Seize (St. Martin Family Saga: Emergency Responders) Book 2: Erotic Romance (23 page)

Chapter 25

She hadn’t been
in his car before, but she’d seen him take a corner on two wheels. The car was sporty and the leather seats fit her like those rides she’d been strapped into as a child at an amusement park. His cellphone rested in the center cup holder.

“Can I use your phone to call my mom?”

“Of course. Find out when she’ll be ready and we’ll go get her, bring her down here. She can live in the apartment.”

God, he was so wonderful. She hoped her mother wouldn’t put up a fuss. Punching in the numbers, she started to tap her foot.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mom, how are you?” She bit her nails as she awaited her mother’s reply.

“I’m much better.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Hey, when will you be ready do you think?” Mia sighed.

“A few weeks, maybe a month.”

“Oh, yeah. Well, I’m here in Louisiana and I’ve got a real nice place for you.” She rubbed the cold steel door handle. “It’s my friend Augie’s place; we’ll come get you and move you down.”

“A temporary move?”

Her lips pursed into a tight line. “It won’t be temporary, it will be forever.”

“It sounds nice. I’d like to move to Louisiana, to be close to you and Evie.”

Her smile started small but soon spread across her face. “Really? That would be wonderful.” She looked to Augie.

“Mia, I’ve got to let you go.”

“Okay, Mom. I love you. Bye.”

“Good?” Augie’s brow rose.

“Yeah, she said she would like to move to Louisiana to be close to me and Evie.” She shrugged. “I just don’t get her change in demeanor. She’s never been so accommodating and nice.”

He squeezed her knee. “You deserve it. You’re a great daughter to her.”

She leaned her head against the seat and watched him drive. “I love you.”

He smiled. “Love you too.” They laced their fingers together.

He pulled into the diner and kissed her knuckle before releasing her hand to park. He killed the engine. “Ready to do this?”

“Ready.”

“Let me get your door.” As he walked around the car, she giggled. She’d never imagined she could be this happy.

At breakfast Mia met Clara, the youngest St. Martin and only female sibling of the bunch. A beautiful young woman, she was over the moon when Mia and Evie decided to do a double wedding. She appointed herself wedding coordinator. Both Mia and Evie were relieved. Evidently a wedding was an even bigger deal in the south than it was in Canada.

*

Augie drove fast and commanded the car with a dominant hand that had her wanting him again.

“I’m going to tell you what exactly you cannot say since that’ll be easier than trying to come up with all the possible things my mother may or may not ask you.”

“Okay.” She had no idea what he was getting at, but his tone was serious.

“Don’t ever allude to the fact that you’re from Canada. Don’t even say you’re Canadian. Don’t admit we married because you needed American medical services.”

“Where should I say we met?”

He shrugged. “St. Louis.”

“Why’d we get married?”

“Same reason everyone else gets married.”

And what exactly did that mean? She frowned even as he stretched his arm across the span of the front windshield.

“This is the start of the estate.”

Lining either side of a winding drive were large oaks that met overhead in an arch. The tree lined drive meandered spectacularly before them and was the epitome of what she considered a Southern plantation home.

“Ask me again.”

“What?”

“Ask me why we got married.”

“Why’d we get married?”

“Because I love you. I should have said because I love you.” He clasped her hand in his and kissed it again. “I’m giving you these rules for a reason. I told you my father is in politics. I don’t want him or my mother prying into our business. And they’ll both try to breach our privacy and control our lives. Plus, the less people who know about you and Evie’s connection to Nicolas the better. My father would shit if he ever found out about your sisters mafia connection. ”

“I understand.”

As they rounded the last bend, a huge two-story porch with pillars came into view. The house was large—mansion sized—with white brick and black iron balustrades and a black door. “It’s a palace.”

“Ostentatious.”

“So you grew up here.”

“Yeah, well, sort of. Me and my brothers were sent away for school. We came home for holidays.” He shrugged. “It’s what southern people with money do.” His hand landed on her thigh. “When we have our children, I want them with us.”

His eyes were dark, his look intent. Mia sensed that he needed her agreement on this.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“My mom is aggressive and will be in your business so fast you’ll stop breathing. Share only what you want.” His hand rubbed through his hair as he sighed.

“Augie?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“Are you okay?”

“Being here is strange. I check in about once per week, but what I meant is being here with you is strange.”

“How?”

“I guess strange isn’t the right word.” His fingers curled around the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip. “I almost don’t want to expose you to my family. I’m afraid they’ll rub off on you. You know my parents are still married, even though they don’t see each other except during campaigns and holidays. They’ve made such a lie out of their lives, my life, everything they touch. Their lives are a mockery. I don’t want to be like them. I want our marriage to be real.”

She held her palm in the air and he clasped his hand over it, joining them. “We won’t be like that. I love you. And just so you know, the thought of speaking in public makes me want to put hot needles in my eyes, so I can’t see myself on the campaign trail.” She winked at him and smiled.

“Thanks, Mia. Okay, you ready for this?”

She nodded and waited for him to walk around and help her out of the car, the way he liked to. Her hand in his, he pulled her along. As soon as they reached the porch, the front door opened and out popped a very attractive woman.

“Augie!” In a black cocktail dress and slim heels, the woman clicked across the tile and placed her arms around his neck. “I’m on my way out, dear, but I really want to catch up, so I’ll come over after this library dedication thing, take my baby boy out for a steak dinner. Your brother’s in there, so why don’t you wait a— Oh, who’s this?”

“This is Mia. She’s my wife. Mia, this is my mother, Olivia.”

Olivia gasped, then stared at Mia. “Augustine Charles Roy!” The pad of her foot tapped the tile hard. “Are you telling me my baby boy gets married and I don’t even get an invitation? I could just die of heartbreak right now.” Her palms went to Mia’s jaw. “Jesus, you’re beautiful.”

“Mom, don’t freak out my bride. And we’re gonna have a big extravagant second ceremony, so you can die happy.”

Mia started to laugh. She couldn’t help it. Augie’s mom was wonderful.

Olivia punched her phone. “This is Mrs. Olivia Diane Roy. An emergency has come up and I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it. Yes, that’s right. You may contact Mrs. Joyce Robichau.” She slipped her phone into her purse.

“Welcome to the family, honey.” Olivia linked her arm in Mia’s and steered her into the house and to the living room. “You and I need to talk.”

Mia looked over her shoulder at Augie, who winked at her as she was being led away.

Her vision was in overdrive processing the lavish surroundings at such a fast pace: chandeliers, Persian rugs, wall art, and rich ornate objects were tucked here and there. Plush velvet and leather furniture abounded and Mia would have liked more time to take it all in, but Olivia pulled her into the kitchen. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please. Can I help you?”

“Gracious, no.” She swatted at Mia’s upper arm. “Sylvia!”

God, her bellow was loud. Mia never imagined a sound that loud could come from a woman that small. “Sylvia!”

“Yes, Mrs. Roy?”

“Make a pot of coffee and do you have any more of those Neapolitan sandwich cookies?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Couches and high-back chairs made up a sunny nook in the corner of the kitchen and Olivia pulled Mia by the hand until they sat at a picturesque window in that nook. Augie’s mother’s posture formed a sophisticated line as she sat straight, crossing only her ankles, in a black sheath dress fancier than anything Mia had ever owned.

“Mia … Is that short for something?”

“Michaela.”

“I love it. What a beautiful name.” Her smile was like Augie’s—a person could get lost in the intensity of it. “How’d you two meet?”

“We met in St. Louis, at the arch.”

“Oh, how romantic.” Olivia leaned forward. “Now you know, I’ve always wanted to have one of my boys marry here on the estate.” She patted Mia’s knee. “You could help me make that dream come true.”

“I would love to get married here.”

She winked. “Great.”

A robust Latin man walked up to a set of French doors in the kitchen, and Olivia jumped up. “Excuse me a moment.” He was a handsome man with olive skin and dark features. She spoke to him with the door ajar.

“Augie’s here with his bride. Isn’t it wonderful? Would you like to meet her?”

Mia couldn’t make out what was said, but the man’s body language said no, he wouldn’t.

Augie and a man she assumed was his brother walked in. When he saw what was going down on the porch, his eyes narrowed. Olivia turned and pulled the door closed.

“I’m just having coffee brewed; join us.”

“What’s he doing here?”

“He’s my friend, you know that.”

“I know what he is, Mom.”

“Augie, please don’t start.” She indicated that the men should join them on the couches. “Mia, have you met Alex?”

She stood. “Hi.” He shook her hand and she felt awkward searching for something to say, so she didn’t say anything.

“Augie tells me congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you.” He was similar in height to Augie and shared the same coloring, but he wasn’t as laid back in his suit and tie, and he held himself almost unnaturally erect.

She glanced to Augie and was immediately relaxed at the look of awe on his face. His smile grew until it reached his dark eyes. Walking toward her, he closed the gap between them and pulled her onto his lap on the couch, giving her a huge wet kiss on the lips. Heat bloomed across her neck and cheeks.

“Augie!”

Alex frowned. “On that note, I’ve got a call to make. Excuse me.”

Olivia sat next to them on the couch, watching with a sincere smile and kind eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you two will come around all the time.”

Mia turned in his lap so she could see his face. His lips were tight. She answered for them. “I would love to.”

“I want to give Mia a family piece, maybe a necklace.” Augie said.

Olivia squeezed Mia’s knee. “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea. Mia, when I married into this family, I was given buckets of jewelry from the elders. You need your own stash.”

Mia didn’t wear jewelry, not ever. But she had Augie’s ring now and loved how it looked on her hand. Loved what it represented. “I haven’t worn much jewelry, at least not until I got the ring from Augie.” She held her hand to Olivia.

“I love the pink stone; it’s just gorgeous with your skin tone.”

“Thank you.”

Augie slid her from his lap and stood. “I’m gonna go take a look at gran’s jewels.”

As he walked away, Olivia whispered, “I must show you his room. I haven’t changed a thing since he left home. Come.”

Mia followed behind her up the double winding staircase, down the hall, and through the door at the end. Inside, the first thing she noticed was the number of trophies lining the shelves and windowsills. Pulling one from the shelf, she recognized the figure on top to be an American football player. Others were for baseball, swimming, debate, track and field, and archery. There must have been over a hundred trophies.

“Wow, he’s successful at everything.”

Olivia was folding a blanket. “He pushes himself, too hard sometimes. But yes, he’ll make a success of anything given to him.” She patted the folded blanket with her hand. “He’s just like his father, except Augie’s fiercely loyal.” She sighed.

Mia felt sad for Olivia, but she understood her a little bit better. “Augie’s father doesn’t live here.” It wasn’t a question; she knew the answer.

Olivia inhaled deeply. “No. I’m sure Augie told you we’re estranged. Augie’s upset with me, has been for years. For the record, I would have remained faithful had he …” Her fingers gently worried her top lip. “I just got so lonely here in this big house. Alone.” Her voice was tinged with pain.

Mia took her hand in hers. “I don’t know anybody here and I’m not very good at getting to know people, but I love Augie and I’d love to get to know you. I can get lonely also. I’ll try to bring Augie around. He’s a great guy and he loves you very much.”

Olivia pulled her into an embrace.

Mia never knew touching like this; she instantly loved his mother. She would spend her days subtly trying to show Augie how wonderful this woman was, despite her flaws. She obviously loved her son.