Christmas with the Sheriff (The Fiore Family 3)

“Holy shit. I’ve never seen him like that. Like ever. Wow. Just wow. I think my brother has lost his mind.” Why does that make my heart do flips? I should be appalled, but I want more kisses and so much more. The heat that passed between us could have set the room ablaze.

“He’s not the only one.” I fan myself because I feel like I’m burning up.

“I can see. You’re still here for a reason. Tell me a little about yourself, Mia.”

“Well, you know I’m from Rochester. I work for my cousin as his executive assistant. I have two really close friends who live in New York City, and they were the people I was heading down to visit.”

“Do you have family besides your cousin and close friends?”

“Yes. My parents and brother are in Rochester along with my aunt and uncle and cousins with their babies.” A vision of Mark holding and protecting our babies comes to mind, and I let out a sigh. I’m getting way ahead of myself.

“Okay. So do you get along with them?” She adds some seasonings to the bowl of mashed potatoes.

“Yes. Of course. I love all of them.”

“Sorry. I only ask because you’d rather be with your friends than your family.”

I shrug. “It’s complicated.”

“Well, I’m still glad complicated led you here because my brother has been a grumpy asshole for a long time.” She points toward the closed door.

I turn to the door like he’s just going to be standing there, but he’s not. “Doesn’t seem like much has changed.”

“Ha. I suppose you have a point, but I’ve never seen him like that.”

Chapter Four

Mark

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you could be in if she decided to file charges?” my father says as soon as Mia and Jenny leave the room.

I dismiss it with a wave and say, “The way she kissed me in the store, I doubt she’d press charges.”

“She kissed you?” my mother says, staring wide-eyed with a smile spreading across her face. I can see the wheels turning in her head, preparing for a house full of more grandbabies. My parents want me to be happy more than anything, and I can’t say I was truly happy until today. Even now, I want to be thrilled but the fear of her leaving fills my gut.

Just thinking about what preempted her kiss ticks me off. “Yeah, that stupid broad Susie had to insult Mia by reminding me that Nicki had abandoned me.”

My mother’s mouth drops open, and a gasp goes around the room. “What a little bitch! I could choke her myself, but that means that Mia was trying to show something to that bitch in the store.”

We all stare at her in shock, but I’m the first to speak. “Mom, that’s the most I’ve ever heard you curse.”

She cups my face and then pinches my cheek. “Yes. Well, no one hurts my babies and gets away with it, and she knew damn well that saying that would hurt. You’re a good man, Mark, and I’m happy to be your mother and will defend you from anyone who dares to upset your peace.”

“Honestly, Susie’s a narcissist, but I should send her some flowers or some shit because it caused Mia to claim me.” I’m trying to ignore the trouble Susie stirred up because she has a point. What the fuck am I going to do when Mia tries to leave me?

The thought immediately sets my teeth on edge. I can’t let Mia go. From the second she crossed my path, I knew she belonged with me, to me. I wasn’t just warning her family off when I took the phone from her. I’m deadly serious. I’ve seen a lot, been through a lot, and for the first time in my life, I’ve found a sense of peace.

“I need a beer,” I grumble, running my fingers through my hair that is still a little damp from the snow.

“Bring me one too,” my father says. I walk into the kitchen and hear shit that’s going to get Jenny on my bad side. Storming out with a warning to Mia and with a taste of her lips and my beers, I hand one over to my dad.

“We don’t know anything about her, but she seems feisty,” Derek says.

“Oh yeah. Well, Jenny’s telling her about Hank.”

“Fucking Hank.” Derek snarls, flexing his fists. “I still want to beat his ass for all the times I’ve heard how he and Jenny should have been together.”

“Sorry.” I know I was one of those people who believed they would make a great couple. Truthfully, it was only to piss off Derek because I knew neither of them were interested in each other. “Hank’s a really fucking good guy, but you’re perfect for her, even if you and I haven’t always seen eye to eye.” Derek and I were enemies at one point over the years, having been working for different agencies, but Jenny doesn’t know the full story and we’ll keep it that way.