Page 22 of Marking Mia

Mia sighs. “I can’t give you any right now.”

“Why not?” he demands.

“Because,” she responds slowly. “I just paid the rent. I’m flat broke. Why do you think I picked up an extra shift?”

I watch Justin, ready to jump in if his anger explodes. I can see it simmering beneath the surface. The clenched fist, the agitated motions. The guy is a powder keg.

“God, Mia. We’re barely getting by, and it’s because you can’t get a better job than this dump,” Justin says cruelly. “Flirting with every male you see. Such a fucking whore, aren’t you?”

I watch as Mia deflates. Apparently, Justin’s words cut her deep. Seeing her wilt like that makes me want to rip Justin’s head off and use it as a basketball.

“I told you, the job market is tough right now. Especially if you don’t have a degree.”

That she feels the need to explain herself to him gets under my skin. If she could only see her worth, she would realize what a waste of space this loser is.

“Well, you better come home with a big wad of tips today,” Justin says, his words dripping with malice. “Maybe I’ll forgive your flirting if you can do that.”

Mia flinches, and my heart wrenches in my chest. She’s afraid of him.

Why the fuck is she still with him?

Justin turns on his heel and stomps out of the cafe, flinging the door open so hard it bangs against the wall. In the aftermath of his temper tantrum, Mia looks defeated. She hangs her head, clearly embarrassed. But within a few moments, she wipes the look of shame from her face and gets back to work. It’s almost as if she's accustomed to this kind of treatment. She has learned to compartmentalize.

It breaks my damn heart and I pull out my phone and shoot a text to Jace.

I need you to keep an eye on Mia while I break into her apartment. Justin just stormed in here like an asshole, so I know he’s out of the home.

The response comes through moments later.

Jace

Was Justin violent with her?

No, the cafe is crowded. He wouldn’t dare do anything here.

But the moment he becomes violent, we’ll take care of it.

Jace

On my way.

I know Jace will stay true to his word, and he is easily the fastest of the three of us. He will be here soon enough. Ensuring that I leave a generous tip, I make my way out of the cafe, unable to see Mia anymore.

By the time I make it to the apartment, I’ve run off some of my anger and frustration. Now, I’m just focused on doing what I can to help Mia. Whatever it takes, I will get her out of this situation.

The security on these apartments is a joke. I am inside within seconds.

Once again, I am blown away by the scent of Mia. It lingers here. I breathe in that honey scent deeply and feel my body relax.

It’s time to get to work.

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long to scour the apartment. The place is the size of a glorified closet.

A pile of bills on the kitchen counter grabs my interest. Most of them have the word “overdue” stamped on them in red letters. The paper is creased and crumpled as if Mia has held and pored over them more than once. I can imagine her sitting here, trying to make the numbers work in her favor.

But there’s only so much she can pay for when she’s a part-time barista.

Without a moment’s doubt, I scoop up the delinquent bills and shove them into my pocket as a new, fierce determination rises in my chest. I will get her out of this nightmare. I want to see her safe and happy. I just have to convince Kane to help pay these off.

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