When she enters a room, I feel so strung up that just the sway of her hips makes me want to grab her and pin her up against the wall.
I won’t lie, I’ve fucked her and have had my way with her a million times in my head, and I swear when she holds my stare at times, I can see that she’s done the same thing too.
The other day, we stood so close to each other out on the beach when we both knew there was enough space around us, we could occupy separately. Everything now is a matter of time.
Liam watches us with a smirk on his face every day now because he fucking knows I’m fucked. I’m burning up and it’s making me hellish.
“Where’s Mom’s new house?” I question Liam and he shakes his head.
“Shit, I forgot to ask her.”
“So, you’re hosting a party tonight and you don’t even know where the house is?” Mia scoffs, grabbing a water from the fridge. Today she’s dressed in some skimpy shorts and a bikini top, her hair in a messy bun, barefoot. She’s a lazy, troubled mess but that doesn’t lessen my need for her.
“What?” Liam shrugs. “It’s not like Courtney Mason-Fitzgerald would ever buy a shitty house. She’s too sophisticated for that.”
“Yeah, sophisticated enough to destroy people, I got that memo.” Mia murmurs, her voice thick with emotion.
She tries to act like she’s unaffected, but she is. She tries to act cold, like what they call her, but she’s none of that. She checks her phone a billion times a day, hoping that her asshole of a father—or whoever he is now to her—would call.
He never does.
She ignores Nicky like the plague and she’s now too damn emotional and distraught that John’s worried about her. He was never worried about Mom or Aiden, only how they affected his bank. Asshole.
“Have you talked to her?” Liam starts.
“Who is ‘her’?” Mia stares him dead in the eye, her nostrils flaring. Liam glances at me, we both know that she knows who he’s talking about.
“She’s been asking for you.”
“I’m unavailable,” she mumbles, then looks away. She’s been dancing way more, spends more time at her old house than before. She hardly goes to school, but I’m not worried about that. The girl’s super smart, she should already be in college by now.
“Cupcake,” Liam starts, then shakes his head like he’s disappointed. “I know you’re mad but see… time is a crappy thing.”
Clenching my jaw, I walk out of the kitchen. I can’t take the growing warmth or whatever bullshit is happening between the two of them. It’s nauseating, which doesn’t help the fact that lately I’ve been feeling Aiden’s ghost in the house. Everywhere I go, I feel like he’s there. I can hardly sleep. Can hardly rest or function like a normal human being.
There’s just too much history in this damn house. Too much happened here that I can’t wait to get the hell out.
“Leave him be, cupcake.”
“But is he alright?” I can hear her ask, her eyes on my back.
“Aiden.” Is all Liam says, then I drown out their voices. For all I know, her concern might be fake, but it doesn’t lessen my need for it.
Going down the south wing of the house, I go in search of John. If there’s anyone who knows what Mom’s up to, it’s him. He’s been keeping tabs on everything she does since they separated. Which means, he knew that she was digging about Nicky’s life.
So, he knew about Mia and that she was Nicky’s biological daughter.
I knock on his fucking door, just for courtesy’s fucking sake but. I don’t get a response. Pushing on the door, I find the office empty. I should turn around and leave but for some reason I step in anyway.
Walking over to his huge mahogany desk, driven by a curiosity I can’t explain, I open the top drawer. It’s full of work papers. The second has stationary and the third has more files and papers from work. But the fourth drawer catches my eye.
On top of the files in this one, there’s the newspaper article…an article I know all too well because I’ve read it so often, I have each word memorized in my damn head. Taking it out, I see where the newspaper is coming from. A file with a name scrawled on top by John’s handwriting.
Nathan Montague.
I tense up as I read it. Feeling the dread in the my gut, I force it and then I open the file.
There are surveillance images of Mia’ when we met, on that very day. There’s another of her leaving with her obviously sick mother. Then there’s the image of Nathan rushing from the airport. As I look at them, I recognize the date. It’s when Mia and I kissed then she talked to those goddamn reporters.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
I flip through the rest of the images. Most of them are of Nathan and Nancy, then they morph into images of Nicky. Now, these are different. These are more personal as each one is Dad’s new mommy wanna-be with a different man.
It’s like, he had her watched for a long time, but why?
Skipping the pictures, I get to the papers underneath. There’s Mia’s birth certificate. But right beneath that, there’s a detailed report of Mia’s birth. It looks like John hired a private investigator for this because it talks about how Mia’s grandmother chased Nicky out of her house. Nathan and Nancy were married that same year.
As I read on, I notice that all the information focuses on Nathan. Whatever move he’s ever made, each case he ever picked up. There’s even a full, detailed client list that Nathan has worked with. Contacts reaching beyond the American boarders and all of them are marked with red, like a hit list or something.
There are details of the law firms he’s worked for. One in New York, another in Chicago then one in L.A, Stevens & Merc law firm.
“You know how my uncle’s is a lawyer at Steven & Merc right…”
I remember the shit Casey said weeks ago about Nathan. With an urgency and a sense of foreboding bearing down on me, I flip through the papers faster. I see dates of meetings, then underneath there’s a word written in John’s handwriting; ‘HANDLED.’
“…Nathan Montague was blackballed. Apparently, he couldn’t get any work in Cali for the past few years…”
Holy shit.
I grab the photos again and I see Mia and Nathan laughing together. She’s wearing her ballet leotard, her eyes so bright and alive, my chest tightens on a breath I can’t release.
Then there’s Nancy’s medical records that show she was diagnosed with ALS more than three years ago. And now, she only has a little over two months left to live.
The fucked up thing is, Mia probably doesn’t even know and right now, she can’t stand to be in the same room as Nancy.
This summer’s going to fucking hurt her like nothing in this world.
I gather all the papers scattered on his desk then pack them back into the folder, but I don’t put the damn thing back in the drawer. Instead, I make sure to leave it on top of his desk. I want the asshole to know that I know what he’s been up to all these years.
My dad’s the reason why Mia’s been suffering all this time, caring for a woman who lied to her all her life. It’s a burden that I don’t even know what to do with it. Do I tell her? That will just break her further which would be stupid. Liam’s been scrambling all week to care for her, bringing her food, hanging out with her, trying to make her interested in life more.
Then there’s me, checking in on her at midnight like a fucking stalker.
Fuck, I don’t even know what to do here.
Closing the damn drawer, I suddenly hear loud voices like someone’s screaming. I run to the kitchen only to stop in my tracks when I notice Nicky crying.
Mia’s just standing there looking at her shoes like they’re interesting, her fists clenched. John is practically fuming, his jaw locked but Liam…
“You’re not our mother and honestly, you’re not even hers, so don’t stand there and try to tell her what to do.”
Quickly assessing the situation, I keep my mouth shut, waiting for Nicky to respond.
“Well, I’m not talking to you,” Nicky hiccups, then glances at Mia. “Sweetheart, please let me talk to you. You’ve been avoiding me all week.”
“That’s because she doesn’t have anything to say to you,” Liam counters, a smirk on his face. He notices me standing behind Nicky and John but doesn’t alert anyone of my presence.
“Liam, stop being rude,” Dad chides but his voice is weary.
“Come on, Dad. No one’s being rude here,” he shrugs. “I’m just stating the truth.”
“Mia.”
“What?” she finally snaps, looking up, her eyes cold and empty like she’s lifeless. Nicky gasps when she sees the look in her eyes.
“Honey, you’re going to let him speak for you?” she questions, stepping forward. “Is that how you’re doing things now?”
Liam looks at me before narrowing his eyes on Nicky.
“What do you mean by that, Step-mommy?” he mocks, his voice low as he walks over to stand right beside Mia. “We’re all family here. Family looks out for each other.”
“Mia, what’s going on here?” Nicky stutters, glancing at her fiancé who just stands there, silently watching Liam.
“I don’t know, honestly.” Mia shrugs, her gaze connecting with her aunt/birth mother like she’s looking at a complete stranger. “You just accused me of letting a guy speak for me like I’m stupid, so I don’t know what’s happening.”
“I didn’t say that at all,” she scrambles to explain. “Are you two friends now? Is that it? Are you so mad at me that you’re looking for solace from just about anyone?”
Liam chuckles, but doesn’t say anything.
“Because I remember you never wanted to come here, sweetheart,” Nicky explains. “And I thought you hated them.”
“Nicky, Nicky, Nicky,” Liam belts out like he’s on a fucking Broadway stage for amateurs. “The daughter you threw away could be friends with the devil himself before she ever forgives you for what you did.”
“I’m not her daughter.” Mia states, matter-of-factly.
“Ouch!” Liam cringes with a smirk on his face.
“Mia.” Nicky starts crying. “Please, let me talk to you.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” Mia says then she looks up and sees me. I notice the tension leaving her body as she holds my gaze.
“But you’re friends with them now? You hate them!” Nicky shrieks “I know a lot has happened but don’t make a rash decision...”
“Rash decisions?” Mia mocks. “Like what, Nicky? Kissing Liam? Fucking Julian?”
“What?” Nicky shrieks. “That’s a bad joke, Mia.”
I see the defiance in her eyes when she struts over to me, her hips swaying seductively like she was born to keep my damn cock hard and ready for her. I watch her approach, seeing the dare in her eyes and I dare not look away from her. This is what she needs right now, to be a fucking rebel without a cause and I’ll gladly accommodate her needs.
But what she does next stuns me into a silent fury.
She steps so close to me, then on her tip toes, she wraps her arms around my neck.
“Mia!”
And presses her lips to mine, kissing me like her life depends on it.
“Mia, stop that!”
My blood starts simmering, then it starts boiling when she pulls back, eyeing me like I’m about to fucking attack.
She’s able to discern my moods like no one else, this girl and right now, I’m so fucking mad at her I don’t even know what to say.
“Holy shit!” Liam whistles then starts laughing. “Hot damn.”
“Oh my God, John! Do something.”
I can feel John’s heated stare on me, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he turns on his heel and leaves. I know exactly where he’s going, and I know what he’ll find there.
“Jesus, Mia.” Nicky cries. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Absolutely nothing, Nicky,” Mia says, batting her eyelashes. “Maybe I just wanted to show you that you’re nothing to me, let alone the boss of me. I don’t take orders or direction from you.”
Knowing that she’s in fucking trouble, she doesn’t even bother looking at me when she makes her escape. But before I can go after her, John comes back…with two cops behind him, a thunderous look on his face.
31
“Boys,” Dad starts, holding my gaze as the cops follow behind. “These fine detectives would like to ask you a few questions.”
I glance at my brother, noticing the question in his eyes. This is about to be fucked. We have detectives on our ass.
With a small nod, he turns back to our dad—and the rest of the audience with a ready smirk on his face.
“Father!” Liam exclaims dramatically, his voice dripping with sarcasm and mockery. “Are they here to take me away for illegally downloading music and movies?”
Dad narrows his eyes at him but doesn’t say anything out of turn—for the benefit of our audience of course. “Liam, I’d allow them to lock you away for wetting your bed, if that’s possible.”
The two cops glance at each other, holding in their laughter, but I know this isn’t a social call. One of them is short with a poor execution of a Sherlock Holmes moustache, and a classic too-many-donuts potbelly. While the other is tall, lanky and obviously came in looking like he volunteered to be the bad cop.
“Dad, you wound me.” Liam clutches his chest. “I haven’t wet my bed this week. So sorry to waste your time with all this, officers.”
“It’s detectives,” the taller of the two gruffly says as he steps forward, trying his hardest to glare but he just looks like he’s constipated. “Mr. Fitzgerald, we’re here because there’s been more information that’s turned about concerning your accident from a few weeks ago. We’d like to ask you more questions.”
His voice is low and direct, his gaze sharp and inquisitive, looking around the mansion like he can see the skeletons and secrets riddled all over the place. He turns to look at me. Straightening up, I hold his gaze.
“More information?” Dad starts. “What kind of information is that?”
“We apologize for showing up unannounced like this, Mr. Fitzgerald,” detective potbelly starts as he steps forward, his little notebook in hand. “But this can’t wait.”
“Here I am, officer.” Liam jokes.
“We’re detectives, Mr. Fitzgerald.” The detective Stoic interrupts.
“Of course!” Liam chuckles. “Where are my manners? How can I help you, detectives?”
“We just want to collaborate your statement, the one you gave when you were in the hospital,” detective potbelly starts. “You were under the influence of pain medication that entire week, but I’m sure you’re up for some further questions now?”
It’s then that I realize that these officers are investigating something more than just my brother’s ‘accident’. They are looking for something else. Something that reeks of illegal shit. And since the police in this damn town have been after my family for years, they think they’ve finally found something.
We’ve never been illegal. John—bless the old fool’s fucking broken morals when it comes to women and his fucked up marriage—runs a clean business.
A fucking long time ago, the Fitzgeralds were involved in some crazy shit that started in Westbrook Blues, but from what I understand, it all ended with Dad’s grandfather. But some families where burned severely when that happened. One of them were the Matthews…
“Of course.” Liam smirks, glancing at me briefly, that mischievous glint back in his eyes. “I’m all clear of drugs.”
The officer doesn’t smile. He looks down at his note pad and starts reading.
“The Saturday night of the accident, you said you were driving from one of your friend’s house when your car seemed to—”
“Malfunction.” Liam finishes that, making the officer look up at him, frowning.
“Yes, malfunction,” he grumpily agrees. “You also said you weren’t sure what was wrong
with the car, but it seemed like there was something—”
“Off about the way it moved and sounded.” Liam grins. “Yes, I remember my statement well, Detective. I wasn’t so out of it as you state.”
Both the officers stare at my brother, unamused.
“We’re trying to do our job as best as we can, Mr. Fitzgerald.”
“I understand that, but I’m confused,” Liam states. “Why do you need to collaborate my statement?”
The officers look at each other, then they look at John and Nicky.
“Mr. Fitzgerald, we have reason to believe that your accident wasn’t really an accident.”
Standing up straight, all eyes shift to look at me, but I don’t say a word, watching the detectives. Liam lets out a little chuckle.
“Okay, what does that mean?” he questions.
We both know what it means, but why are the police here and asking about it? That’s another thing all together. Something’s wrong here, so fucking wrong.
“It means that we believe the car you were driving—which is registered to your brother—was tampered with,” Detective potbelly says.
“What?” John exclaims, a bewildered look on his face. “What do you mean by that?”
“Sir, there’s no better way of saying this but we believe that someone tried to kill your son, sir.”
John looks at me, but I ignore him, watching the detectives instead.
“Whoa, whoa, detectives,” Liam steps in. “I think you have this all mixed up.”
“I assure you, Mr. Fitzgerald, we take these matters seriously in Palos Verdes.”
“I appreciate that, but how can my brother’s faulty car, which has had several engine failures in the past and had been cooped up in the garage for a few weeks before that Saturday; how could that car have been tampered with?”
“You seem like you know cars well, Mr. Fitzgerald,” Detective stoic says.
And there it is.
Liam doesn’t miss a beat though.
“Well, when you spend time with those throaty beasts, you learn to admire the way they look, their sensual body of art, the way they move, the way they work.”
Devious Kisses: A Bully Enemies -To-Lovers Romance (It's Just High School Book 1) Page 37
