One Wild Night

Even though Harry was there for serious business, he couldn't help but look around at the apartment he had gotten Tom on short notice for his crazy pursuit of Lucy.

Now it seemed like all of that had happened such a long time ago, when it was only three months ago.

"I'm sorry to bother you in the middle of the day," Harry said as he focused on Mia, and then shifted his gaze to Jeff as he wondered why they had not answered the call immediately, and why it seemed like there was some sort of tension between the two.

"It's not a bother. I'm glad you're here. I was going to inform you about what Alicia told us, but Jeff said he told you about it already," Mia said as she gestured for him to sit.

"What can I offer you? Wine? Tea? Coffee?" She asked, standing there like a proper hostess.

"Your time," Harry said as he gestured to Mia to sit down.

Mia exchanged a worried glance with Jeff before prep wedding to take the seat opposite Harry, and Harry didn't miss how Jeff sat beside her like a supportive partner.

"We looked into the plate number that was sent last night. The car belongs to a private investigator firm called Discreet Investigations," Harry said and held Mia's gaze, allowing the implication of his words to sink in.

Although she had suspected it, that didn't stop the cold dread that coiled in her stomach or the fear that washed over her at the thought of Henry knowing exactly where she was and that she had fooled him.

Feeling vulnerable and exposed, she wrapped her arms around herself, and Jeff placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It's Henry. I know it. He sent them. What do we do now?" Mia whispered, fear lacing her voice.

"We will move on with our plans. Now that he knows you are alive, or is probably still just suspecting it, you should take the bold step of giving him a call and asking for a divorce," Harry said and Mia's eyes bulged.

"A call?" She asked, recoiling at the thought of talking to her husband.

"Yes, Mia. I am here. Jeff is here too…."

"No. You don't understand. You can't understand. I can't talk to him. I don't want to talk to him," Mia protested, at the verge of tears.

Jeff felt her body tremble under his hand which was resting on her shoulders, and he sighed, "Can't her just send him the divorce papers? Does she really need to speak to him?" Jeff asked with a concerned frown.

"She has to. There is no easy way around this," Harry said to Jeff before facing Mia again, "I'm not asking you to meet with him. But if you want to be free from him, you'd have to face him sooner or later. If he senses that he still has an iota of power or control over you, despite the distance and despite all the time you've spent away from him, he would use it against you," Harry said reasonably.

"He's going to kill me. You won't be able to save me from him," Mia said fearfully.

"If you truly believe that, why did you ask for my help? Why didn't you just run off to start over somewhere else?" Harry asked and Mia took a deep breath.

"Because I have so many wonderful people around me and I don't want to leave. I would rather stay here and fight than run away," Mia said, and Harry nodded.

"Good. Then fight. How can you say you are fighting if you won't even talk to him? If you can't even talk to him over the phone, what would you do if he shows up here to confirm for sure that you're alive?" Harry asked and Jeff nodded.

"Harry is right, Mia. You should summon the courage to face him. I know you. You are brave and strong. You can talk to him. You can yell at him the way you do to Bryan and I when we screw up," Jeff said and Mia frowned.

"That's different…"

"It's not. You are going to have to face him now or later. The sooner you do, the better. Someone like him won't sign any divorce papers you send unless he sees you or talks to you. Why? He would want to confirm that the power differential between you both is still in place. Our role is to protect you from him to make sure any physical harm doesn't come to you. But only YOU can end things with him properly. You only need to find the courage," Harry said, and Mia took a deep breath.

"Alright. I will," Mia said, and Harry nodded with approval.

"Good. I will call him now…"

"NOW? Like right NOW?" She asked, and Harry nodded.

"Yes, Mia. Right now. I told you we are acting fast. Before he confirms your existence for himself, you need to reveal it yourself. Else, he can change the narrative," Harry said, and Mia nodded.

"Okay. Let's do it. Let's call him then. I will get my phone…"

"No. Let's use my phone," Harry suggested.

"Your phone?"

"Yes. That way he knows I'm involved and he can't just reach you…"

Mia shook her head. "I don't think he should know you are involved yet. I will call him myself. Listen in on the call so you can better understand the kind of person he is," Mia said and Harry nodded.

"If that's what you want. Let's do it," Harry said but Jeff shook his head.

"Why not use my phone? He won't know it isn't Mia's phone. And…"

"Stay out of it, Jeff. I don't want you to get involved directly. If a private investigator was snooping around here, chances are, he already knows of your existence. And trust me, Henry is a very jealous and dangerous man. He is terrifying," Mia said and Jeff nodded.

"You've made that quite clear. But that doesn't mean I'm going to be afraid of him. He's a man just like me…"

"No. He's nothing like you. And he's not a man. Henry is a beast. A wild one that hides behind his charitable deeds. If you want to help me, help me on my terms. I will go get my phone," Mia said, and with that she walked away to go get her phone.

"Do you think it's okay for her to contact him with her own phone?" Jeff asked and Harry nodded.

"She might be terrified of him, but she is smart. I expected her to offer to call him directly. It's best he doesn't know anyone else is involved right now," Harry said and Jeff's brows pulled together.

"Then how will you be helping her? Will she really be alright? Will you be able to protect her from him?" Jeff asked, and Harry arched a brow.

"Will you be able to protect her from him?" Harry retorted.

"I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe," Jeff said and Harry nodded.

"Then I suppose we should be glad we have you to protect her from him then," Harry said and Jeff scowled at Harry who in turn grinned at him.

Mia returned with her phone and as she sat down, she looked at Harry, "I think I should let you know for the last time that Henry is dangerous, and things can get very dangerous and complicated for you…"

"You don't know me, Mia," Harry said simply.

"Can you not get involved? I mean, not directly. I don't want Henry to know I have anyone with me on this. I won't be able to live with myself if anyone of you gets hurt because of me. And I also think it will be better for him to deal with hidden enemies he doesn't know who are just as powerful as he is. I will rather have you behind me as a hidden card," Mia said, and Harry looked at Jeff.

"I told you she's smart, didn't I?" Harry asked and Jeff frowned.

"Mia, no one is going to get hurt…"

"I was married to him for years. I know Henry. You don't. If I'm going to fight, I will rather fight my own way. I'm glad to know I have you all behind me. That alone gives me the courage I need. I will give him a call now," Mia said, and even though she was trembling inside, she dialed the number that was still very much etched on her memory and placed the call on speaker so that Harry and Jeff could listen in on the phone call.

It didn't take long before the familiar voice came up, sending a shudder down her spine, "Henry Rosewood speaking," he said in his usual arrogant tone.

Mia swallowed past the lump that had formed in her throat as her heart thudded really fast against the walls of her chest, "It's Mi… Vanessa," she said in a shaky voice that was unfamiliar to both Jeff and Harry.