Stitch

work. He works with my brother.”
“So?” Alex replied.
“So, that’s why.  You know, the secret unwritten rule. Ace even lectured me when I was younger and he first joined the teams and brought guys home when they were on leave.”
Alex made an odd noise with her mouth. “I don’t know, Mia. Your brother may surprise you. Look, just have fun tonight. And just think a couple more days, and then we can all hang out together,” She squealed in delight. “Plus, I need a drinking partner. Tubby here next to me still has a few more weeks before she can have a drink.”
“Hey! I resent that.” Tenley interjected but laughed along.
“What about Autumn and Bailey?”
“Autumn’s been busy with Cody, plus I think she and Frost are trying for a baby,” Alex whispered. “But you didn’t hear that from us. And with Bailey still recovering from her ordeal, Irish has a short leash on her, so alcohol for them is definitely out of the question. And, I hate to drink by myself.  It’s no fun.”
Mia was laughing so hard her abs started to hurt. Right at that moment, she turned her head and locked gazes with Elijah. He stood at the other end of the hall, watching her. He looked so authoritative in his stance and the way he just nodded his head as people passed by him. But he never took his eyes off of her. Her smile faded at the thought that he could be upset because she disappeared for a little bit.
“Listen, ladies, as much as I would love to stay on the phone and chat, I really need to get back.  My boss is staring at me.”
“Oh…he is sexy too. You know, the tall, dark and dangerous type,”  Tenley said, and she wasn’t wrong.  Elijah was very attractive.  A little out of her age range as he was in his mid-fifties.  He was fun to look at, but that was all she was willing to do. She and he had a pure working relationship.  Her dad had taught her long ago not to shit where she eat.
She said good-bye to Alex and Tenley. She put away her phone as she walked toward Elijah. Elijah met her eyes, and he flashed her that sexy smile of his. Tenley wasn’t wrong; he was a good-looking guy, and the tuxedo he wore added to his appeal. The way it molded against his body, she knew it had to have been custom made and probably cost a fortune.
“Is everything okay?” He asked, placing a hand on her waist and giving it a little squeeze. It was a repetitive gesture he had done most of the night while he escorted her around the room, introducing her to the City’s finest.
She smiled up at him. “Yes, sorry about disappearing. It was my brother’s fiancé, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“No worries. With the way you were smiling, I’m assuming everything is good?”
“Yes, she just called to say hi.”
“Good. There are a few more people I’d like to introduce you to. Shall we?” He asked, gesturing back toward the ballroom with one hand while his other was glued to her lower back.
“Sounds great. Lead the way, boss.” She joked and gave him a grin.
He smirked before taking her hand and leading her through the double doors back into the ballroom.  Elijah waved to people as they passed through. They were headed toward the bar in the far corner of the room when she noticed a group of men standing just to the left of the bar. When one of the men turned, Mia’s eyes widened as she locked gazes with her ex, Terek.  Instantly she felt sick. He did a double-take and looked taken back by her presence, but quickly masked his shocked expression.
She had met Terek a little over a year ago at a bar not too far from her apartment. They exchanged phone numbers, and soon after, they started dating. Though they were compatible with one another, and he treated her well, the relationship never blossomed. There just wasn’t a “wow” factor. She hadn’t seen or spoken to him since the night she had caught him with the other woman.
As they joined the group, Elijah introduced her to everyone. She recognized a couple of the men who worked for the City and were clients of the clinic. Demitri was there as well, and when he took her hand and brought it to his lips, she thought Terek was going to make a scene. He tried to hide his displeased expression by taking a drink from his glass. When Elijah turned to Terek, Terek was quick to extend his hand for a shake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mia.” He told her, acting as if they had never met before, and it confused her. Did he just speak with an English accent? She went to question his greeting, but something in his gaze told her to keep her mouth shut. She shook his hand and gave him a questionable look, but he ignored her reaction and went back to his conversation with the guy next to him. His rejection pissed her off.
She took a step back, feeling somewhat rejected by Terek’s actions, and found herself between Demitri and Elijah. Demitri bent down and whispered in her ear, “You look ravishing.”
She smiled up at him. “Thank you.” She replied.
“Have you enjoyed yourself this evening?”
“I have. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
“I hope Elijah has taken good care of you.”
Elijah looked over at Demitri. “Cool it,” He told Demitri, and Demitri smirked before looking down at her and winking. The men then went back to their conversations. As the minutes ticked by and the men showed no slowdown with the business talk, Mia turned her attention toward the bar and ordered a drink. As she waited for the bartender to mix her cocktail, she couldn’t stop thinking about the man who stood just a few feet from her. Her surprise run-in with Terek had put