The Defender

Chapter 1

Mark sat at the bar as hedrank his beer and ate his dinner. His dark hair was cut short andcropped close to his face. His red bandanna wrapped around his headand dark sunglasses on top. He took a bite of his steak as hisattention went to the TV that was blaring the news loudly.

"Yo,Mark" Roger walked up to him and patting him on the back taking aseat next to him at the bar. Roger was buff with short dark hair ashe walked over in a t-shirt and jeans. He raised a finger and thebartender got him a beer. "How's it going?"

"Hey, Roger.Same old some old" He said and turn to talk to him a bit. Rogerlooked up at the TV as he caught a bit of what they were talkingabout on the news.

"How are the kids?"

"Grown"Mark laugh at him as Roger's beer was placed. "They call when theyneed something other then that nothing special."

"You needsomething to fill your time." Roger started and Mark looked at himand straighten up as he placed his fork and knife on the empty plate."Now, I know that look... just listen to me." Roger started andMark sat back his arms crossed against his chest. Roger begins totell him how becoming a bodyguard and he has everything that he needsto know already and it would be something to make his days pastfaster while he still makes money.

"Okay and if I take thisjob of yours," Mark asked, "how long is this job needed?"

"Afew months," Roger said and finished his beer. "I am sure I canmake it worth you're wild." He paused and waited for Mark's nextquestion. The TV blared as both men look up at the news.

"Thepolice have been called to Actress Mia Reyes' home for the fourthtime this week. There seems to be a stalker that keeps breaking intoher actress home even tho she is not currently there. Mia is theworking on her new movie "Hand Raised" which brings to light ateacher and student relationships. Police said that no trespasserswere found on the property. " There was some B roll video's playedof an average high female with auburn hair and green eyes with asmall muscle built. Mark enjoyed watching the actress move across thescreen. The news anchor came back on the screen and the men looked ateach other.

"So, I have a job already in the pipeline whichI would think that you would like," Roger said and took a drink ofhis beer.

"Yeah, the way you're describing the life... itwould be very different." Mark chuckled a little took a drink ofhis beer.

Dean looks over the papers sitting on his desk. Heran his hand through his short dark hair as he tried to think of whathe needed to do next. There has to be a way to change what is goingon. He took a deep breath as there was a knocking on the door. "Comein" He called and it the door opened.

"Hi, Dean" theauburn bubbly girl walks in with a smile on her face.

"Mia!"Dean says and stand up walking around the desk to her and hugs hertightly. "I am glad you came in."

"Of course" Shesmiled and hugged him and the motion to her to take a seat.

"Howare things in the movie?"

"Good good" She smiled andcrossed her legs and leaned forward a bit her top showing a bit ofher cleavage as her eyes scanned his desk "So you're reading thetrash"

"Well, I think that you need to start being carefulabout things out there" He picked up a bunch of papers and placedthem top of each other. He took a deep breath and looked at Mia. Hewas just going to have to say it outright "Mia, your young and thisis the first big movie that you need to take precautions on thisstuff."

"Yes I see where you are coming from, but I don'tneed a babysitter" She huffed at him a bit.

"Roger hasthis guy in mind. He will defiantly be the type of person that wouldstop anyone in their tracks from trying to get to you." Mia rolledher eyes at Dean as she really did try to listen to him, but was nothappy about what was going to transpire. "So, I want you to workwith each other and make sure that you are safe and above all can youplease listen?"

"Yes Sir," She said with a giggle in hervoice and Dean looked at her and just rolled his eyes.

"Roger"He called and the door opened. Two very large men walked in and onepointed to the chair and the other one sat down. Mia looked at thegentleman that sat next to her. He was nice to her eyes gently gazingover his ripped body his rugged look of not being shaved for a fewdays. His hair short and buzzed cut and sunglasses still on even thohe was inside the building now. She shifted in her chair as he tooka seat. "Damia this is Mark... Mark this is Damia," Dean said andhe turned to her and stuck out his hand and the two of them shookhands.

"Its Mia" Mia said with a smile her green eyeslooking staring at him as he lowers his glasses to look at her andthen push them back up.

"Yes Ma'ma," Mark said and hissouthern draw showed its color in his words. His heart raced a bit ashe began to put the dots together. He began to automatically start totell himself that he needed to just see this as a job.

"Mia...Mark will now be in charge of your security and will follow you anyplace you go," Dean told her and her mouth dropped at the bit. "Hewill stay in the guest room of the rental"

"Dean, don'tyou think that this is just a bit much?"

"No," He saidshortly "Enjoy your new teammate" Mia turned her head to Mark andsmiled as he minds raced with the words you have no idea what you'rein for.

"First thing is that I will need a copy of youragenda," Roger said and looked at Mia who was already wanting tofire her mouth off.

Mia stood up and waved her hand in a magicwand type of way with a smile " Dean will produce it." Deans eyejust about bugged out of his head as Mia walked out of the room. Markgot up and ran after her as she walked down the hallway.

"Damia"Mark called to her and she turned around with the wrath of hell inher eyes. She stomped back at him and she stops nose to chest withhim.

"Don't you ever call me that name!" She said slow andhard to him as she pointed at his chest. She was making her pointloud and clear to him. Mark smiled as he listens to her a bitsurprised that she had the spunk to turn around and tell him abouthimself. She poked him once more and then turned and walked away. Mark smirked as he followed her and shook his head. He was in for atreat.

Roger meets up with Mark in front of the rental. "Iwill go in with you and get the ground rules laid out."

"Yeah,you go ahead and do that. I am sure this feisty one will give you apiece of her mind." Roger looked at him and raised an eyebrow witha smile. This was not Rogers first rodeo and knew what had to besaid. Roger started to walk into the house and Mark followed. Markclosed the door behind the very expensive house. He was a bit amazedthat a young lady like her self had such a place.

"Yourquarters are right over here right off of the front door." Markplaced his bags at the door and then followed Roger as they walkedinto the kitchen watching Mia pouring her self a drink.

"Yougentlemen want a drink?" She asked a bit dry as she looked upeyeing up Mark coming in slowly behind Roger. He leaned himself upagainst the way and just watched what was going to happen.

"NoMa'am" Roger started as he walked up to the aisle and took a seatplacing his papers on the aisle. "We need to place some groundrules"

"Thank you, Sir, but I have had enough of yourrules today." She took a long sip of her wine and took a look atMark. "Dean might believe that I need a babysitter, but I been finehere on my own."

"Are you even 21?" Mark asked and sheplaced her glass down on the counter.

"Are you 21?" Shegiggled as she repeated the question and took another sip "For yourinformation, I am just a few months older than my 21st birthday."She stood in silence and stared at Mark who stared back at her.

"Well yes," Roger brought the attention back to him."There are a few rules we must go over," He said once more andMia was getting tired of playing is little game. She rolled her eyesas he allowed Roger to read off of the papers on the counter. Miacontinues to sip her wine until the glass was gone. She sighedheavily and finally got Roger to shut his mouth more than a breath ofair.

"So, since you finally shut the hell up. Leave yourlittle contract on the table and I will deal with it later. I am sureDean has read all the juicy little tide bits about." She could feelher cheeks getting flush with the wine or maybe her mind, but eitherway, it was time for Roger to take his leave. She ran her handagainst her cheek as she closed her eyes. She turned around and tookout the bottle of wine again and poured herself another glass.

"Damia, with all respect I need you to sign this contracttonight." Roger said and Mark crossed his arms and re-positionedhimself up against the wall with a smile on his face as Rogercontinued to speak "Mark will get himself situated in the quartersdown the hall-"

"Bite your tongue right this minute!"Mia started cutting off Roger who now sat straight up in his chair."I had about enough of your games and enough of your mouth. My nameis Mia Reyes NOT Damia and since you barely can get that right youcan leave your stupid papers and I will sign it when I am ready too."She took a small sip "Your baboon can return them" She tookpicked up her wine and walked over to Mark and he stood up straightas she took steps very close to him. He took a deep breath of herscent in as it tickled around his nose. He took the deepest breath hecould her scent was inviting him to lean in even more. "Takenote... don't be an ass like him" She stopped pulling his ear downto her and whispered softly and sexy to him before she walked pasthim. His eyes staring up and down her every move she made as shewalked up to the stairs.

"Well, um, Mark here is thecontract the places that need to be signed are marked." Roger saidand Mark turned his head to him "Once she signed it... keep it andI will come back in a few days to pick them up" Roger slapped hisshoulder and smiled a bit "It's just a mouthy little teen...nothing more" He said and smiled and Mark smiled back. "Just someadvice... don't let her out of your sight."

"I raised 4 ofthem... I am sure this one will be no different" He chuckled as hesaw Roger out of the house. He locked the door behind him and wentinto his quarters and started to unpack his things. Mark put the TVon low as it filled the area with noise. The quiet of the house wasuneasy to him yet as he got himself use to his area. He sat at thesmall desk and opened his laptop and started to do his own researchon a "Damia Reyes."

Mia woke up early that morning andheaded downstairs into the small gym area and started her work out.She wore a work out bra with a baggy t-shirt on top and some yogaleggings. Her hair was up in a high ponytail as she continued on herway. She looked at the time and was hopeful that she would befinished with her workout by 6:30 am.

Mark rolled around hismind not quieting down. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceilingfor a while. The house was silent with not many cars even going upand down the street. Mark gave up and got up looking at the clocksaying 6:45 am. He turned on the water for the shower and began toget himself ready for the day.

Mia still had his headphones inher ears as she danced around the kitchen as she started to make somebreakfast. She turned her back around as she started to cook the eggsover the stove and put some cheese on top of them. She wiggled herhips to the song as Mark walked into the kitchen.

"GoodMorning Mia," He said and took a seat at the aisle next to thepaperwork and in front of two cups of coffee. He noticed they stillwere not signed. Mark tilted his head noticing that Mia was dancingto music that he couldn't hear. He smiled and decided to just take inthe sights, after all, she was not bad to look. His mind races with amillion thoughts as Mia turned around and caught her breath.

"Mark!"She gasped and then quickly pulled out her earbuds "I didn't hearyou come in"

"How could you when you have those things inyour ears?"

"I was just trying to be polite" She rolledher eyes and started to serve the eggs onto the two places. Sheplaced the hot frying pan into the sink with the spatula. "I hopeyou eat eggs." She said and reached for both the plates and walkedaround next to Mark and set on of the plates down in front of him. Hecould smell her sweet scent coming from her.

"I do. Thankyou" He said and she looked up at him her green eyes meeting hisand she smiled. She walked around behind him and took the chair nextto him pushing the paperwork out of her way.

"I have to beon set at 8. Are you going to follow me there too?"

"Yes,"He said and took a drink of the coffee that was in front of him. Miasighed a bit and her eyes went over to the paperwork.

"I amnot a child. I don't need a babysitter" She paused and Mark smiledand looked over at her.

"How about look at it as a partner"He paused "You will always have company... and a friend." Mialaughed a bit

"Well," She turned the paperwork around toher and started to read it "I guess I am stuck signingthis."

"Unfortunately, yes. Dean believes that you are insome type of danger."

"Dean is always so cautious. Hedidn't want me to even take this roll at first, but once he startedto see the payout." She paused "Maybe you are right... I need apartner" She smiled a bit and thought to her self at least havingMark around my eyes candy couldn't be that bad.

The twofinished their breakfast and Mia left the kitchen to go get dressed.Mark waited for her to come back downstairs as he made his waythrough the house once more making sure everything was in place. Helooked down at the paperwork Roger left. He saw she still didn't signit. He figured that he would just speak to her about itlater.

"Mark?" Mia called to him and a smile came acrosshis face as he lifted his head up.

"Coming," He said andwalked out of the kitchen. Mia looked at him with a faint smile onher lips. "You ready... let's go knock them dead," He said and heopened the door walking out first to look around and Mia followinghim. The two of them got into the car and began to chat about themovie while they made their way to the set.

Mark got out ofthe car and then Mia as they walked into the set. Mark put hissunglasses down over his eyes. Mia noticed and tilted her head a bitas now she couldn't tell where he was looking. It sort of botheredher, but she understood. Michael walked up to her as he still playedwith his blonde hair on the top of his head.

"Mia!" Hecalled and hugged her and Mark followed the two as Michael walked herto makeup and continued to talk on and off about his life. Mia lookedover her shoulder and looked at Mark who noticed that she was lookingat him and nodded his head. Mia walked into makeup and closed thedoor behind her. Mark stood outside the door and watched all thepeople running around the set.

"Woah, Sorry big man. Ididn't see you there" Michael said as he walked out of the makeuproom and almost ran into him. Mark stepped aside even more and justlooked at him. "I am Michael Davis. I am a male lead." He put outhis head and Mark shook it.

"I am Mark. Mia'sbodyguard"

"Nice to meet you," Michael said and smiledat him. Mark did not flinch "Your one lucky man?"

"Whyis that?" He asked

"Mia Reyes... She is the next bigthing. Plus who wouldn't want to be with that" He paused as Markdid not change his facial expression?

"She is my client, butthanks for the advice"

"Not a problem, bro," He saidwith a smile on his face and he walked away. Mark began to wonder ifeveryone in Hollywood was lacking the common sense or was it justhim. Mark stood there and just waited around until Mia came out ofmakeup.

"Hi, I need to go get my outfit on" Mia said andlooked up at him. Her hair was up in pigtails and she looked a lotyounger then she already did. Mark was not sure about how he feltabout this. Mia walked over to another room and Mark followed a fewsteps behind her. He began to understand how controversial the movieshe was making.

Mark stood on the side of the set as hewatched Mia and Michael interact as no one would think for aschool-age child to act. Mia stood along the side of the desk thatMichael sat at. She played with her hair as she delivered her lines"But Mr. Miller... I never did anything like that before".

"Cut!"The director called and jumped down off his chair and walked over toMia. "I need you to say these lines with more innocents... morechildlike," He said to her and repeated a few of the lines. Markwatched him coach her a few times as she stood there with her shortdress. She repeated the line over and over as she walked around theroom and then back at the desk. She placed her hands on the desk andthe director yelled "Action!"

Michael said his line andthen placed his hand on top of her. Mark noticed that this wasdifferent than the first few times that they did this scene. It threwoff Mia and she said her line and it was innocent as it could be.Michael continued to do the scene. Mark watched him guide Mia to siton his lap. Mark's stomach began to flop around. Michael portraying ateacher basically seducing a child. Michael continued to deliver hislines. Mia looked up at him innocent and closed her eyes and Markbegan to see her as a child having her first kiss with this adult. Hecouldn't believe that something this controversial was going to beshown.

Mark stood outside the dressing room while Mia waschanging for the day. He felt a bit dirty that he just watched thisevent happen. He knew that Mia was the legal age, but to have herdressed as a child and act like a child. It was just wrong to him.Mia came out of the dressing room. Her hair still in ponytails. "Youready?" She asked and Mark heard the question too innocently forhim. He walked out first to the car and Mia followed a few stepsbehind. Mark was still quiet and Mia finally broke thesilence.

"What's wrong?" She asked and looked at him "Iam sure you knew what the movie was about."

"Well yes Idid, but it is just so different to see it... played out in front ofme"

"Um, yes that is what a movie does."

"Iguess it is just me."

"I am of legal age. I am justplaying a part." She paused "That is what people do notunderstand. This is a situation that some of the students, male andfemale, go through on a daily bases. I am just being a voice forthose children that can not speak for themselves." She started topull at her ponytails making her hair loose and wild "Thesechildren are victims and do not even know that they are since theadult in this situation is using them on their own advantages."

Mark understood that took a deep breath, and look at Mia. Heknew what she was saying and could see what she was trying to do.Mark watched Mia as she played with her wild hair sticking out fromall the sides. She reached over and grabbed the bottled water andopened it taking a few sips out of it. "We need to talk about thecontract... I know Roger is going to want me to have it signed andsent back."

Mia took a deep breath "Would it be better ifI just tell you I will look at it later?"

"How abouttonight?" He asked and Mia rolled her eyes as she slouched downdeeper into the chair.

"Dinner?" She paused and looked upat him "I will look over the contract over dinner... with you?"She smiled brightly as she liked the idea she was coming upwith.

Mark was a bit surprised by her comment and then justsmiled. "Sure," He said and his mind went a million miles aminute.

"I know the place to go to. Nothing too fancy,just be ready at 6" She said to him and the car stopped. Mark gotout of the car and then Mia. He walked into the house and Miafollowed closing the door behind him. Mia went upstairs and got intothe bathtub. She grabbed her cell phone and started to text herfriend Anna about making plans for Friday night. Mia was not the mostoutgoing purpose person since the start of this movie but felt likeit was time to hit the town this week.

Mark stood at theFourier as he tried hard not to pace. He wore black jeans and adecent top nothing too flashy, but he looked good. "Why am I evenbothering to try to win her over. This is Hollywood." his mindraced over and over. Mia walked down the stairs in black Capri withblack heels on. She wore a white off the one shoulder top. Her hairwas down in big curls " You ready?" she asked Mark with a smileacross her lips.

"Sure," He said and Mia walked into thekitchen quickly and grabbed the contract and put it into her purse.She walked back to the Fourier and Mark opened the front door andwalked out first. Mia followed him into the car in the driver seat.

Mia turned on the music to the car and started down the road.The two of them chatted as she drove to a steakhouse. Mia parked thecar "Tonight we are just normal people" She giggled a bit andlooked over at Mark who nodded with agreement. They both got out ofthe car and Mia waited for Mark in front of the car. He joined herand the two walked side by side with each other.

The hostessgreeted them "Hello, How can I help you?"

"Reservationunder Reyes" She paused and looked at Mark with a smile proud ofherself that he was even here with her.

"Oh yes right thisway," She said and lead the two of them to the table. The otherpatrons in the restaurant began to chatter as the two of them walkedthrough them. She knew it was just a matter of time before thepaparazzi was here. Mia sat down at the table and Mark sat acrossfrom her.

"I enjoy this place," She said and picked upthe menu "Order your self a beer lighten up a bit."

"Soundslike a good plan" He smiled and looked at the menu "You sure doknow what a man like me likes."

"Yeah, I took you for ameat and potatoes type of guy" She giggled and the waiter came overand took their drink order and quickly returned with drinks andfinished the rest of the order. "So, on Friday my friend Annawants to go out"

"That is fine. I can't see any harm inthat"

"Yeah, It will be fun," She said as she took asipped of her drink "So, tell me about you, Mark"

He tooka big drink from his beer "Well, I am been married twice anddivorced twice. I have 4 grown children. I have a very long-standingprofessional wrestling contract." He said and looked over at her ahalf smirk on his face. 'What am I thinking there is such an agedifference between us, not the mention Hollywood thing' Mark thoughtas he waited for Mia to start to talk. He took another sip of hisbeer.

"Sounds like you have a great life. Why become abodyguard?" She paused "I know about how much a professionalwrestler makes there is no need to really work."

"I needsomething to do to past the time." He said and was pretty honestwith the answer.

Mia took a sip of her drink and placed itdown "Well, to joining along for the fun-filled ride" She raisedher glass and smiled as she waited to Mark to tap her glass and drinkwith her. He did and they both took a drink and placed the glassesdown. The two ordered another drink as their food came. Mark gotright into his food. He could not wait. The food looked so good andhe was beginning to allow the alcohol to start to affect him.

"So,I guess since we both have some liquid courage and some food in ourstomach we should talk about this contract?" Mia brought up as shepatted her purse.

"You make it sound like some type ofjail," Mark said with a deep chuckle.

"Well it is part ofme signing my life away" She sighed and pulled out the papers "Itake my privacy very serious. I don't need someone who is going toleave me high and dry." She began to glance over them her eyescatching certain sentences of it. "What if I do not agree with someof the wording?"

"Cross it off," Mark said "Roger didnot tell me that you had to agree to everything. He said that youjust had to sign them" Mia tilted her head and smiled Mark wasright she began to think about how this could be fun. The only orderthat Roger gave him was to have her sign them. She could change thecontract in any way she feels fit.

The two of them finishedtheir drinks and paid for the meal. Both of them enjoying each otherand themselves like they haven't in a long time. Mia stood up fromthe table "I must use the restroom before we leave"

"Nota problem," Mark said and the two of them walked over there. Markstood outside waiting for Mia as she used the restroom. Mia took thistime to make sure she looked on point. She put her lipstick back onand waved her hand in front of her lips to dry down the matte color. She went back out and seen Mark standing there. She could not helpbut put her childish grin on her face as she looked up at him hercheeks becoming warm.

The two of them made their way to thefront of the building to get out to the car. Paparazzi swarm as oneof them called out to Mia. Mia put her hand on Mark's back as he puthis arms out to keep them at bay. She slowly made her way to the car.Mark put her in the passenger seat and walked around the front of thecar and got into the driver seat. He pulled down the blinders andstarted the car. He slowly pulled out of the space neither one ofthem saying a word.

Finally, all the lights were out of thereface "Still wanting to be part of this fun?" Mia asked as shelooked over at Mark his hand on the shifter and his face lookingstraight ahead. Mia never left anyone drives her car and here Markwas putting himself right in the line of action. Mia reached over andplaced her hand on top of his. She could feel his cool skin againsthers. Her heart began to race as she was not sure how he was going torespond tho this.

"Of course," He said and looked down ather. He could feel his heart began to beat fast and could not tell ifit was because of the alcohol or his own mind. He moved his fingerson his hand that was touching Mia and rubbed her hand softly. Hepulled in to her gated community and up into the driveway in the onthe hill. He put the car in park and got out of the car.

Miawatched him walk around the front of her car and opened her car door.He stretched out his hand and she took it, and in that split secondMia decided better do it now. She wrapped her arms around him andstood on her tiptoes even in heels and placed her lips right on his.The sparks between them flew. Her heart raced as he returned her kisswith passion and purpose. He picked her up in one motion and placedher sitting on the car. Their kissing getting deeper and deeper. Markgrabbed hair and pushed her body closer to him. She spread her legswrapping her legs around his hips. He pulled her head back her neckexposed to him and started there kisses and licking herneck.

"M-Mark" her lips uttered his name breathless as hefeverishly ran his hands against her back and his lips on her neck.He regained himself quickly and took a step back.

He gentlyrubbed her cheek and she leaned her head right into his hand "Ishould get you inside." He picked her up and placed her back on herfeet. He took her hand and the two walked into the house.

Marklaid in bed once more. His mind racing and replaying what hashappened last night. His body responding wanting more than just akiss that they had. He rolled over and looked at the clock reading at6 am. He got up and went to take a shower. He needed to cool off andget his attention back at the job at hand. He walked out of hisquarters and seen the papers sitting out on the table with a cup ofcoffee. He sat down in front of them and started to look through thepapers. He noticed the first thing that Mia signed the contract. Hethen started to see the rules that she crossed out. 'The bodyguardwill not have a sexual relationship with the client. The bodyguardwill not drink alcohol. The bodyguard will not accept gifts from theclient.' Mark stopped reading and folded the paperwork and placed itin his pocket. 'Well, she is allowing all doors and opportunities tobe open' He thought as he reached for the coffee and took a sip.

Miacame back downstairs and walked into the kitchen. She stood next tothe chair next to Mark. "You ready?" She asked with a smile hercheeks warmed. Mark nodded and the two of them headed out the doorMark first and Mia following.

Mark stood in the background ofthe set. He watched Mia play this child and he could feel the heatrise within him to want to put Michael in his place for touching achild. Mia and Michael continue acting out the scene in theclassroom. Mia sat on Micheal's lap as he pretended to teach hersomething on the computer. Micheal pushed aside Mia's hair andkissed her neck once.

Mia giggled "Mr. Miller, thattickles"

"Julie people that care for one another tickleeach other." He paused and moved his hands behind the desk so thatit was out of camera range. Mia jumped in his lap and he whisperedsomething to her.

Mark rolled his eyes behind his sunglassesas they continued. He could not stand that she was making such afilm. He knew that she was talented and knew where she was comingfrom. She was giving a voice to all those children that could notspeak. Mark crossed his arms in the front of his chest. Mia lookedover her shoulder and could see Mark just past Michael. Her heartbegan to rapidly beat as she looked at him. Micheal moved in to kissher and she closed her eyes. Her body starting to slowly respond.

Mark sat across from Mia at the aisle. The two of them notsaying a word to each other. Mia knew it had to do with the moviesince there was nothing else that could set him off like this. Shegot up not finishing her meal and took it to the sink. She placed herplate in the sink and grabbed her self a glass of wine. She looked atMark who focused on his plate and then walked out of the room to thedeck taking the bottle of wine with her.

Mark finished hismeal and then cleaned up the dishes. He didn't know what to say toMia. He began to see why some of the rules were in place. He couldnot separate himself from the bodyguard. He wants to be there forMia, but at the same time couldn't get past that child that sheplayed. Mark walked outside to the deck. He placed his hand on Mia'sshoulder. "Come inside your getting cold," He said and she rubbedher head against his hand. He stood in that position for a long timewaiting for her to move with no results. She cuddles into his handover and over. He finally bent down and picked her up walking withher in his arms back into the house. He placed her down on the sofaand she quickly fell asleep. Mark covered her up with a blanket andreturned to his quarters.

Mia was getting dressed upstairs togo out with the girls as she danced around the room taking sips ofher wine as she wore a small black mini dress with black heels. Shedidn't go out often but knew that everything will be fine since Markwas going to be coming along. She looked at her phone and seen thatAnna texted her.

'Come on miss famous it is time for some fun'Anna wrote

'Yeah yeah, I will be there shortly. Any papsthere?'

'Not until you arrive I am sure.'

Mia put herphone in her little clutch bag and pulled on her heels and ran downthe steps. "Mark you ready?" she called for him and he stood atthe door in his jeans and t-shirt.

"I thought that this wasjust drinks with friends," he asked

"Yes it is" shegiggled "and there is music and drinks... so you know I have todress up"

"Come on," He said and walked out first to thedriver side of the car and Mia got into the passenger side. She gotinto the car and the two made their way out to the club. The two gotin the club without any issues. Mia ran into the crowd of peoplefinding Anna, Maria, Laura, and Lisa all sitting at a table withdrinks already around.

"MIA!" Mark called and she stood upand waved for him to come over.

"Oooh, who is that?" Annaasked with a very surprised look on her face.

"He is my newbodyguard, Mark. Girl I want him so damn bad" She said and Annastarted to laugh.

"Always on the hunt aren't you," Mariasaid with a laugh and Mark finally made it to the table.

"Girls,this is Mark... Mark this is Anna, Maria, Laura, and Lisa," Miasaid with a smile at Mark as she took a seat on the table andgiggled. "Come on girls round of drinks" she laughs and the girlsbegan to loosen up a bit.

Mark stood on the side of the tablewith his arms crossed in front of him. The music was loud and thecrowd was growing and growing as the night continued. He looked downat his watch and see 11 pm. Mia pulled on to Mark's shirt and heturned down to listen to her. "Come sit down lighten up a bit. Iwill get you a beer."

"No no... not tonight," He said toher and shook his head.

"Well, I need another drink... Iwill be right back" Mia said and slide out of the booth.

"Iwill go with you" Mark said

"No, I am good to stay withthe group. I will be right back." She said with a smile as sheswinging on him a bit. He smiles and looked down at her and leaneddown to her.

"I think we should call it a night after thisone" He whispered to her and she stuck out her tongue at him andjumped down into the crowd and Mark watched her as she started tomake her way to the bar.

Mia leaned up against the counter ofthe bar and ordered her drink. She danced to the music as she waitedfor her drink to come to her. She smiled and paid for the drink andpicked it up and took a sip. She turned around and started to makeher way back through the crowd.

Mark looked over the girlsat the table as they laughed with one another. People began to screamfrom where Mia was standing. Mark's head turns toward the directionsof the noise and the screaming, In a matter of seconds loud poppingsounds went off. Mark jumped down from where the table was andstarted towards where he last seen Mia. "MIA!" He called out toher as he could not hear or see her. He continued to run into thecrowd of people who were now all in a panic and screaming. Peoplerunning out of the bar into the dead of night. Several more loudpopping sounds echo in the club. Mark spotted the shooter darting outthe front door. Mark pushed through people "MIA!" He keptscreaming unable to find her. Mark's heart raced and a sense of panicwas starting to take over him.