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?'
'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?'
'I'll be just fine.' Mia withdrew her keys from her purse. 'Cameron said I could stay in his guest bedroom.'
Gina burst out laughing, and Mia was glad to see glimpses of the old friend she knew and loved. 'I'm betting you don't even set foot in that guest bedroom.'
'I'll never tell,' Mia teased, though she was certain Gina was right. 'Hold on. I want to check our mailbox before we leave.'
Mia quickly unlocked their box and took out the mail. She handed Gina her bills and correspondences and felt her own stomach drop when she found a larger, padded envelope addressed to her-in the same vein as the two other envelopes she'd received from an anonymous sender.
It appeared her own troubles weren't over yet.
Chapter Fifteen
'THIS came in today's mail,' Mia said to Cameron once she'd arrived at his place half an hour later. She paced anxiously near the kitchen table, her stomach already in knots over what they'd find inside. 'I thought I'd wait and give you the honor of opening the envelope this time.'
Cameron picked up the envelope and checked it out, front and back. 'No return address, of course,' he said calmly. 'And it's bigger and bulkier than the others you've been sent with the pictures inside.'
And that's what worried her the most, because she was fairly certain her stalker had a different kind of surprise in store for her. 'I don't think I want to know what's inside.' Dread tightened her chest.
'We don't have a choice.' He glanced back at her, his gaze filled with understanding. 'I know this is difficult for you, but maybe there's something in here that will help us figure out who is sending you this stuff.'
Just like the untraceable pictures she'd received, Mia had her doubts. Still, there was no avoiding the inevitable, and she wrapped her arms around her middle as if she could protect herself from what was about to come. 'Go ahead and open the envelope so we can get this over with.'
Cameron hesitated a few seconds, then tore open the seal and pulled out something bright red and silky. He immediately frowned. 'What the hell…'
For a moment, as Mia stared at the provocative pair of panties, she wondered if she'd recently ordered any lingerie from a catalog, which would explain the risque underwear dangling from Cameron's fingers. But then she
