Swapping wary glances with me, his usual humor suppressed, he kept his gaze averted as he served us dinner.

The silence was palpable.

Mia sat opposite me on the other side of the long dining room table. She hadn't touched her food and neither had I. We merely sipped mineral water, lost in our own thoughts. Other than the dim light shining down from the chandelier above, the room was pretty dark. I liked it this way. It matched my mood.

Lincoln had been in my service for years. He'd lost his house after he'd been fired from his job as a server at Zona's Cafe, after snapping back at the young manager over some trifle issue.

He'd volunteered at Charlie's in an attempt to get his life back on track. I'd hired him soon after and provided a generous employment package when he came on as my butler.

Lincoln knew well enough not to engage me in conversation when I was this quiet. He merely placed our food before us and headed out.

Mia watched Lincoln close the door behind him. "He's nice."

"Ex-convict," I said.

Her gaze snapped up.

I smirked. "Pot possession."

"Was he a dealer?"

"No, he broke his back in a car accident and was using it for pain relief, back when it was illegal."

"And you know this for sure?"

I narrowed my gaze. "Being able to read when people are lying comes in handy."

Her fingers traced over her throat.

She'd dressed for dinner in the black halter-neck dress I picked out. Her hair was down, just as I liked it, and her makeup natural. She looked ethereal under this yellow light.

"How long has Lincoln worked for you?"

"Five years."

She gave a nod, as though mulling that over. "Cameron, you didn't ask me."

I took a sip of water.

"About the contract," she spoke softly.

"What about it?"

"I thought you might ask if I signed it."

I unraveled my napkin. "I find this subject boring."

"Was it difficult seeing her again?"

"It went as expected."

"How?"

I shrugged.

"Cameron?"

"She was always a bitch, but she's something altogether different now."

"Why did you date her if she was like that?"

I arched a brow. "Mia, there'll be no dissecting my past relationships for your listening pleasure."

"I didn't mean-"

"Yes, you did."

"Was she cruel to you?"

"She pushes my buttons." I gave Mia a so do you look.

She nudged her plate away. "She wants you back?"

"She's in a relationship."

My mind drifted to our session and I tried to tie together the evidence of what had been said, as well as what had gone unsaid, all of it providing clues to why Zie wasn't satisfied in her new relationship. If only I could focus my thoughts I'd be able to unravel these dark secrets and the truth would spill.

"The way she looked at you-"

"Eat." I gestured to her plate. "Considering you spent the day feeding the hungry, don't you think it's inappropriate to take a good meal for granted?"

"Maybe we should sell that." She pointed to the chandelier. "Give the money to Charlie's."

"Sure, if you like sitting in the dark."

We'd turned the corner of irrationality.

Her gaze slid over her entree.

Steak, rare, bloody. Asparagus soaked in a bright red juice.

"Something wrong, Mia?" I said coldly.

"I ordered the salmon."

"We can't always have what we want."

Her brow furrowed. "It was on the menu."

"So tell me how your day was? How are the staff at Charlie's?"

She held my gaze and quickly broke it. "Good."

"So plenty of time to bond with the other volunteers? Make new friends?"

She reached for her glass of water and took several sips.

"Mia?"

"We're not having wine?"

"No, I have plans for you."

She swallowed hard. "Everyone's very nice there. Rebecca's patient with the patrons. Leo doesn't have to stay all the time. I'm quite safe, Cameron."

"It's best he stays close. Just in case."

"I don't like to waste his time."

"His time is my time."

"I can handle myself."

"Don't question me again. Understand?"

Her shoulders slumped. "Perhaps you'd like to work a shift with me one day? If you have time?"

"And spoil your fun?"

"It would be nice having you there."

"Sounds like a young crowd."

"If I'm going to be running your charities-"

"Not quite sure you're ready for that just yet."

"Why not?"

"Charlie's will be undergoing some changes. I need to oversee those myself."

"What kind?"

"The details remain under wraps for now."

"You can't share them with me?"

"Why would I?"

"I wish you'd told her no."

"Who?"

"Zie. I wish you'd told her you wouldn't have a session with her. She made you sad."

"What you're seeing here, Mia, is quiet fury."

"I'm sorry she made you feel like this. I like it when you smile. You have a nice smile."

This ache was going to remain lodged in my chest permanently.

Ironic that I'd always had a thing for pain and was now going to die from it. My hand caressed my chest to soothe the agony.

"Can I get you anything?" she said.

My beautiful Mia. Could she really have fallen for another? A mystery man who'd captured her attention. Zie was right about Mia's mood. She was quieter, unsettled even, and more nervous than usual.

Though my mood was worse.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Forgive me. I have a lot on my mind."

"Of course. Let me know if there's anything I can do."

"Let me order you something else."

"I'm not really hungry. I'll have it later."

"Go put your collar on."

Her finger traced the edge of the table.

"Mia, now please."

She swallowed hard and broke my gaze. "I can't remember where I put it."

I pushed myself to my feet, rounded the table, and neared her. "Is this you rebelling?"

"No, sir."

I nudged a strand of hair behind her ear. "Make sure you wear it tomorrow."

"I lost it."

"What? When?"

"This morning. I was waiting to tell you."

A jolt of disbelief stunned me into silence.