Page 94 of Demitri

“And drugs, women, goods.”

“Fuck.”

She leans back, looking around me, trying to see how bad the inside is. I don’t want her to go in. Even if the damage is minimal, I want to protect her from all of it.

“Mia,” I whisper. “I’m so fucking sorry this happened. Everything bad keeps happening, and it’s all my fault.”

“How can you say that? None of this is your fault, Demitri!”

“But it is. If I weren’t here?—”

“Your father would have still slept with the maids and had children you didn’t know about. He would have still been an evil man, running an empire of illegal operations. I would have still been a target for that woman because she wants something from me. She would have done this even if you weren’t here. But you are here. I have you to lean on. You to love me.”

“I do, you know.” I shrug. “I love you. Every part.”

“I love you, too. Now, suck it up and realize this isn’t all on you, not even a little bit.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nod.

“Good. See how easy things are when you listen to me?”

I shake my head and kiss her in a very not safe for outside in public way, but she comes willingly. No more running from me, no more avoiding my touch. No more. And this is just us. A declaration of love in its simplicity. No over-the-top antics to go with it, just us, standing in the middle of a parking lot. And her giving me shit immediately after. I love this woman.

“The guys will be here in an hour, and Sammy is sending some of his cop friends. They said to tell you they are ‘good ones’ to ease your mind.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “Just because Brett was an asshole cop and his dad ran a corrupted department doesn’tmean I think all cops are bad, Demitri. I rely on them all the time with the bar, and they keep me safe. I know all the guys and gals on Rock Hill’s PD. I’d trust all of them to do me right.”

“That’s good to know for the future, I guess.”

Still smiling, she reaches into my pocket and pulls out my phone. “Go ahead and text the guys that I’m alright with cops coming. They need to anyway. Insurance.”

“Damnit, that’s what Daniel said.” I take the phone from her and text the guys that cops are alright. I hate being wrong, especially to him, but I suck it up and do it for her.

The gang pulls into the lot less than an hour later. The cops are here, talking with Mia. We’re still standing outside. None of us have gone in yet, almost as if the cops were waiting for them to get here.

“Have you gone in yet?” Daniel asks, joining our little circle.

“No, sir,” one of the officers answers. “We were getting some basic information from Ms. Alexander.”

“Good. It alright if I send a man in with you when do you finally go?”

“If Ms. Alexander is alright with it, I don’t see a problem.”

“Thanks.” Daniel nods our way and goes to talk to Joker about whatever he’s got up his sleeve.

We’re answering the last few questions when the girls show up.

“Oh, my God, Mia.” Grace walks up to us, tears in her eyes, looking at the building. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I wasn’t here when it happened.”

“Thank goodness,” Sofie adds.

“What can we do to help?” Nola asks.

“Nothing right now. We’re getting ready to go see how bad it is.”

“Let us know what you need. We’re here for you.”

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