Chapter 65

Mia had propped her chin with her hands, the rest of her body flat on the bed. Her head bobbed down as her body was lulling itself to sleep. It had been a full hour since Harvey promised to return and while she was anticipating his return, the shower she’d just had made it difficult for her to stay awake. A loud thud caused her to snap to attention, shaking her head in the process and then gazing around the empty room for signs of the interruption. Did she just fall asleep? She wondered, sniffling and rubbing her eyes. The noise came again and this time she scrambled out of the bed on impulse, unable to fully comprehend the source of the sound.
Her heart was thrashing about in her chest, the sound making it difficult for her to concentrate.

“Mia, are you awake?” Harvey had pressed his cheek to the door to whisper the words. He didn’t know if he would have been able to accept not seeing her tonight and this was the reason he stuck around outside her door for longer than he would have liked. People we still roaming around, the villa very much alive with energy.
His voice was barely audible but she’d heard him and only then realised that the sound was coming from the door. She rushed over and let him in.

“I think I fell asleep.” She admitted sheepishly, acutely aware of her appearance as his eyes roamed every inch of her. She’d just rolled off the bed; she had no idea how she looked. The need to stare at her reflection was reaching the heights of desperation.
Harvey reached out to cup her face, “Shall we take a nap then?” he kissed her forehead. A flash entered her eye, a trick of the light perhaps? Mia swore she saw offensive colours on his hands. She pulled his hands down and stared at them.

“What happened to your hand?” She’d dropped the healthy one and it fell to his side. The one that was speckled with dark shades of blue and purple across his knuckles was being inspected by her. Harvey sucked in a breath. He had no intentions of telling Mia he’d had an altercation with her husband.
If that could rightly be called an altercation. All it took was one single blow and it was over. Regardless, it wasn’t something he wished to talk about tonight.

“Did you get into a fight?” She quickly followed up in the silence, her eyes searching his now.
Harvey was struggling to find the words. He couldn’t lie to her, she wasn’t stupid. The evidence was very telling and yet he wanted to keep certain facts to himself for now. “You should see the other guy.” He shrugged his shoulders and gave her his most charming smile. It was a cliché response but he’d mistakenly overestimated its power to generate some light humour in her. She exhaled through her nose, her jaw set. She shook her head at him.

“I’ll get some ice for you.” Mia spun around, a million thoughts running through her head a minute. Was there even ice in this room? A cold drink in the mini-fridge maybe?
Harvey grabbed her by the shoulder and brought her body back against his. He hooked his neck over her shoulder. “No need, the tingling gives me satisfaction.” He replied softly, the vibrations in his tone calming her down. He didn’t need her to be a nurse for him. Following the incident, he’d headed back to his room, cleaned the area to ensure no cuts and showered before he came back to her.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” she leaned her head against him, only now realising that his hair was wet.

“You’ll find out eventually.” He said cryptically. She pulled out of his grasp and narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t like the sound of that.” Mia frowned. What reason could he or anyone else have to start a fight?
Harvey chuckled, “Do not worry, love,” he reached out and touched the silky strands of her hair. “I haven’t gone around picking fights since I was in high school.” It was if he was reading her mind? Mia hadn’t been able to wrap her mind around him in a physical fight. She didn’t think those things still happened for men and women their age. Perhaps, that was the teacher in her talking.

“So, you admit you were the one to pick the fight?” She further enquired, walking over to the bed and sitting down. She was still a bit dizzy from waking up too fast. Harvey followed her movements.

“Admit, no.” he said after much deliberation, sitting next to her. Did he actually pick the fight? He was certain there had to be some sort of provocation laws that may be able to help him defend his argument. “but did I choose to fan the flames instead of dousing them…yes.” He cocked his head to the side and admitted.
In a perfect world, Harvey could have ignored Gabriel’s disgusting words but he’d had to be quiet and ignore many things in business and life. Tonight, he was weak. In light of the unfortunate connections he shared with Gabriel, he should have kept his distance but he didn’t. He didn’t regret it though, there was a tiny bit of satisfaction in seeing Gabriel fall at his feet.

“Is this a usual afternoon for you?” Mia had taken hold of his arm and rested her head upon his shoulder.

“I can assure you it’s usually uneventful.” He gazed down at her head and smiled.

“Good to know.” She said softly, cuddling closer to him. Her eyes began closing down again

“Mia, I have something to ask you.” He didn’t want to waste their moments discussing irrelevant things but as they were on the topic of tonight, there were things he needed to sort out in his brain. The images of Nylah floating around in his mind. What was her connection to both Gabriel and Mia?

“What’s that?” she replied uninterestedly. She was surrounded by his warmth and heady scent, her concentration was low.

“You know someone named Nylah?” he asked, needing to ensure that was in fact the woman he saw Mia speaking to.

“Uh, yeah.” She answered, “She’s an attorney.” Mia continued, her curiosity remaining asleep, refusing to ask any questions. Thinking of Nylah only reminded her of her last chance to get away from Gabriel.

“The last time I saw you at the ice-cream parlour, was that the woman you were speaking too?” his voice was soothing, as hushed as the wind on a cold night.

“Last time…” Mia was searching through the fog in her head. The only moment that replayed in her mind from that day was Harvey walking out; she had to go deeper to remember. “Oh, yes.” She exclaimed, jumping up and staring at him in his eyes. “I’d completely forgotten, but yes, she saw me that day and came up to me.” Mia couldn’t for the life of her recall the actual conversation.

“How do you know her, exactly?” Harvey pressed for more information. Did she know that she was possibly one of Gabriel’s mistresses? She was to calm for his comfort.

“Remember I told you I tried leaving Gabriel and couldn’t?” She asked and when he nodded she continued, “I had gone to an attorney and was told that if I do I may lose my daughter and that attorney was Nylah.” She informed him, her tongue feeling dry in her mouth at the mention of it. The thought of losing Amiyah would never be an easy one to feel.
The wheels in Harvey’s head began turning. There is no way Mia would have gone to Nylah if she knew Nylah and Gabriel had a connection. He was also pretty sure Gabriel did business with the law firm that employed Nylah.

“By chance, do you have any idea if she knows Gabriel?” Harvey was measuring her reactions.

“No.” Mia said instantly but the look in his eyes was making her doubt her own knowledge. “Not that she indicated to me.” She altered her view. When she spoke to Nylah about Gabriel, she acted as if she’d never met him.

“Do they know each other?” Mia was beginning to feel sick. What were the odds? She didn’t know what to think.

“I am not quite sure, I just saw her tonight speaking to him, could be nothing.” He didn’t want to alarm her just yet, not when he was the only one capable of dealing with this for her. For now, he needed her to remain calm and ignorant.

“Was it her legal advice that caused you to stay in the marriage?” he pulled her attention to him.

“It was, she said he had a greater chance at getting full custody and even capable of erasing me from Amiyah’s life altogether.” She swallowed hard, pressing her lips together.

“You know I’m going to help you get out of that marriage, right?” Harvey gazed into her eyes with extreme intensity. He’d made up his mind.
“Harvey…” Mia sang exasperatedly.

“I love you, Mia., when I said those words to you last night I meant them. I am no longer asking your permission.” He said to her, grabbing her hands in his and giving them a reassuring squeeze.