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I fold my arms across my chest. “Well, you certainly don’t. Are you going to do what I asked you to, or should I call the police, and tell them there’s been a home invasion?”

Oliver scoffs. “I think it’s highly unlikely anyone would buy that story given that I have a key.”

Luke shrugs. “Perhaps, but seeing as my uncle is the senior officer in town, he might need a very long interview to make sure he’s got all the facts.”

Oliver’s jaw drops open for a moment. Then he turns and heads for the door. “Fucking backwater town nepotism.” He pauses in the doorway. “Put some clothes on for fuck’s sake, and let’s sort this out like adults. Leave your muscle boy up here, or tell him to go home.”

He slams the door behind him and Luke spins me gently to face him with his hands on my shoulders. “Are you OK?”

I’m shaking a little, but I nod. “Just shocked. I’m so sorry—”

He cuts me off with a shake of his head. “Don’t be. It’s that dickhead who should be sorry. Want me to come with you?”

“No. Thank you. I think it’s better if I talk to him alone.”

He frowns, but I see him bite back his response. “OK, but if I hear anything I don’t like, I’m coming down and I may or may not put clothes on first.”

Despite everything, that makes me laugh. Luke presses a soft kiss to my lips. By the time I’ve found my shorts and his jumper, I’m feeling a little stronger and very certain about what I need to say to Oliver.

NINETEEN

Luke

Waiting at the top of those stairs while Mia deals with her shithead ex alone is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

I do it, though, because I trust my girl and I know she’s got this.

Doesn’t mean I don’t slam my fist into the wall to help me hold in my curse every time he tries to gaslight her. The guy’s a snake. Coming at her with an argument from every angle about how he’s the victim, and he came here to explain and work things out. How it hurts him to see her with a guy like me.

I wish I could see her face. I wish I could see her scowling at him or the stubborn set of her chin as she thinks of a clever response. She does so much better than I’d ever do. Eventually she gets sick of him and kicks him out. I’m surprised when Oliver agrees to leave, but he does. A minute later, I hear the front door close and Mia starts back up the stairs.

“Hey. Sorry.” She pauses a few steps from the top, looking up at me apologetically. I want to tell her not to apologise to me, but then she’ll only do it again.

“Come here.” I hold out my arms and she hurries up the last steps to bury her face against my chest. That feels good. Knowing she was just waiting for an invitation to let me hold her.

“I hope you told him to fuck off.” She didn’t. I know. I was listening, but I feel a little bad telling her that.

“I can’t. I’ll have to talk to him eventually, if only to sort out our apartment and all our stuff.”

I nod. That’s reasonable, of course. I’m the one being irrational here wishing she never had to deal with that asshole again.

“Thank you for not freaking out.” She pulls back to look up at me ruefully.

“What are you talking about?” I brush a hair from her cheek and tuck it behind her ear. “The only person freaking out here was him. Did you see the way he couldn’t stop looking at my dick? I bet he didn’t even realise they make them that large.”

This earns me a snort laugh and eases a lot of the tension around my chest.

“Your dick is pretty impressive.” Her smile is only half as bright as usual. I can tell it’s still getting to her.

“Come back to bed.”

She shakes her head. “I said I’d meet him for coffee. When we’ve both had a chance to cool down. I owe him that much.”

“You don’t owe him anything!”

She frowns, so I force myself to soften my tone.

“You don’t. Don’t take his shit. I was so proud of you for standing up to him. Don’t let him wear you down.”

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