Until Talon (Until Him 4)

I hear a giggle come from someone and fight back a smile of my own, because only Mia would want to make sure my family doesn’t think she’s rude, even after getting the phone call she just got. “Come on, honey,” my mom says, taking her hand.

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I assure her when she locks on to me like she doesn’t want to let go.

“Okay,” she nods and lets go of my hand.

I don’t wait to watch my mom and the girls walk her across the yard to the side gate that leads to the driveway where my Jeep is parked. Instead, I head toward the house.

“Do you think the break-in at her place and our property are connected?” I ask, looking around at the men who followed me inside as I stop in the dining room, where the dogs are asleep under the table.

“I don’t think you’ll know the answer to that until we find out who’s responsible for the break-in on your property and if they have a suspect for what happened at her place,” Jax says after talking with Cobi and doing some investigating of his own.

“I’m gonna just say two break-ins only weeks apart is too much of a coincidence for me,” Bax chimes in, running his fingers through his hair before pointing at me. “I told you.”

“Here we fucking go,” Sage mutters, crossing his arms over his chest. “Keep your conspiracy theories to yourself, man. They aren’t helping anyone right now.”

“Jesus, it’s like you all forget the minute the drama is over what went down with the women you’ve fallen in love with.” Bax shakes his head. “All I’m saying is it’s connected, so either someone has it out for Mia or you.” He points at me. “So you both need to do some soul searching and figure out who the fuck you pissed off.”

Not having time to get into it with him right now, I bend down and call both dogs until they lift their heads, and then I stand and pat my thigh. It takes a minute for them to wiggle out from under the table, and when they do, I look at my dad, who rests his hand on my bicep. “Call. Let us know what’s going on or if you need us.”

“I will.” I give him a hug then lift my chin to everyone else before I leave the room.

When I get into the Jeep, my mom, who is standing in the open passenger door, gives me a concerned look. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom. I’ll call you.”

She nods then reaches out to touch Mia’s cheek. “Call me if you need anything, honey.”

“Thank you,” Mia says quietly, then adds once again, “it was nice meeting you all.” And my mom, sisters, cousins, and aunts all tell her goodnight.

Mom slams the door, and I back out of the driveway then rest my hand on Mia’s thigh.

“I’m sorry we had to leave,” she cuts through the silence when we’re halfway to her sister’s place, and I give her leg a squeeze. “Cece just sounded so freaked out I…”

“Her house was broken into. I think anyone would sound freaked out about that kinda thing. I’m just glad the girls are with Mike tonight.”

“Me too,” she agrees as she rests her hand over mine before turning to look out the window.

Ten minutes later, when we get to the house, two police cruisers are parked out front, and all the lights in the house are on with an officer standing in the open front door. “Wait until I come around to let you out,” I tell her as I park on the street, and her hand tightens around mine almost painfully.

“It will be okay,” I assure her, rolling down both front windows a few inches before shutting down the engine, getting out, and jogging around the front of the Jeep to open her door. I let her out, leaving the dogs in the car, and then take her hand, leading her to the front door, where the officer is still standing on the porch. “She’s the owner’s sister,” I tell him, and he lifts his chin, stepping out of the way for us to enter. The minute we walk inside, it feels like déjà vu. Someone has taken what had to be a sledgehammer to the walls, mirror, pictures, and furniture in the entryway, demolishing everything in sight.

“Cece!” Mia yells for her sister, who comes barreling around the corner before running into her arms. I step behind Mia as they collide to hold them up then look toward the end of the hall, where I know the kitchen is, finding a man and woman holding on to each other. “Are you okay?” Mia asks.

“Yes. No,” Cece whimpers through her tears. “I don’t know why someone would do this.”