by Karen Deen
“Okay, that’s a good idea.” I push her name on my phone and wait for her to answer. On the second ring, I hear her voice and my heart rate settles a little. I can only see Jack and Kayla on the screen so was feeling nervous, but I didn’t want to tell Lex that.
“Hi, Mia, how’s the trip been so far?” Her chirpy voice seems a little over the top, but maybe she’s just trying to make sure I’m not worrying. I hate to tell her that’s not possible, but I can’t be snappy to her.
“Hi, Paige, yeah, okay so far. We’re almost there. How are the kids? I can see them playing in the living room. Have they had their afternoon sleep yet?” I can’t help it. I’m checking she’s following my schedule.
“Yes, they just got up actually. They went down a little later than usual because Gray and Tilly have been here, along with Tate and Bella. So, they’ve been playing. The girls have just left to get some food, and we are going to make dinner here. Jack is going to make dessert with Bella. Don’t panic, it’s something easy, but I will let him tell you. Do you want to talk to him?” I’m not sure how I feel about Jack being near the kitchen without me, but in the back of my head I keep hearing Lex’s voice, trust them like you trust me. They are your family.
“Please, if I can. I don’t want to upset him, but I need to hear his voice.” I’m honest with her, but I doubt I need to be worried.
“Mia, you can call a hundred times and I won’t care or be offended. Remember, we understand and think you are being so brave. Now hang on and I’ll take the phone to him.” I watch her appear on the screen and his eyes light up as she tells him it’s me.
“Mommy, guess what? We had McDonald’s, and I got a toy and tomorrow if I go to sleep tonight, Uncle Mason says I can pick what we have for breakfast. Even ice cream if I want it.” I can’t help but laugh. Trust Mason to take the bribery to the next level.
“Oh, did he now? Well, you better have a big sleep then. What else have you been doing since I left?” I look at Lex who can hear everything on loudspeaker. He’s laughing silently about the ice cream and mouthing the word ‘asshole’ to me.
“I colored all my pictures. Played cars with Fruncle Grayson and Fruncle Tate, but I won.”
“Oh, sweetie, it’s Uncle not Fruncle,” I say, correcting his mistake.
“No, Mommy, they told me to call them Fruncle.” His voice sounds very sure of himself.
Lex cuts in before I can answer. “That’s right, bud. They are your Fruncles, and you make sure you don’t let them win any of the games you play. Tell them I said you are the champion every time.” Lex is now mouthing at me he will explain later. I’m so confused but decide to run with it.
“I have to go, Mommy, Frauntie Bella and Frauntie Tilly are here and we’re making cookies for our dessert with the chocolate chips like you make.” Before I get time to say another word, I see him drop the phone in Paige’s hand and run out of the camera screen.
“Mia?” Her voice comes back on the phone.
“Yeah, we’re still here,” I answer.
“Sorry, he got excited about the cookies,” she tries to explain why he dumped me.
“It’s okay, the attention span of a four-year-old is about zero-point-three seconds, which you are probably learning this afternoon.”
“I’ll sleep well tonight, put it that way. I can handle twenty board members in a meeting, and that’s nothing like keeping up with Jack. I don’t know how you do it every day.”
“Because she’s a super woman. That’s how,” Lex comments from beside me.
“Hey, Lex. Are you driving safely and looking after my sister?” She’s joking, and of course Lex starts smiling. I know this answer will be the same as the question.
“If you don’t count the two cars I sideswiped, the truck I ran up the back of, and the flock of geese that shit so hard on the windscreen it shattered, then yeah, we’re doing great.”
“I swear, if I didn’t have little ears around me, I would tell you that you are d-i-c-k-h-e-a-d among other things.” Lex and I both burst out laughing. At the same time, the GPS in the car starts talking and I know we’re getting close and Lex needs to concentrate. “That sound’s my cue to leave you to it. Call anytime, otherwise we will call before bed so you can say good night. And don’t worry about them, sis, they’re doing great. Love you.”
“Thanks, Paige. I couldn’t do this without you. Love you too.” The call ends and I see her pick up Kayla and disappear off the screen.
My heart feels sad again, but that won’t change until I make it home again.
“You are doing great, baby. Just keep breathing and we will get through this.” Lex is doing his best to comfort me, but to be honest, a cuddle would be better. Guess I have to wait until we get there for that.
“By the way, what the hell is a fruncle and frauntie?”
“Well, you think Jack has personality, wait until you meet Daisy. Since we are all framily then she decided we are fruncles and fraunties. It’s kinda cute when you think about it. Something unique to our special little group.”
“It’s just perfect. Like all of you.” Squeezing his hand is the closest I can get to touching him, so it will have to do for now.
“In five hundred feet you have reached your destination,” the GPS system announces. Which makes me shiver all over.
This is the first time I’ve set foot back in my hometown since the night I ran.
I didn’t live in this good part of town, but it’s still close.
But looking up, this is far from the apartment block I lived in.
Instead, I see the beautiful Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette. It’s a place I’ve only ever driven past on the public bus.
I won’t fit in here. This is so far out of my league.
Feeling frozen in my seat, I don’t know if I can do this.
I sense the door open next to me, and Lex’s hand take mine.
His voice is soft in my ear. “I’ve got you, Mia. You can do this. Remember, you are doing this for the kids.”
And just like that my legs move, and I step from the car to take the next step in facing my demons.
Chapter Twenty-Two
MIA
Walking towards the front desk, I’m in complete awe of everything. From the moment I stepped out of the car and there was a concierge there to take our bags and have the car parked. I knew then I was in another world to anything I have ever known
Everything looks so expensive and lush. The front desk is a mixture of gold and brown with the lighting set perfectly to show the class of the place. Standing behind it are a woman and a man ready to greet us. Above their heads is a chandelier that runs the full length of the room. It’s like there’s a waterfall of glass raining down on them. The cost of that light is probably some crazy amount that I would faint over.
“Mia, just wait here with Ashton. I won’t be long. Okay?”
Lex speaking has me snapping out of my fascination of where I’m standing. “Umm, okay.” He continues on to the counter, and I feel Ashton’s presence next to me.
“You alright, Mia?” he asks quietly.
“A little freaked out, I don’t fit here,” I whisper.
“Now that’s where you’re wrong. You belong anywhere you want to be. Only you get to decide that. No one else.”
“I’ve never been somewhere like this.” As usual with me, when I’m worried my words just keep coming.
“Then enjoy this. I’ve got an idea it won’t be the last time you’ll visit a hotel with Lex, or Paige, for that matter.”
“They belong here, though. I don’t.”
“Bullshit. I won’t accept that, and if Lex heard it, he wouldn’t either.” But before we can debate it any further, Lex is back from getting the room keys looking a little bit nervous.
“Yeah, let’s go and get settled in. I’ll show you where we’re staying.” Noticing my expression, it has him reaching his arm around me as we walk towards the elevator.
“You’ll love it here. It’s even
got a big bath you can try out.”
I know he’s trying to help, but that’s the last thing on my mind right now.
“What floor?” Ashton asks as the doors are closing in front of us.
“Top one, eleventh floor.”
“Of course,” Ashton replies with a chuckle.
“What?” Lex asks, looking like he has no clue why Ashton is laughing.
“Nothing, fancy boy.” He rolls his eyes at Lex.
“If we have to stay the night, then I’m getting the best room I can for Mia. She deserves it.” Lex pulls me closer to make sure he’s still comforting me. “I can downgrade your room, though, if you like, smartass, to I don’t know, perhaps the basement.” There’s something about Ashton that ruffles Lex’s feathers.
“No can do, boss. Need to be near the pretty lady at all times. Looks like you’re stuck with me close by, for the rest of the trip.”
Lex is almost growling at Ashton. If I didn’t feel so freaked out by my unfamiliar surroundings, I would be laughing at these two.
Arriving on our floor, we stop at the first door.
“This is your room, Ashton. Here’s the key. We will be next door. I’ll text you once we’ve settled in.” Lex then places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me farther along the hallway. I can’t stop looking around at the building. Everything is old world. Lush cream and brown, gold, and the soft furnishings just ooze class. Even the carpet in the hallway is thick and plush.
“This is us.” We stop at the next door on the left of the corridor. Room 1102.
Holding the door open for me, Lex guides me inside.
Standing still, I just try to take it all in. This can’t be my room. It’s so pretty. I’m almost scared to touch anything in case I mark it or break it. I feel like a child again in a shop where you knew you weren’t allowed to touch anything just in case.
In front of me is a round table with four chairs, all a plum velvet and a high-back chair to match. The couch is a cream velvet with the same plum-colored cushions. Lex isn’t saying much, just letting me wander the room to check everything out. The farther I get into the room, I see a door that goes through to the bedroom. At the same time there is a knock at the suite door with the bellhop calling out to announce he has our bags.
“I’ll just grab the bags,” Lex says from behind me as I walk towards the open bedroom door.
Sheer panic runs through my body.
“Lex,” my voice shakily calls him.
“Mia, what’s wrong?” I hear him come rushing to me.
Standing at the end of the bed, I’m struggling. “There is only one bed. Do you have another room?” Maybe there has been a mistake, and Lex is staying with Ashton.
“It’s okay, please don’t panic. This is your bed. I’m sleeping on the sofa bed out there. They didn’t have any two-bedroom suites so this was the best Greta could do for us. No matter what, I wasn’t leaving you in a room on your own. And over my dead body were you staying in a room with Ashton.”
“No, Lex, I’ll sleep on the couch. I’m smaller, plus you’re paying for the room, you should get the bed.” I’m racing with my words but try to slow myself down. I don’t care which bed I’m on, I just don’t think I’m ready for that yet. No matter how much I dream about it at night.
“No way in hell are you sleeping on that sofa bed. I didn’t ask Greta to book the best hotel she could find, for you to spend the night not sleeping in a big fluffy bed. Plus, you need your strength for tomorrow, so I won’t hear another word about it.” He walks in past me to put my bag on the luggage stand.
“What is it about you and sleeping on couches around me? How many nights have you slept in a bed since we met, Lex?”
There is no hesitation as he answers straight away. “Three, and that’s three too many. God, Mia, I don’t give a shit where I sleep as long as I’m near you. It’s as simple as that.” Standing in front of me, he puts his hands on my shoulders and gives them a gentle squeeze. “I need to know you’re safe, baby. I’m sorry if that freaks you out, but I feel this pull towards you that I can’t explain. So, I hope it’s okay if I’m here in the same room so I can see you.” The last part comes out as a whisper. This big, strong man is never afraid to show me his softer side, and I can’t turn him away.
“Okay, but know that I’m not happy, and if I could, I’d do something about it. But this time I just have to suck it up and accept it, don’t I?”
Trying not to laugh at me, he nods his head. Then leans forward and kisses me ever so sweetly on the lips. I need more. Taking the step to him, I circle my arms around his waist and hang on tight.
He now wraps me in his arms.
I bury my head into his chest and smell everything that is Lex.
My safe place.
LEX
I’m so fucking stupid.
I should have told her that before we got here. But she totally threw me in the car, when she got me talking. I forgot all the things that I wanted to say to her. Now I’ve just added to her stress.
“Why don’t you lie down, relax, and test out the bed. Tell me how fluffy it is. I need to call Ashton to check everything is okay with his room. I’ll be back.” Sitting her gently down on the edge of the bed, I pull my phone out of my pocket as I walk back through to the little living room, closing the bedroom door behind me.
“Hey, man, everything as it should be?” Ashton knows I’m not asking about his room at all. To be honest, as long as he has a bed and a bathroom then he’s set. Guys need so much less than a woman. We travel light and keep things simple.
“Yeah, Mason and Ronan are about fifteen minutes away. I’ll let you know when they’re here, and you can break the news to Mia. Then let’s get this shit done so we can relax for the rest of the night. There’s a nice beer in my mini bar that has my name on it.”
“You shouldn’t be drinking on the job!” I snap at him. It’s not really anything to do with Ashton, I’m just getting worked up about paying a visit to Edward.
“Yeah, and you shouldn’t be fucking your client, so we’re even.”
“I’m not,” is all I can say because he took me by surprise.
“Not yet, but it’s coming. I’m telling you now, don’t you hurt her, or you’ll have me to answer to.” Ashton is putting the big tough alpha hero voice on.
“Fuck off, Ashton. As if I would. Plus, you can stand in line behind Mason and Paige for that matter. Just remember what your role is here; to protect her, not hit on her.”
“Man, you are such an idiot. Mia doesn’t see another soul when you’re in the room. Lex, she only ever sees you. So back off me. I don’t want your girlfriend. Do I like her? Yeah, she’s a great lady, a good friend. Do I want to fuck her? Not a chance, she’s not even close to my type, and I wouldn’t know how to care for her. Yet you two are perfect together, we all see it. So, don’t fuck this up, Lex. Now, can you stop with the whole macho man at me every time I look at her. I’m doing my job, being her friend and yours, if you’ll let me. She trusts me, man, I just need you to also. Then we can keep her safe.” I didn’t understand how rude I was being to him.
Letting out a breath, I roll my shoulders to try to release some tension.
“Sorry, Ashton. I don’t know why I’ve been such a jerk. I’ve never had someone like her in my life, and I have this incredible need to keep her safe and not lose her. She’s it for me, man, and like you said, I can’t afford to fuck this up.”
“Well, then don’t. Let’s do this together. You keep your girl, and I gain two friends. Deal?”
“Deal. Just don’t be asking to be best man at the wedding, okay?”
“Buddy, they don’t even make suits big enough to get across my shoulders. So, unless you’re getting married on a beach in tank tops, I’m out. But heads up, let’s get her divorced first, before we go planning that tropical beach ceremony.”
“Thanks, man, for giving me the space to make a dick of myself and not holding judgement. I do appreciate it.
” I pace the room, quietly watching the clock. “We’re lucky to have you.”
“Damn right you are. But don’t worry, I respect any man who is prepared to fight for his girl, treat her right, and take on any man who thinks otherwise of her. Even if they are twice his size and ten times stronger.”
“Shut up, you idiot. I pack a mean punch when I need to.”
“Oh yeah, and when’s that, tough boy?” Ashton’s now laughing at me.
“When I hit the punching bag at the gym. Let’s hope I don’t need to test it out today.”
“Remember the plan, we’re just talking, getting him to sign, and walking away. Otherwise I’ll be practicing my punching skills on your nose. Got it?”
“Loud and clear. Message when we’re ready to go.” I hang up and think it over to myself. Ashton standing up to me and pushing me to get my head out of my ass was just what I needed. My head is now clearer, and I know what I need to do.
Opening the door to the bedroom slowly so not to startle her, I find Mia lying on the bed, curled up in a ball. Her eyes closed, and quietly singing to herself again. It seems to be her go-to when she needs to calm her brain.
Just standing listening to her angelic voice, I can’t make out the song. It isn’t one I’ve heard before
The search has always been for that place for me
Deep inside my soul, where only you can see
But even then, no one knows the real me
It’s so hard for me to see, who I’m meant to be…
Her eyes opening a little, she startles as she sees me watching and listening to her. I walk to her and sit on the bed beside my beautiful, gentle soul.
“You have the most beautiful voice, Mia. I love to hear you sing,” I say, sweeping her hair out of her face.
“Wait what, when have you heard me?” Sitting up in a hurry she nearly knocks me off the bed.
