Mike took a long drag of his cigarette. The smoke curled out of his nose as he finally remembered the ashtray and snubbed it out. "I don't know what I expected."
Mike snorted, pulled out another cigarette and lit it. "Well, I guess you had to tell her."
"Yes."
"I don't know what to say to you Liam."
"Then don't say anything."
"You know this goes against all of our rules."
"Of course I know it. I made the rules!" he barked.
Mike took another drag and flicked an ash to the floor. "Yeah, I guess you did."
Liam rubbed at his throbbing temples. "You'll understand one day."
Mike chuckled. "I don't think I will. As long as you think that it'll be all right, then I won't argue with you. But, I don't like it. I don't want to see either one of you get hurt."
"She won't be hurt."
"I hope you won't be either."
"I won't."
"Yeah well, I'll stand by you, no matter what."
"Thanks."
Sera stirred slightly and he looked down at her. His hand ran through her hair as she rolled over and buried her head in his lap. She opened her eyes and looked dazedly up at him. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Hi Sera," Mike greeted.
She started and her hands fell to her sides as she turned to look at him. He appeared casual in the chair, but there was an air of tension around him that belied his demeanor. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch as she suddenly understood why he had been there last night. "Hello Mike," she greeted.
He smiled as he flicked an ash to the floor and swung his legs leisurely back and forth. "How are you doing today?"
Her eyes jumped to Liam, and then back to Mike. "Sera," Liam said as he clasped her hand.
Mike's eyes were an intense blue as they burned into her. He snuffed his cigarette out and dropped the ashtray to the floor. "I suppose you've figured out that I am too."
Sera's gaze flew back to Liam's. He squeezed her hand, willing her to be okay. For a minute she simply stared at him. Then her eyes sparked, and a smile curved the corners of her full mouth. She turned back to Mike. "I have."
Liam pulled her into his arms, nestling her against his chest as he met Mike's gaze above her head. Mike stared back at him as he lit another cigarette and took a long drag. He looked down at Sera, his brow furrowed in puzzlement as he studied her carefully.
"I didn't know you smoked," Sera mumbled.
He blew a small smoke ring. "Only once in awhile."
Liam was glad that Mike refrained from telling her that he only smoked when he was agitated, and troubled. "Good thing you don't have to be concerned about lung cancer."
Mike's eyebrows shot up, he grinned as he took another long drag. "Yep."
"So who are the other three?"
"What?" Mike asked.
Sera lifted her eyes to Liam. "You said that there were four others that needed to be protected. Obviously Mike is one, but who are the other three?"
