Chapter Six "Brothers Part I"

When Steve came back downstairs later that evening, he heard Mia talking on the phone. He knew he probably shouldn't have listened, but he did.

"No," she was saying. "No, Mom, don't come here... I'm okay. I'm safe... No, please don't tell Morgan... Because he would be on the first flight out here, dragging Kirk and Zach with him and they'd all do something stupid... Yeah, I know. Just don't tell them, okay? When this is all over, I'll—I'll come up for a visit... I love you too, Mom. Tell Dad and the boys I love them... bye."

Steve heard Mia sigh softly and toss her phone onto the coffee table. He understood her worries about her brothers. He knew if anything like what happened to Mia happened to Mary Ann, he would be in LA before she knew it. It was just what brothers did. Thinking of that, Steve wondered if that was how Mia saw him now. He hoped not.

"They mean well," Mia said, and Steve realized that she knew he was there.

He came down the rest of the stairs and sat across from her. "Sorry for eavesdropping," he said.

Mia shook her head. "It's fine. I just needed to let my parents know what was going on. I'm sure they'll tell my brothers anyway."

Steve nodded. "Being an older brother, I can understand. I mean, I'm not all that close with my sister, but if someone hurt her, I'd be there."

"Which is why I don't want them to know."

"But you know that's not gonna happen."

"Right... I really hope they don't come, but I'm afraid they will."

"Would it be such a bad thing?"

"Could be. I mean, when Ricky went to prison, they were satisfied. Now that he's out again, I don't know what they'll do."

"What do they do? For a living I mean."

"There's the irony. Morgan is an ADA. Kirk is an audio/visual consultant, and Zach... well, he's a taxi driver."

"So not cops or assassins or anything."

Mia laughed. "No, why?"

Steve shrugged. "Less to be worried about if they do try to go after Durante... except their own safety I suppose."

"Exactly. Though, I wouldn't underestimate them. I mean, they haven't got anything like your skills, I'm sure, but I think Morgan could kill with a glare."

"Then maybe they can make themselves useful."

"Oh, I certainly hope not."

Steve nodded, understanding her feelings completely. She didn't want her family involved. It made perfect sense. But Steve got the feeling that he would become acquainted with Mia's family very soon.

H-5-O

On Monday morning, Steve wore his button down shirt closed and a light jacket to hide his gun and badge. He also stuck with jeans and street shoes because he figured it would blend in better on a college campus.

"Are you sure you can take that?" Mia asked about his gun.

"I called the president of the university and informed him of the situation," Steve said. "I also called the head of your department and the campus security office. Everyone who needs to know does. You can just tell your students I'm one of your brothers."

"No, I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I have pictures of my family all over my office. Someone would remember. I mean, in the dark, you might pass for Morgan, but it's a long shot."

"Okay, then what will keep them from asking questions?"

"I could just say you're my friend. It's easy and true."

Steve nodded and didn't bother mentioning that their "friendship" started as dating. It really wasn't the time for that. But other professors might recognize him from the lecture on Saturday, so he was sure it would get around that they were seeing each other. Even if they didn't anymore.

When they got to the campus, Mia had about an hour in her office before her first class. Steve took the time to become acquainted with her immediate surroundings. He familiarized himself with all the building entrances and looked for hiding places.

Once that was done, Steve looked around Mia's office as she was finishing grading some papers. She did have a lot of pictures of her family. Steve could tell who was who. Morgan was obviously the oldest brother at about six feet tall, and had the most severe features of all of them: dark eyes, sharp jaw, and dark brown hair. Kirk looked closer to Mia's age, and while he had the same slick, black eyebrows as the rest of them, his hair was lighter, possibly because it was very short. Zachary was only an inch or two taller than Mia and had wavy dark hair. He smiled a lot.

Mia's parents looked happy in all the pictures, often watching their children. Steve imagined they were proud of all of them. Altogether, they seemed like a perfect family. He felt a twinge of guilt at his own jealousy. He hardly remembered a time his family was that happy.

"Ready?" Mia asked, bringing Steve out of his thoughts.

Steve turned to see her standing by the door. "Yeah," he said, putting on a fake smile. "What's your first class?"

Mia seemed to notice his mood, but didn't say anything. "English 101," she said. "Or as my students seem to think of it, hell."

H-5-O

Steve made it through Mia's school day without incident. She was really quite proud of him for lasting through two sections each of 101, and 102, along with her various literature classes without a single complaint. But she did wonder what would happen if this went on. How would she be able to explain having a shadow with her every day? Perhaps the truth would have to come out. Or maybe they would find Ricky before then. Mia tried to be optimistic.

When they got back to Steve's house, he immediately went upstairs, and Mia decided to let him be. He had been quiet ever since that morning, and she wasn't about to invade his space. Sometimes, she thought she probably should say something, but she didn't. If Steve wanted her to know, he would have told her.

Mia shook her head as she curled up on the couch. She wasn't that open, why should she expect him to be? It was ironic. Here she was living with the guy she was supposed to be dating and she knew hardly anything about him. To be fair, he didn't know much about her either. Not much of substance anyway.

Mia switched on the TV, hoping to ignore her warring thoughts. Of course, there was nothing good on, and Mia wasn't about to watch the evening news.

As the TV screen went black, Mia sighed. She wasn't sure what had just become of her life, but she knew things could have been so much easier if she weren't so stubborn. In an effort to appear strong, she had probably sent the message that she wanted to be left alone. That she wasn't interested in Steve. And it wasn't as if she could just say that to him because truthfully, she didn't know how interested she was or how alone she wanted to be.

Mia was so deep in thought that she jumped when her phone rang. She was only half surprised to see who was calling.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey," came the reply, somewhat irritated if Mia heard right.

"I guess Mom told you."

"Yeah... Why didn't you tell us yourself, Mia?"

"Because... You know."

There was a humorless chuckle from the other end. "Yeah. I know. Listen, have you heard from Morgan?"

"No. Why?"

"Because after Mom told us, he went home, and I can't reach him. I tried calling the house, but Kyra wouldn't say where he went."

"I think we both know what that means."

"Yeah. Means I'm gonna kick his ass when I get down there."

"Kirk, don't. This won't help anything. If Morgan comes here, I'm sending him straight home. And anyway, you couldn't kick his ass if he had one hand tied behind his back."

"You don't get it, do you? You think you can always brush things off like they're nothing. This guy tried to kill you, Bug. And now he's out again. Where should we be, but by your side?"

Mia smiled softly at Kirk's nickname for her. "I understand, Beetle," she said, using her nickname for him. "I just don't want any of you getting hurt."

"Don't worry. We just want to be with you."

"I'm not sure Morgan would agree."

"Then you'll need my help restraining him, okay?"

Mia couldn't argue. "Okay," she said, smiling wider. "I'll see you soon."

"Love you, Bug."

"Love you, Beetle."