Rock Me Slower (Licks of Leather #3) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,78

the exit.

“Thanks, Oz…for everything.” She slid her slender fingers into my palm.

I wrapped mine around hers and pulled her in against my chest. “Don’t thank me, sweetheart. I haven’t done anything.”

“Yes, you have. More than you know.” She leaned in and kissed me lightly.

Drawing in a deep breath, Mia grabbed her purse and smoothed a hand over her basic black dress as we fell in behind Ross. The big drummer stepped through the opening, then paused and called over his shoulder, “We’ve been spotted. Press is running this way. Hurry. Let’s get her in fast.”

With a mumbled curse, I nudged Mia in front, sandwiching her between Ross and me, before we rushed down the stairs and into the big black stretch limo sitting on the tarmac. I appreciated the warning, appreciated the fact that Duke, Mick, and all the guys from Licks were going above and beyond to show Mia kindness and help her through this tragic time.

“This is one of those days I wish I was just an ordinary person,” Mia said softly as the driver peeled away, leaving the press in the dust.

“Yeah, but then the world would miss out on your incredible voice,” Mick reminded with a crooked smile.

“So, Nigel is the one who discovered you?” Duke asked.

“No.” Mia shook her head. “Oz discovered me. Nigel was the one who introduced me to the right people.”

Duke sent me a scowl. “Why didn’t you do that?”

Yeah, I’d asked myself that same question ad nauseam for years.

“Things were…” I snapped my jaw shut, wishing I could break his for the millionth time, and sent the nosy prick a glare.

“Complicated.” Mia finished for me, then added, “It all worked out the way it was supposed to.”

Did it? Not from my point of view. If I’d known then what I knew now, everything would be different. Every fucking thing.

While the others made small talk, I silently chewed on the choices I’d made with Mia. It was too late to fix them, but what I wouldn’t give to turn back the hands of time.

“Whatever is going through your brain, stop,” Mia whispered softly while Syd began mouthing off, trying to lighten the tension hanging heavily in the air, like he always did. “It was an innocent question. Duke doesn’t know about us…about the way we used to be.”

“So you don’t resent me for not helping you back then?”

“Oh, no. I hated your ass for it,” she stated bluntly. “But I’ve grown up. I see now that I put you in a no-win situation. Not just with the guys but us as well. I’m sorry, Oz. I wish I could go back in time. I’d change everything.”

I’d waited seven long years for those two fucking words to roll off her tongue. Now that they had, there was zero triumph…zero victory thundering through me as I’d envisioned. There was nothing but melancholy sadness seeping into my pores and the debilitating ache of the happiness we’d lost squeezing my heart.

The fact that we both wished we could go back and make different choices planted seeds of hope. Of course, I had no business trying to cultivate the impossible, but I couldn’t stop myself.

I cupped her cheek and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “Me too.”

Mia rested her head on my shoulder as we wound through the heavy traffic toward Hollywood Hills.

“Motherfuck,” Ross spat, peering out the window. “Goddamn vultures.”

In front of the funeral home, the press was lined up, three…some places four deep. I could see them all but licking their lips and flashing their fangs.

“Did you honestly expect anything less?” Burk chided.

When Mia lifted her head and gazed at the horde, a shiver rippled through her. “I didn’t. It was destined to be a media circus. And it is.”

“We’ll surround you and get you inside safely. And this time, you’re going to let us. Understood?”

A guilty smile tugged her lips. “I will. Yes.”

When the limo finally plowed through the throng and came to a stop at the curb, Quinn scanned us grimly.

“Ross, Mick, and I will go out first. Burk and Oz, you follow, flanking Sofia and Mia. Syd, Darren, and Duke will bring up the rear. We’ll move together in a tight circle, and for god’s sake, nobody say a thing. I’m not giving those cocksuckers any soundbites today.”

A collective rumble of agreement filled the air.

“You ready?” I asked Mia.

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Let’s do this.” I nodded pointedly at Quinn.

Pouring from the vehicle in his designated order, I clutched Mia’s elbow tightly