The detective accepted the sheet. “‘Mind your own business,’” he read out loud.
Austin shot Mia a knowing look. “Still so convinced?” he asked her.
“Oh my God. I’m sorry. I mean, I had no idea there even was a retrial until today. I’ll pack. I’ll go. I would never put you or Bailey in any danger. I’m so sorry.” She started for her room but Austin stopped her, grabbing her arm. “Whoa. Slow down. You’re not going anywhere.”
Panic had rushed through him at her words. She wasn’t leaving when she was in trouble. Guarding against it was his specialty and he’d already arranged for Bailey to be away from things for a while. School could wait. She was only six, after all. If she was going to turn to anyone, it would be him.
“But—”
“Please go help Bailey pack. I’ll fill the detective in on your situation and you can answer any questions when you’re finished. Okay?” He glanced at the other man, not wanting to step on toes.
“Fine. Make it quick,” he said to Mia, his gaze softening when he glanced at Bailey.
Austin began to explain Mia’s previous employer’s trial, conviction, and subsequent release, and while he was doing so, his parents arrived. It took a few minutes to calm his mother down and reassure her the break-in was under control and everyone was safe and would remain so.
Austin’s dad stepped up and ushered Bailey and his wife out of the house. Austin kissed his daughter good-bye and promised to video chat with her later. He and Mia finished up with the police, and they said they would let Austin know about anything new they found out.
Finally, the cops were gone, Bailey was safely with his parents, and Mia and Austin were alone.
He walked up to her and grasped both hands in his. “Do you really think I’d let you go through this alone?”
“I think you’d put your daughter first and you should.”
“And I did. She’s safe with my parents. Now I’m going to take care of you.”
She met his gaze, gratitude and something more shining in their depths. “Thank you—”
He pulled her close, cutting her off by sealing his lips over hers. He kissed her hard, wanting her to understand that she was a priority, as much as he didn’t want to admit that to himself. He didn’t want anything to happen to her and not because being a protector was ingrained in his veins. No, it was because this was Mia and she’d gotten under his skin.
“What am I going to do?” she asked.
“You mean what are we going to do?” he corrected her. “First, I’m going to clean up the mess and board the window. We’ll spend the night here, and first thing tomorrow, we’ll get on the road.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Where are we going?”
“The papers say you don’t testify for another week or two. We have time. And I have a cabin upstate. We’re going to get away from everything for a few days while I think and formulate a plan to deal with both my ex-wife and your former employer.”
“Okay.”
“And Mia?”
“Yes?”
His gaze fell on hers. “I plan to pick up where we left off a month ago. I still want you.”
And he meant to have her. They’d have the opportunity to distract each other and forget about their problems… if only for a little while.
* * *
Mia had mixed feelings about going away with Austin. Of course, she was looking forward to being alone with him, and yes, excited awareness rippled through her veins, but she couldn’t forget the reason for this trip. It wasn’t just about sex; that was the bonus. This excursion was because someone was serious about preventing her from testifying. Serious enough to break into his house, and she felt guilty about bringing trouble to his doorstep and separating him from his daughter.
But after his earlier declaration, I still want you, she’d decided to leave her fear behind and savor the time they spent together. She wouldn’t overthink things and she definitely wouldn’t let herself dwell on the pesky feelings and emotions that could mess up the good thing she had going with him.
There were no heavy expectations and she told herself it worked for her. And it did, as long as she didn’t let herself think about all his finer qualities. Like his protectiveness when it came to his daughter and how he’d transferred it to Mia. He could have sent her packing when he realized she was bringing trouble to his doorstep. Instead he’d stepped up and taken charge of her safety. It was hard not to fall for a guy like that… but falling wasn’t an option. It wasn’t what they’d tacitly agreed to. An affair was all this was, all it could be.