"Ouch! Cold." Claus replied casually. "I just hope this sticks to your memory at least."
"Maybe when you help me find my husband." She answered.
"That's fair."
Silence once again comes in between the two. While Claus was focused on the road, Mia couldn't shake the memories of her parents' tragic end and the internal struggle between her lingering feelings for Claus. Even her quest to find her husband weighed heavily on her.
She remained silent, staring out the car window as they drove through the Connecticut streets.
"Mia," Claus called out when he sensed her unease. He decided to break the silence.
"what?" Mia snapped at him.
"Facil! What is with the mood just know. Did I cut you that deep?" Claus teases her.
"It is not funny" Mia snapped.
"Sorry."
Silence again took over. He didn't want to piss her off but was uncomfortable with her being worried too. After a while, Claus continued.
"Mia, I understand that you have every reason to distrust me. But I promise you, I had no part in whatever has happened to Rick."
"I believed you the first time you said it." Mia said dismissively.
"You did? As easy as that?" He asked further.
Mia looked at him briefly. "I know you, Claus. I can tell when you're lying."
"Really? You know me that much? Then what happened to us?" Claus asked, his gaze focused on Mia.
"You are driving. Don't get me killed before I find my husband." Mia retorted. She gestured to him to face the road.
"I'll have to die first before I let that happen to you." He mumbled.
Mia didn't grasp what he said. "Sorry?"
"See, it wasn't intentional. And I promise you, that is my greatest life regret. If there is anything I could do to heal that wound, tell me. I swear by my mother's grave, that is what I would be doing. I have even left my past behind."
Mia glanced at Claus, searching his eyes for any sign of deception. "Is there anything you can do?"
Claus understood the question. He can't possibly bring back her dead parents, and he can't replace them either.
"How about we start by finding your husband? Just trust me on this, okay?"
"I want to trust you, Claus. I want to do that so badly, but it's hard." Mia let out her concern.
"If I manage to trust you. What about others? What can you tell me about Cody? Can we trust him?" Mia questioned.
Claus nodded. "I understand you. Cody is a reliable contact. He's well-connected, and if anyone can help us locate Rick, it's him. Just try to keep an open mind."
"Hmmn." She muttered.
"Your focus should be on me, not any other person. You already have my word. I will find your husband," Claus added.
Mia's mind races, and she can feel her thighs tighten. Although she has a praise kink, sometimes Claus's words about himself turn her on.
Clause never promises people. When he says he will do it, he will definitely do it. This, among others, used to drive Mia crazy about him. She is surprised that something like that still works on her.
She was going to ask him about the drive's duration again when she noticed he was pulling up, right in front of a random house by the road. She looked around; it doesn't look like anyone stays around.
"This is where we're headed?" Mia asked, confusion evident in her tone as she scanned the quiet street, the random house sitting almost lifeless against the backdrop of trees.
"We passed our destination about three minutes ago," Claus replied calmly, shutting the engine off.
Mia's brow furrowed. "What? Why?"
He leaned back in his seat. His eyes flicking briefly to the mirrors. "Safety measures. If someone was trailing us, they'd reveal themselves when we slowed down. Better to circle back only when I know we're clear."
Mia stared at him, very convinced.
"So, we're just going to sit here?"
"Better than bringing visitors to Cody. He hates that more than he hates me."
The silence stretched for a moment before Claus broke it again, his voice quieter, softer.
"You're still as beautiful as ever, Cariño."
Mia stared back at him, her nerves dancing. She didn't know how to feel. Whether to be happy that Claus still finds her beautiful or to be cautious of the impending disaster that reality could cause.
"But you look unhappy." Claus added.
Her chest tightened at his words, but she quickly scoffed. "Seriously? Do you expect me to be happy when my husband's been kidnapped?"
Claus tilted his head slightly, studying her. "That's not all of it. I know you...enough. That sadness…it runs deeper than Rick's disapperance."
His accuracy stung, and she felt her defenses flare. The last time she's been genuinely happy was long before her marriage.
"Oh, really? You think you know everything about me now? You think you know how I've lived my life for the past two years?" Her voice rose as the weight of unspoken truth pressed on her chest.
He stayed silent. He could see where this was going. Her anger, her pain, and inevitably, her blame landing back on him. Claus had no interest in turning this moment into another battlefield. Instead, he exhaled slowly and shifted the car into gear.
"Time to go. We've waited long enough."
Mia turned to the window, still seething, though her heartbeat betrayed her, thudding in that old rhythm she hated. It was proof that Claus could still reach parts of her no one else could.
Finally, they arrived at Cody's house, a modest suburban residence nestled among similar houses. Mia looked around; unlike Claus's house, everything looked normal.
"Cody lives here?" Mia asked, confused.
Claus nodded.
"Are you kidding me now?"
It is quite unbelievable that someone like Cody lives in a place like that.
"Si. That abnormal human has managed to live a normal life." Claus chuckles.
He parked the car, and they both got out. Mia's heart pounded in her chest as they approached the front door.
At the door, Claus knocked, and Mia watched. It was a signature knock, and Cody answered the door almost immediately.
He is a tall man with a serious expression. He greeted Claus with a nod. "Is your track clean?"
"Trust me," Claus responded.
He then turned to Mia, sizing her up.
"You must be the muse," he said in a deep, gravelly voice.
"Mia. Mia Johnson." Mia quickly introduced herself.
That made Cody scoff. "Who doesn't know who you are."
Mia looked right at Claus. She questioned that statement with her eyes. Claus looked away, his attention back to Cody.
"Are you going to let us in, brother?"
"Depends. Do you want to come in, miss?" he directed the question to Mia.
Mia nodded, feeling nervous. "Yes, I want to. We need your help to…"
Cody interrupted her. "Shsssssh." He looked at Claus. "You've got a tape for your woman?"
Mia understood what she did. She has lived that kind of life with Claus before. Two years with Rick has made her lost control of that life.
Cody studied her for a moment before speaking. "Alright, let's get inside. We have a lot to discuss."
They entered Cody's house. Two young boys of age two and three are in the living room playing video games. It was Call of duty.
"Burst his head, baby. Cody said to the older one. Before moving close to them.
"Ok guys. I have a business to attend to. Now go to your room. Do not wake mummy and don't you ever come out to peep. Is that taken?"
"Yes Papa" They chorused before they ran inside.
"Your boys have grown" Claus said as he settled into the chair.
"As you can see. I am trying to love them before they lose it." Cody answered.
"Shit ain't easy" Claus added.
"Alright. Let's bring the pieces of the puzzle together." Cody said, his expression changing from casual to serious.
"What is your info? Claus asked. His voice has changed. Mia is not surprised. She has heard him use that voice on different occasions. Whenever he does, he is damn serious.
"Where is my payment?" Cody asked, looking straight into his eyes.
Claus hesitated for a moment. He then pulled out some cash from his back pocket. He dropped it on the small table beside Cody.
"A secret group," Cody said. Mia knew he speaks in that manner because of her presence."
"A group within a group? Tell me" Claus said.
"I can't. But I can show you." Cody responded.
"I'm in." Claus remarked.
"Your girl?" Cody asked.
"She's with me" Claus responded. He stole a glance at Mia.
"En realidad? Ella hará que te maten" Cody said, concerned.
Thanks to Claus, Mia understands Spanish to a default and she knew that Cody just told Claus that she's going to get him killed.
"She understands that." Claus added, smirking.
"Shit! You should have given me a heads up you know?"
Claus' smirk became wilder. "She's cool. Calm."
Cody looked at Mia for confirmation, but the latter didn't look like she has his time.
"Hang around. But please confirm your girl is on the same page. You know how this works. We move by 9 pm." Cody said before he stormed into the room.
As Cody disappeared into another room, Claus turned to Mia with a serious expression.
"Mia, this is where things get even more complicated. Shit is about to begin. Are you still in?
"You've got me?" She asked instead.
"You know I'll always do." He responded.
Mia nodded. "Then I'm in."