Arranged love

BONES

“HERE,” I SAY, handing Haven a cup of coffee.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

“Thanks.” She takes it with a yawn while wiping her tear-streaked face with her free hand.

I hand Emilee-Titan’s wife-hers, and she thanks me before she returns to rubbing Haven’s back.

We’ve been at the hospital for hours now. The sun will be coming up soon, and I’m on my third cup of coffee. The caffeine doesn’t seem to be working. I’m not usually one of those guys who needs a lot of sleep, but the adrenaline has worn off, and it took what little energy I had left with it.

They have us sitting in a private room. When we arrived, a nurse was already sitting with Haven and got us up to speed on his condition. Titan took the time to get NDAs signed by anyone who had seen or heard that Luca was here except for those working on him at the moment. They will have to sign once he’s out of surgery.

I walk over to the seats across from Emilee and Haven, sitting next to Titan.

“Who do you think did this?” he asks me softly so the girls can’t hear. We don’t want to worry Haven. But I’m sure the thought has already crossed her mind-is she next?

I shake my head, unable to answer that. The list is a mile long. You’re not a part of the Mafia without having a hit out on you. Leaning in, I make sure to speak equally quiet. “Once we get word on his condition, I’ll go up to Glass and see what I can find.”

Our friend was shot. Multiple times. As far as we know, he didn’t fire his weapon, which makes me think it was personal. Whoever did it knew where he’d be, and they wanted him to feel comfortable. Not aware of any threat. Otherwise, we’d be taking care of the dead body of the sorry bastard right now instead of waiting on word if Luca is going to live or die.

“You shouldn’t be there alone. I’ll go with you,” Titan states, then pulls away, leaving no room to argue with him.

My cell rings, and I pull it out of my pocket to see it’s Grave. “Hello?” I answer, standing and walking out of the room, going down the quiet hall so the others can’t hear my conversation.

“Any word?” he asks in greeting.

“No. He’s still in surgery,” I answer, leaning back against the wall.

He lets out a long sigh. “April is having someone open the flower shop for her. We’ll be on our way shortly.”

“Okay.” I nod to myself.

“I spoke to Cross, and he’s on his way. Should be there any moment.”

Grave and Cross were already at home in bed when Titan and I arrived at the hospital. We tried calling them both, but they didn’t answer. My brother puts his phone on silent when he goes to bed. If he’s not at Kingdom, he’s checked out. He actually likes spending time with his future wife-his exact words to me when I asked him about his phone not being on when I tried to call him one night.

“I spoke to Nigel an hour ago. He’s taking care of everything up at Kingdom until we get there.” There’s nothing we can do for Luca here, but we’re not going to leave until we know he’s out of surgery. Even then, he’s not going to be in the clear, but we’re not leaving Haven here alone.

“One sec, babe.” I hear him call out to April. “Okay, she’s about ready,” he informs me. “We’ll be there soon.” He hangs up, and I pocket my cell.

Walking back to the room, I sit down next to Titan just as the door opens behind me. I jump up and turn around, expecting it to be Lane, telling us how the surgery went or a nurse to update us, but I freeze when I see the small-framed brunette running in.

My heart picks up at the sight of her. “Mia?” I question, thinking I must be wrong. Maybe lack of sleep is making me see shit.

She stops, her long dark hair slapping her in her tear-streaked face. “Bones?” Her silvery-blue eyes widen when they meet mine.

She called me Bones, which means one of two things. Either she’s realized who I was or she’s known since I bought her in New York, and she pretended not to. I’m not sure which one I want to be true.

“What are you …?”

“Mia!” Haven stands, interrupting Mia when she sees her. “Oh, my God. I’m so glad you made it.” She runs over to her, pulling her in for a hug.

What the fuck is she doing here? That is all I can think while staring into her watery eyes. They stay glued to mine while her arms cling to Haven. As if she thinks her sister-in-law can save her from me.

“Tell me he’s okay,” she asks Haven, swallowing.

“He’s in surgery,” Haven answers, still holding on to her. “They won’t tell us anything new.”

Mia’s eyes are still on mine, and I fist my hands, trying to figure out how she found out about Luca and why she would come here. She had to know her father was the one selling her. What if he were here? Why would she chance her freedom when Haven could keep her up to date with Luca’s condition?

“Who the fuck is Mia?” Titan asks. With his arm on the back of my chair, he’s spun around to look at them.

“I’m Luca’s sister,” she answers him, her eyes finally leaving mine to meet his.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to get my thoughts in line. She can’t be here. She has to go.

Emilee looks surprised, and Titan looks confused. Nite looks about as shocked as I do that she’s here in the flesh.

“Why are you here, Mia?” I ask, stepping around the row of chairs over to them as my shock wears off. I didn’t drug her and ship her off into hiding for nothing.

“My brother was shot,” she snaps, finally pulling away from Haven. “Where else would I be?”

“How did you even know-”

“I told her.” Haven interrupts me.

I fist my hands. “I told you not to say anything.”

“She’s his sister,” Haven says defensively.

“You need to go,” I grind out, gripping her upper arm.

“Dillan, no … I have to stay here.” She sniffs, calling me by my first name. “I have to be with him. This is my fault.”

What does she mean it’s her fault? Why would she think that? “Mia …”

“Let go of her, Bones,” Haven demands, trying to pull Mia’s arm free of my grip. “You’re hurting her,” she adds and jerks harder.

I let go and walk over to Oliver Nite-Bianchi-Luca’s adopted brother-who is already pushing a sleeping Jasmine off his shoulder and getting to his feet. “I want her gone,” I tell him.

He nods.

“Bones?” I hear Haven call out, but I ignore her. She’s not going to change my mind.

“Now.” She can’t be here. What if Mr. Bianchi arrives? Her life is in danger, and I made a promise to my best friend, who may lose his life. I’m going to fucking keep it. “I want her on the jet and ready to go in an hour.” I’ll send her to Alaska even if I have to buy property there to keep her.

“Bones?” Haven orders.

“What?” I snap, turning to face her.

“Something’s wrong,” Haven cries while holding Mia.

My eyes go to her, and she’s breathing heavily, her hand pressed into her side. “Mia?” I step up to her, and she looks up at me. Her pretty eyes meet mine before they roll into the back of her head, and her knees start to buckle. My arms go out, catching her before she can hit the floor.