Page 10 of Never and Always
“Nick.” She smacked him in his chestplayfully.
“I’m just messing. Of course you can come in; the storm is terrible, isn’tit?”
“I didn’tnotice.”
He laughed at her as she tried to act cool while she walkedin.
When the thunder rumbled again and lightning rippled through the sky she screamed, dropping the blanket, and came running back tohim.
“Did you notice it now?” he asked,laughing.
“Don’t laugh.” She clutched onto his shirt and looked up at him. “Okay, I confess I hate it. It’s worse when I’manxious.”
He took hold of her delicate shoulders, admiring the silky feel of her skin, and smiled at her. “It’s cool. Stay withme.”
“Thank you,” she replied. He released her. “I swear I won’t get in theway.”
“Babe, you aren’t in the way. This is your house, remember,” hechuckled.
“It’s not. You live here and I’m aguest.”
He shook his head at her. “Take the bed, make yourself comfortable, and get somesleep.”
She had to be tired. The stress alone from what had happened must have been getting toher.
“Thanks for being so nice tome.”
“Mia, you aren’t going to get any slack from me. Why don’t you get some sleep,” he offered. He’d most likely stay up all night anyway, but not in here. The last thing he needed was Glenn coming back drunk and pissed, and finding Mia in here, in Nick’sbed.
“I can’t, I can’t sleep. I haven’t been able to sleep properly since everything went to hell. And I sure can’t sleep now that Glenn’s not home. Where do you think he went?” She lookedworried.
It was better that Glenn stay away until he cooled off. Much better for all of them. Nick hated him getting mad at Mia the way he did, and the things he said sometimes were vile. If Nick had a sister he would never speak to her the way Glenn spoke to Mia. Angry or not, Glenn shouldn’t have basically called her a slut, and truth be told, if Glenn was someone else, Nick would have punchedhim.
“He needs time, Mia, trust me. It’s best he gets over his grief and comes back when he’s ready to actcivilized.”
Mia looked down with sadeyes.
“Hey.” He lightly brushed her cheek with his thumb and she returned her gaze to him. “We’ll get throughthis.”
“I don’t know how.” She shook her head. “I don’t see how. The police couldn’thelp.”
“I’m sure they’re doing whatever they can, but I was thinking I could do a thing or two of my own,” heoffered.
“Well if you mean tracking Alan down and hanging him over a bridge, then that would begreat.”
“I’m good to do that if you want.” It was definitely something he’d consider if he did get his hands on the dirt bag. “But I was thinking more along the lines of tracking him and trying to get some of your money back,” heoffered.
Her face brightened and her mouth dropped. “You can do that? How? How can you dothat?”
“New job. I started a private investigation firm. I thought I’d harness some of my investigative skills and apply it to civilian life. This is my kind ofcase.”
“Really Nick, that’s amazing. I can’t believe you do that. Why didn’t you saybefore?”
“You were too distressed to talk about it, and now you’re tootired.”
She might not think she was tired but she was. He’d need her to go into more details than she had shared earlier and it was verging onmidnight.
It would be best if they went down to the station, spoke to Sawyer, and brainstormed fromthere.
