“I hope you’re hungry,” Mia said as she locked the door.
Tugging her to him, he dipped his head down and kissed her deeply. “I’m starving, but I’ll eat first.” He smacked her ass.
Mia giggled. “We’re having dinner in the dining room.” She moved out of his arms and walked over to the stove.
“Do you need any help?”
“You can bring the salad bowl to the table, please.”
“Okay.” Army picked up the ceramic bowl. “I’m meeting up with some of the brothers tonight. I won’t be long.” He placed the salad on the table and sat down on one of the dining room chairs. The flames from the candles flickered, and he unfolded the rust-colored napkin and put it on his lap.
Mia placed a pan of piping hot lasagna on two hot plates. “Hand me your dish,” she said, cutting a large square.
Army gave it to her then stood up. “I’ll get the wine.”
As they ate, he kept staring at her thinking that she looked so beautiful in candlelight. Normally Mia would be chatting away, but she was quiet that night, and Army suspected she was thinking about the fight the following night.
“This is really good, babe,” he said before taking a big bite.
She looked up and smiled. “I’m glad you like it.” Then she went back to pushing her food around on the plate.
Army set his fork down. “It’s going to be all right, Mia.”
“Please don’t go,” she said softly. “It’d kill me if anything happened to you. Maybe the universe is telling us that wearen’tmeant to be.”
“No fuckin’ way. The problem is your brother can’t let you live your life. I know what needs to be done. I’ll make sure Shark doesn’t bother you—us—anymore.”
Her eyes widened. “What does that mean? I don’t want you to kill my brother.”
“I’m not. Once he’s defeated, he’ll concede, and we won’t have to worry about him anymore.”
For a second Mia stared at him as if she didn’t quite believe what he’d said, and then she looked away. “I just wish you’d call him back and tell him that you’re not going to meet him.”
“You know I can’t do that, babe.” His gaze caught hers and held it for a few seconds. “Now eat your dinner. After I get back from hooking up with the brothers at their motel, we’ll have some fun.” He placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed it gently.”
The smile she aimed at him was weak as she picked up her fork and began to eat.
Hours later Army and Mia lay wrapped in each other’s arms, sated and warm, their naked bodies cocooned in a mass of tangled sheets. Army stared at the wall, striped with moonlight filtering through the blinds on the window as he twirled a strand of brown silken hair in his fingers.
“By this time tomorrow night, you’ll be home safe,” Mia whispered, tilting her head back and gazing at him.
“Go to sleep, baby.” Army kissed her softly on the lips. “I love you.”
“Me too.” Her voice quivered slightly. She rested her head on his chest and tightened her grip around his waist.
Silence filled the room, and Army fell asleep, Mia’s body pressed to his, her finger tracing the line of Adam’s apple and collarbone and pecs.
* * *
The following night,Army tucked his gun into his waistband as he waited for Eagle and Sangre at the motel. The two had gone to a convenience store to stock up on energy drinks.
“I scoped out the area today and saw more of the fuckers,” Crow said as he stared at the television screen.
“How many?” Goldie asked.
“Five.” Crow lit up a joint.
“We’ll go in slowly to make sure no one’s at the field yet. There are bleachers and bushes plus a ton of trees around there we need to secure.” Army pushed the curtains aside and looked out the window. “Did the fuckers see you?”