle it.
“How are things going?” Brian asked his mom.
“Busy. Tom and the rest of them are all on mandatory double time until Gary’s killer is caught…”
“It’s funny, with the whole attack and Jonah thing, Gary’s death fell in the background,” he admitted.
“His funeral was yesterday.”
“It was?” Damn, he’d meant to attend it to see who had shown up.
“Yes. There was a good turnout. Most everyone in town was there. I figured… you two would be busy.” She smiled over at Mia.
“Thank you,” Mia said softly.
By the time their food arrived, Tom was back and complaining about out-of-towners.
The conversation turned to the holidays and he knew his mother and Tom were trying to keep things light for Mia’s sake.
As their empty plates were cleared, Mia spoke up.
“My mother and her… boyfriend Steve are coming into town later tonight.”
“Oh, how wonderful…” his mother said.
“I was just wondering… would it be okay to have two more for Christmas Eve dinner?”
“Honey, it’s your home. You’re free to invite whomever you want.” His mother smiled.
“But, isn’t there some sort of… etiquette? I don’t know these things.” Mia shrugged.
Tom laughed. “If we have to follow rules of etiquette, we’re in trouble then, Rea.” Tom took up his mother’s hand and kissed it.
“We’d be thrilled to meet your mother and her man,” his mother said. “What does she think of all this?” She waved towards the large crowd still parked outside.
“She… doesn’t know.” Mia frowned and her face paled.
“Hey, you can always call her and fill her in,” he suggested.
“No, I’ll tell her when she gets here.” She glanced at her watch. “They’ll be at our place for dinner tonight.”
“I’ll make some more of my chili,” Brian suggested.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Mia’s smile returned.
“He makes the best,” his mother added. “It’s Blackfoot’s recipe. Yet Brian’s is slightly different, better somehow.”
“I add a secret ingredient.” He winked at Mia.
“If you tell me it’s love, I’m going to barf,” she replied, causing everyone at the table to laugh.
When they left the diner, Tom cleared a path for them to the car. Thankfully, only pictures were snapped as they ran through the mush of the parking lot.
The snow had stopped a few days back, but the coldness of the days and nights had it remaining and causing nothing but headaches for drivers and businesses.
Pulling into the driveway, he cursed at the white van parked across the street.
“It’s to be expected. They’re calling Jonah a modern-day Ted Bundy.” She sighed. “Trust me, he was not that charming.”
He knew she’d meant it as a joke, but still, he took her hand in his. “I should have been there for you.”
“You were, when I needed you.” She tugged on his hand. “Let’s go in. I want to change and clean up before my mother gets here. Not to mention I have to mentally prepare for the visit.”
“Right, so… what you’re saying is you need a nap?” he joked, enjoying seeing a smile on her again.
“Maybe I’ll let you cuddle with me. If you’re good.”
“Oh, I can be good.” He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned over to kiss her before they headed inside.
That evening, he had a large pot of chili cooking on the stove and two loaves of bread heating in the oven. Mia walked down the stairs in a flowing skirt and a dark grey blouse. She was wearing combat boots and her nails were back to their normal black color, which made him smile. She looked like she was back in her own element. Like when he’d met her over a year ago.
“You look… amazing.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her closer to him, then kissed her.
“I did lose the bet.” She glanced down at the skirt and lifted it until he could see her legs.
“Damn,” he sighed. “Sexy as hell.” He kissed her again until they both heard the doorbell.
“I’ll get it,” he suggested, but she stopped him.
“No.” She took a deep breath, then nodded towards the ovens. “Don’t burn your buns,” she warned with a wink as she walked out of the room.
He listened as she greeted them at the front door. There was shuffling as they removed their coats and boots.
He pulled out the bread, turned the chili down, and wiped his hands clean while waiting for them to walk in.
Seeing Mia’s mother was like seeing a snapshot into the future. The woman was so like Mia that he wondered if people often mistook them for sisters.
Then his eyes moved over and landed on the man standing beside her. Steve Pence had been one of the first men he’d met in Helena.
Brian had been working at a dead-end job at a bar. The man had come in each night after his shift and tried to convince Brian to join the force.
One day, after a very bad night the evening before, Brian had taken him up on the offer and allowed him to set up testing.
“This is the Steve?” he asked Mia.
“Apparently.” She smiled.
“What the hell.” He held out a hand towards the man. “Mia didn’t tell me you were the Steve.”
“We wanted to keep it a surprise,” Steve said. He laughed when Brian brought him in for a hug.
“This is the man responsible for my career,” Brian told Mia. “Come on in.” He waved the couple into the living room. “Want a beer?” he asked Steve.
“You know what I like,” the man joked.
“I’m sorry.” He reached out his hand for Mia’s mother’s. “I’m Brian.” He shook her hand.
“It’s okay, Steve has told me so much about you,” Shelby said with a smile. The same smile Mia gave him daily.
“Wine?” he asked. “Mia’s got a bottle ready, I think.” He turned to her.
“Yes, thanks.” Mia motioned for them to sit while he disappeared into the kitchen to get the beer and wine.
When he came back, Mia was answering Steve’s questions about the house.
“Here you go.” He handed Steve a beer from one hand and Mia and her mother each a wine glass from the other. Sitting down beside Mia, he took a sip of his beer.
“Mia, are you going to tell us how you got that?” her mother asked, motioning to Mia’s eye.
For the most part, the dark bruising had disappeared around her eye, but still, the skin was a bright yellow and green, which she’d tried to cover up with makeup. But in the right light, such as sitting next to the Christmas tree, it was still visible.
Chapter 23
Mia wished that conversation could have waited until after dinner, but since her mother had asked, she glanced over at Brian.
“I was… attacked a couple of days ago.”
Her mother’s eyes judged her as she looked her up and down.
“Were you hurt bad?” she asked.
“No.” Mia wanted to play it down. “Just my pride. You know more than I that it comes with the job, sometimes.”
Brian took her hand
in his. She was thankful he allowed her to take the lead and tell her mother whatever she wanted and, more importantly, leave out what she didn’t want to.
“Tell me the guy’s locked up,” Steve broke in.
“Oh, he won’t be hurting anyone anymore,” Brian told them.
The room was silent. “Shit,” Steve broke in with a snap. “The serial killer?”
Mia’s heart skipped as Brian took her hand in his.
“Yes,” she admitted.
“You’re the one that was attacked?” Her mother’s voice rose slightly. It was the first emotion she’d seen from the woman ever. “You’re the one who killed him with a…”
“Hammer,” she supplied, her shoulders straight. “Yes.”
“My god.” Her mother set her wine glass down and, for a moment, Mia believed she was going to jump up and rush across the space to hug her, but then the look in her eyes changed to slight irritation. “Why didn’t you call me and tell me?”
It was just like old times. Her mother’s lack of emotions hit Mia like a ton of bricks. Instead of dealing with it, she set her wine down and walked out of the room without another word.
Stepping out onto the back deck, she wished she was a smoker so she had an excuse for being out there instead of just watching the snow fall.
When the door opened and shut behind her, she had expected to see Brian. Instead, Steve stepped out with a jacket in his hands.
The man could have easily passed as Daniel Craig’s double, minus the sexy accent. Even the suit he was wearing was very Bond-ish attire.
When he set the jacket lightly on her shoulders, she welcomed the warmth and fought back the urge to burst into tears.
She normally wouldn’t have had so many emotions on the surface, but it was shaping up to be an abnormal month.
“You okay?” Steve asked.
“Yes, thank you…” she started to say, but the man’s dark eyebrows shot up and she knew he wasn’t one who would take a casual lie.
“I’ve been in this business long enough to spot bullshit.” He leaned on the railing next to her and pulled out a cigarette pack from his pocket.