Page 115 of Demitri

The brothers argue until Mia joins us, the keys looped around her finger, her eyes a little glassy from saying her farewells to the Shelby.

“Which of you overgrown apes gets the Shelby?”

Sebastian steps forward, smacking his hands back at his brothers. “That would be me, ma’am.”

“Before you get these keys, you need to know a few things.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“One, it’s Mia, not ma’am. Two, you will treat her with the respect you would give your mother. Take her out and treat her well. Spend some money on her. Make her feel loved and she’ll love you in return. And no matter what, you do not drive her drunk or on drugs. Ever. Understand? Because I will know. And I’ll kick your ass. I will be your worst fucking nightmare if you hurt that Shelby.”

My shoulders are shaking, and I have to bite my lips to not laugh. I’m pretty sure the stare-down she’s giving the man could put Joker’s glare to shame. The brothers are all trying to hold in their laugher, as well, and Sebastian looks properly chastised.

“I understand, Mia. I’ll make sure no harm comes to her.”

“And if you need someone to work on her, you will call no one else but John. When and if the time comes, and he’s no longer working on cars, he will decide who you go to next. And I don’t care that we’re over an hour away. You’re rich. Find a way.”

“I will.”

Mia hands him the keys, narrowing her eyes at him one more time, and I swear he visibly shrinks under her stare.

“Come on, hard ass. Let the guy play with his new car. Sarge is here.”

“Nice to meet you all.” Mia smiles and waves at the Workman brothers and turns to skip to Sarge’s truck.

“Fuck me. Does she have a sister?” I hear behind me.

Without looking back, I answer. “Nope. She’s one of a kind. And all mine. Enjoy the Shelby. I’m going to enjoy my life with my girl.”

I join Sarge and Mia in his truck, pulling her to my side as I wrap my arm around her, Sarge already laughing.

“This isn’t the way home. Where are we going?” Mia asks when we’ve been on the road about forty-five minutes.

“Need to make a pit stop if that’s alright with you?” Sarge asks from behind the wheel.

“Sure. Any good food places?”

“Boulder Canyon has a diner. Ms. Mable will take good care of you, but Rockton has the best pizza around.”

Sarge pulls up to the garage, and I already see her. She’s covered, on the back of a truck, ready for transport.

I get out of the truck and help Mia down. Sarge hands me the keys with a smile on his face.

“What’s going on?” Mia asks.

“I have a surprise for you,Krasotka.”

“What is it?”

“Yo, Tiny!” Sarge yells. “Pull the cover!”

The man in question steps from around the truck and pulls the cloth from the car on the back. A nineteen-sixty-seven Shelby. One in much worse shape than the mint baby we just delivered.

“Dem,” Mia whispers so only I can here. “What’s going on?”

“I got you something.”

“But you, but, what?”

---