Roman grabbed his leather jacket and slipped it on over his bullet proof vest. It was a luxury he wanted all his men to wear. Security was a dangerous job, even though they were taken for granted and often called rent-a-cops. Taking over the top guys job had meant a lot of changes for the entire company, safer changes, but still some the employees resented. He wanted everyone in shape. Forced them to use the company gym at least an hour every day. He had their best interest at heart, despite how much some of them hated his new job requirement.
Stress laced his back as he straightened his desk and took one last look around. No late night tonight. He missed Mia and planned to surprise her with the single long stem he had purchased on the corner earlier that day.
"Roman." he turned. Destiny stood with her dainty hand on the door frame, blocking his exit. She was a great woman and still held his gaze as well as making him smile.
"Yes, ma'am?" Professional. That was the best way to handle it.
"Ma'am? I think we know each a little too well for that." she closed the door, took sultry steps, swinging those sexy hips. He half sat on the edge of his desk, crossed his arms across his chest, meaning to shut her out. She didn't take the hint.
"Destiny, I told you we can't do this anymore."
"I heard you. But we both know you still want me."
"I do." he admitted.
"You love her?" she smirked. "Come on Roman. We are both practical people. We don't fall in love. We just find people we can stand to be around." That was the way he liked it. No complicated emotions waiting to destroy him. His life called for strength and he didn't have time for weakness.
"She's a good woman."
"She's a weak woman and she doesn't have a mouth on her. If I could keep my mouth shut like she does, you would be with me, but I can't do that. I can't pretend."
"I never asked you to."
"Might as well have." Destiny, never faltered. Never cried. He wondered if she did in private because she never showed that emotion in front of him.
"I have somewhere to be."
"You're already there." She wrapped her toned arms around his neck and he opened his obediently. He was addicted to her kiss and the way she touched him, but he had told Randy he wanted to pick Mia up from the diner that night. As routine as the sun setting, Mia's closing rotation came about every third month. He didn't see why Randy insisted that she didn't leave alone, but indulged him anyway. His best friend always had everyone's best interests at heart. Mia wasn't like them. She was strong in so many ways, but not physically. Physically, she was a wilted flower and her petals could easily be plucked. Soon, it wouldn't be an issue. One month and the class she had enrolled in would be complete and she would have a new job. A daytime job where she would be safe, happier and making more money. That alone made his decision easier. He wanted her to move in. The new revenue made sense for them both. He had just rented a nice condo and had kept it a secret, but he needed more income to continue his lifestyle. So, it was time to move their relationship to the next level. The highest level he could offer. His new life was going to be sweet.
He loved Mia's cooking. She kept a clean house and he wouldn't have to hire anyone to do it for him. He wouldn't wake up alone anymore and he would have someone to take care of him when he was sick and to tell the truth, he couldn't stand to be without her. He thought of her all the time and he started to find he was less attracted to other women. He loved her. He couldn't help it. He needed her and he didn't want to need anyone.
"Roman, I'm not going to give you up." Destiny told him. "I still want you."
"But you don't need me." But he allowed her to kiss him. He was scared of what he felt for Mia and it was hard for him to accept. So, he fell back into the same routine. Running. He shifted positions with Destiny, setting her on the desk and wrapping her long legs around his waist. Her touch rubbed, caressed and teased, but all he thought about was Mia.
He had to stop. It was too hard to be in that kind of a relationship. He dove deeper into Destiny's embrace. He loved all women. He convinced himself and he wanted to taste every one of them.
It had been a rough day. Randy stretched and grabbed his briefcase, opened it and stuck his gun in the waist band of his pants. He hated the area. A few of his men had been robbed the night before and he refused to be their next victim. He climbed into his truck without incident and headed home. Roman had wanted to surprise Mia, so he had stayed late to talk with the security guards that would work the night shift. He wanted to make sure they knew what was going on. A pair of thugs were terrorizing the neighborhood and had yet to be caught and they were watching the new building site, ready to pounce unexpectedly on anyone who dared step into the shadows.
He missed spending time with Mia and soon he would see even less of her. Or at least less time alone with her. Roman had finally come to his senses, grabbing her with both hands. His friend had told him that he feared she was about to break off their relationship. Randy guessed that was enough to wake him up. He sighed. Soon, she would want to sign those papers. Perhaps marry Roman. Oh, it was going to be hard to stand at Roman's side and watch him marry the woman who had been his wife first.
He pasted the diner. Mia would already be home, or at Roman's new place. Soon, he wouldn't have to worry. She would be hired at the physical therapy center as soon as she finished her certified nursing assistant class. Of course, they had told her they couldn't promise she would get hired, but he was sure they would. Why would they put her through a class for free and then not employ her themselves?
The diner was still lit up when he passed and he thought it was strange. He didn't see Roman's truck. Maybe he had distracted her, making her forget. But for some reason a pain shot of sickness shot through his stomach and he had to turn around. He leap from his truck and hurried toward the door, expecting to find it locked, which would settle his nerves. Instead, it swung wide open and he was met with a mess. Chairs were toppled and dishes were broken. The cash register's till was laying on the counter while the register itself had been tossed across the room.
"Mia!" he yelled out, not seeing her anywhere. He kicked aside papers and trash, moving behind the counter. He didn't find her. He pushed through the swinging door and entered the kitchen. It wasn't in as much of a mess, but a few things had been knocked to the floor. It was dark, he gazed around, but had no idea where to find a light switch, then he saw a beam of light on the floor and he investigated to find a door with a sign that said Supervisor. He turned the knob and found Mia.
"No." he fell to his knees and cradled her head in his lap. "Oh, baby." he was horrified. Her beautiful face was swollen, battered and bruised. Blood dripped from an open wound and she wouldn't wake up. In a panicked rage he swept strands of her long hair to the side. He kissed her cheeks, caressed her face, unable to handle the damage he gazed upon. His hands shook and he swallowed hard lumps that wanted to explode in hysterical sobs, but his anger would not let that emotion surface. With heavy breaths his stare went from Mia to the safe that had been beaten and pried on with no luck. He knew she had been beaten for a code she did not have.
He continued to stroke her hair, wanting to cry and wanting to murder whoever had hurt her – and his best friend, who should have been with her. Roman should have been there to protect her. Where the hell was he?
Mia had a big knot on her head, one he figured came from the but of her assailants pistol. He wanted to think she was lucky they hadn't shot her, but he feared they had killed her just the same until finally, she moaned.
"Oh, baby." he was too happy she was alive to refrain from showing his true feelings. He was still angry as he lifted her from the floor, took her from the office and sat her on the stainless steel table. "Let me look at you."
She cried into his shirt. She had been hurt so badly that he couldn't contain himself. He was beside himself with grief and hate at the same time.
"They came up behind me." she managed. "I had already deposited what was in the register." she sobbed. "There was nothing in it but change."
"It's okay." he comforted, stroking her long hair.
"They told us to give them whatever they wanted if we were robbed, but no one but the owner has the code to the safe."
Roman entered.
"What the hell happened..." he took one look at Mia's bruised face and his own went pale.
"Where the hell were you!" Randy screamed. "You were supposed to be here! I told you not to leave her alone!"
"Calm down, man."
"No. I'm through playing this game." Mia clung to him, her face buried in his chest and he liked it.
"I got detained. I couldn't help it."
"Oh, I bet you did. Who was it this time? Huh? Destiny? Taylor? Or some cheap slut you found on the corner."
"Randy, be cool." Roman whispered, but Mia had already heard. She stared at him with disbelief through the blood. Another hard blow, but this time emotionally. Roman hated to see her like that and hated himself for letting Destiny seduce him.
They heard a noise. Glass shattering. Shots hit the ceiling. They had come back. They were drunk, probably high on something and their words implied wanted their way with the pretty waitress. He heard another shot rip through the air and lights shatter. They were wanting to put fear in Mia before they raped her. Mia looked terrified and seeing her cling to Randy made him jealous. It should have been him. He should have been her hero, but he had been stupid. Ignorant and too scared of his own heart to follow through with his plans. The rose fell from his hand and he stood, ready to destroy whoever had hurt his girl.
The door swung open. Randy grabbed his own gun and fired it without thinking about anything but what they had done to Mia. The moment he had seen them, he had fired before they had a chance to react. He towered over them. One moaned, begging with blood dripping from his lip, his eyes knowing he had made a huge mistake by coming back.
"You hit my wife you son of a bitch!" The devil seemed to have crept into his soul. He pulled the trigger again, at close range right between the mans eyes.
Roman stared. Knowing more than he had meant to let slip from his tongue.
"Oh my God, Randy." Mia sunk to the floor. She had never seen the gentle man so angry, so violent, but for some reason, she put her arms around his waist, laid her head against his chest and stared at the men who had attacked her. Knowing that the short time she had worried about them coming back to hurt her again was over. She would never have to worry about them. The blond one had forced a kiss. Torn off her apron and he had been breathing heavily in her ear before his partner knocked her out.
"You're wife?" Roman said too calmly as he listened to his phone, waiting for an operator to answer.
"Yea." Randy admired. "In Vegas. When you left her alone. Something you're so good at."
Mia couldn't say anything. She didn't care if Roman was mad. She didn't care that Randy held her possessively. She just wanted that horrible night to end. And after endless questioning. Witnessing Randy handcuffed and jailed she was taken to the hospital where she ended up
She sobbed all night. Roman had stayed for a little while. But he didn't say anything. Finally, he left with a sad, blank look on his face.
Randy was sitting beside her when she awoke. He had been released once the police were sure he had acted in self defense, which wasn't completely true. Randy and Roman were both skilled fighters. Randy had wanted to kill the men. He had murdered, just because they had hurt her. It was then that she knew that his words in Vegas had been true. She had never known anyone could love that much. She had never believed that someone could love her that much.
He slipped into the bed beside her, his arm easily slipped beneath her head and his arm pulled her into his embrace. She cradled herself against him. Feeling warm for the first time since the robbery and he soon fell asleep. She had a feeling he hadn't slept all night.
"Well, I see no reason to keep you any longer young lady." the doctor woke them both two hours later. Randy stretched, realized where he was, then jumped out of the bed like the doctor would have him thrown out. It made the elder gentleman laugh. "It's okay, son. Everything looks good."
"Thanks." Randy shook his hand.
Everything hurt. Mia gingerly got out of the bed and slipped on the waitress uniform, wishing she had something that wasn't covered in blood to put on.
"Pack what you need. I'll have some guys come for the rest." Randy said as soon as they entered her apartment. She stared at him inquisitively. He could only give her a weak smile. "And you're done with that damn job."
"Randy." She laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't, Mia. I'm not taking no for an answer. You're my wife. You have been my wife for almost a year and it's time everyone knew it. Especially, Roman."
