@"WHO is Ray Wilkins?"
Cameron glanced from the information on his computer screen he was perusing to Steve, who'd entered his office and was crossing the room to his desk. He'd anticipated something like this would happen at some point, and although Steve seemed only mildly curious at the moment, Cameron didn't expect his friend's calm to last once he explained Ray to him.
"Why do you ask?"
"Wes was doing some trace work on this guy while you were gone earlier," Steve replied. "He said it was for you, but I can't find a case file, so I was curious who he is and if he's a client of ours."
Cameron knew he could tell Steve it was personal and he'd immediately let it go and that would be the end of their discussion. But as partners, and friends, Cameron didn't want lies between himself and Steve. Especially if Steve found out the truth later-that his cousin, Mia, was being stalked and Ray Wilkins was a prime suspect. Even though Cameron had promised Mia he wouldn't involve her family in any way, he trusted Steve to be discreet, and that was what ultimately swayed his decision to tell his partner everything.
Cameron waved a hand toward the chair in front of his desk. "Why don't you sit down. There's something I need to tell you."
Steve lifted a dark brow as he settled his large frame in the seat. "Sounds serious."
"It involves Mia," Cameron said flat out.
"Mia?" Steve looked completely taken aback and then he smirked. "Did you find out she's seeing this guy, and you've got it so bad for her that you're running a background check to scrutinize his credentials?"
Cameron laughed, because it was amusing to think Steve believed he'd be jealous enough to secretly investigate someone Mia might be dating. But there was nothing remotely humorous about the actual situation and the reasons why he was trying to trace Ray and his past. And those answers were about to reveal his own relationship with Mia.
Sighing in resignation, Cameron tossed his pen onto his desk and leaned back in his chair. "Ray is a suspect in a personal case I'm pursuing, which also involves Mia."
Steve's entire demeanor took on a guarded edge. "In what way?"
Cameron explained everything from the beginning, about the pictures Mia had received by mail, her car being vandalized, and how there was a possibility Ray was behind it all. He also told Steve about Ray's abusive relationship with Mia's roommate, Gina, which was yet another reason to find out who Ray was and what was lurking in the other man's past.
Steve appeared stunned. "I don't get why Mia didn't come to me for help. It's not like the two of you are best buddies or anything… or are you?" His tone had turned gruff, and his gaze narrowed with suspicion.
Even from across the expanse of his desk, Cameron felt the heat of his partner's stare. "Mia came to me originally because she feels you guys are way too protective and smothering, and she didn't want you all invading her personal life or space over this. I agreed to help her out, and she made me promise I wouldn't tell you or her brothers what was going on. I figured as long as I was able to keep things under control, and her life wasn't directly threatened in any way, there was no reason to involve anyone else."
"If you haven't noticed, there's a reason why we're all so protective of Mia," Steve said wryly. "Not only is she the only girl and the baby of the family, she tends to be a bit reckless and wild at times."
Cameron had definitely seen that side to Mia, but over the past few weeks he'd also been privy to the woman beneath it all who wanted her family's acceptance more than their protection. "Have you ever thought that with all of you being so overly protective of Mia, it pushes her to be more rebellious just out of spite? You'd be amazed at what she can handle on her own."
A flicker of annoyance passed over Steve's features. "Jesus, when in the hell did you become Mia's protector?" Then, his gaze widened with stark realization. "Holy, shit. Have you and Mia finally hooked up?"
Cameron chose his next words carefully, because he wasn't altogether certain how Steve was going to react to his admission. "Mia and I are seeing one another privately, which is her choice, not mine. It sort of evolved out of me taking on this case." He wasn't about to tell Steve their affair started much earlier, like the night Mia had entered the wet T-shirt contest and tempted him beyond all reason.
"Well I'll be damned," Steve said with a sly grin. "Does anyone else know the two of you are dating?"
Dating. What a novel thought to actually be able to date Mia, out in the open and in public places, Cameron mused. So far, their involvement had all taken place behind closed doors, and that was something Cameron would love to change once the stalker issue with Mia was finally resolved. That is, if Mia allowed their relationship to progress beyond the case.
"Joel knows," Cameron admitted. "He kinda figured things out at your party this weekend." He deliberately left out the more intimate details of Joel's discovery.
"And he didn't kick your ass right then and there?"
"No." Amusement tugged up one corner of Cameron's mouth, along with a good dose of surprise, considering how well Steve was handling the news. "Should he have?"
Steve laughed, a deep, hearty sound. "Naw, he's probably grateful, as I am, Mia is with someone we all know and trust."
Cameron couldn't help but marvel over both Joel's and Steve's similar responses. He'd expected the worst, and instead had come to realize that he'd completely underestimated both of their reactions. They were just looking out for Mia's welfare, and it was nice to know they thought so highly of him.
If only Mia would put as much trust in him as her brother and cousin had, he'd be a happy man.
Realizing how far off track their discussion had gone, Cameron attempted to steer the conversation back to business. "About Ray Wilkins," Cameron said, relieved to have the focus off him and Mia. "I attempted to do a background check on him and came up with a dead end on his current identity, which was why I put Wes on the trace for me." Especially because the guy was such a genius with computers and finding out information through the Internet. "I was hoping he'd find some kind of lead on the guy that maybe I missed."
Steve nodded, and after a thoughtful minute finally replied. "Well, now that I know what's going on, I'll find out what I can on this guy, as well, and make it top priority with Wes."
"Thanks," Cameron said. "I appreciate it."
Determination and a lifetime of being protective of Mia-an emotion Cameron knew was purely instinctual-darkened Steve's features. "Whoever is messing with Mia is going to have hell to pay once we catch up with them."
Cameron had no doubt of that, because he planned to be the one who confronted that person.
THE deed was done. As soon as Gina hung up the phone after ending things with Ray, and cutting him off mid-rage, she and Mia put their agreed-upon plan into action. Mia grabbed her small suitcase, Gina picked up hers, and they left the apartment for the weekend, with Mia heading to Cameron's and Gina to her sister's. The phone began ringing immediately, and because Gina had disengaged her answering machine, at least she wouldn't come back home on Sunday to vicious, nasty messages from Ray.
"That felt good," Gina said, and Mia knew a huge burden had been lifted from her friend's shoulders.
"It was the right thing to do." Mia smiled at Gina, wanting her to believe that without question. Unfortunately, she didn't think this was the end of Ray, despite the restraining order Gina had issued against him before making the final call. "Now you can go to your sisters and enjoy the weekend with her and your nieces."
"Oh, I plan to," she said as they headed down the pathway to the front of the complex. "And what about you? You'll be okay for the weekend?"