Page 38 of Bound By Flames
“Fuck, Mia,” he curses, rushing toward me but I get out of my haze, stumble and get up as quickly as I can and run toward our room. Ares doesn’t even have the time to get to me before I lock our door.
“Mia, open this door.” His tone is serious and commanding, surely the one he usually uses with his men. I don’t say anything, struck by the sight of Carolina’s nakedness and also by the reaction I had. I shouldn’t have cared about what happened downstairs. I really shouldn’t have. And yet, when I saw it, it felt like a million daggers piercing my heart, each sinking deeper as I witnessed my husband’s betrayal unfold right before my eyes. I step back into the room until my gaze reaches the mirror facing our bed.
You did it, Mia.
You fell for the bastard.
You made a mess.
Now how the hell are you going to deal with it?
Ares
Maria called me today, which was too fucking unusual for me to not pick up. She said Mia looked tired and sad. I’ve never cared about anyone’s feelings but knowing that my wife isn’t smiling and snapping at me with her usual wit doesn’t sit right with me. She’s still mad at me, but sad? Nah, that won’t do.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, gather the last contracts we’ve signed with the Mexican Cartel, take my Glock in my holster, and get out of the club. It’s six, way too fucking early to be home. I never get there this soon, actually.
Married to my work, that’s what Vox always says.
Well, married to Mia is more accurate now.
I spent the whole drive thinking about her. About what I should do to make her smile again. I took a chance on marrying the girl, but my guts rarely deceive me, and honestly, even with the whole attitude and panic attacks, I know I’m in fucking deep. I kind of like those things about her actually. Not the panic attacks, I mean. I’ve been working on finding a specialist to work with her on that. Doc told me the guy was the fucking best in his field and I wouldn’t want anything less for my little tornado. Hell, I’ll even come with her to her appointments if she wants me to.
I know I’m falling hard for the girl but why would I even deny it when it’s the fucking truth? It’s hard to get past the last woman before her, not because I fell for her too, but because the bitter taste of betrayal still lingers in my mouth. I get that Mia isn’t like her, especially since I saw how vulnerable she is when she’s with me compared to the perfect façade she displays for others. I can only assume she does that ‘cause she learned to adapt when she lived in her home in Chicago with her fucking neglectful parents. In a way, her being sassy with me is the biggest compliment she could ever give me. It means she knows I’ll never try to hurt her like her parents did. Means she’s safe to be herself around me.
I don’t want to repeat the past, yet I don’t fucking know how. Mia’s different. She’s a firework but I don’t know if she could fall for a control freak like me. And I don’t even know if I could trust her fully, or if I would always expect her to betray me one way or another.
I’m thirty-two, head of a massive MC club, feared by so many, and yet, this tiny redhead is rocking my world more than anything ever has. Vox was right, she’s my match.
I want her.
Not just now.
I want to keep her.
Always.
And I will, but it won’t be a fucking happy ending if she doesn’t want me back too.
Parking inside my garage beside other bikes, I remove my helmet and rush to the entryway, eager to find my woman. I’ve never been known to be the one who cheers up people. I guess it’s fair for someone with a psychotic reputation but I’ll do it for her if she needs me too. Perhaps I can buy her more wool or fucking needles to do the crochet stuff she likes to do in bed at night. I reach the door and an out-of-breath Maria greets me.
What’s wrong?
“Sir, I’m so sorry. There’s a lady waiting for you in the—”
I frown. “How did she get in?” My right hand instinctively grabs my gun in my holster. The whole house is protected by the Raven Sons. I have men making turns all around my property days and nights, and I added a few more since Mia moved in. Nobody can enter unless they’ve been invited or are family.
“It’s the lady from the other night, she said she had forgotten her jacket, she, um, she insisted on waiting for you,” she says, her hands trembling.
Fuck.
What is my sister’s friend doing here?
Can’t she take a fucking hint?
I nod once. “It’s alright for this time, Maria. But no more surprise visitors from now on,” I command her with no anger‘cause she’s a good housekeeper, and knowing Carolina, I bet she couldn’t find a way to get rid of her.
“Yes, sir.” She nods, embarrassment painted on her face.
