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name.
    Lucas extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Fiore.”
    “Mr. Sparks.” Her mom gave an awkward dip of her head then seemed to yank her hand back quickly.
    Mia cringed. Already this was off to a bad start.
    Her mom ushered them into the living room, which was just inside the door. It wasn’t like they had a big place. The kitchen, dining room, and living room were all just one big area with slightly different flooring. Lucas was back to scowling, this time at the faded wallpaper and the cover-throws that hid the holes in the couch cushions. At least the smell wasn’t too bad today. Trash pickups were earlier in the week, and the air inside held a whiff of disinfectant. Her mom didn’t have a shifter’s sense of smell, but Mia had complained enough that her mom kept the place squeaky clean to combat the smell of squalor leaking in from the outside.
    There was only one chair and one couch, but even those made the small apartment feel a bit cramped. Mia and Lucas took spots on the couch while Mia’s mom sat stiffly in her chair.
    “So I hear you’re in the technology business?” her mom started out.
    Which brought a smile to Mia’s face. At least she was trying.
    “Yes, Ma’am,” Lucas replied with a smile. “At least we try to be. We search out fledgling technology companies with potential and make sure they get the funding they need to grow. Mia has been a huge asset to our company since she’s been working there.”
    Her mother arched an eyebrow, and Mia flushed. She knew her mom would see that for the flattery it was… not some kind of accurate assessment of how much Mia had helped SparkTech. She’d made her contributions, of course, but Mia could tell her mother was on the lookout for smooth talking and outright lies.
    “I’m just an intern,” Mia threw out, trying to save it, “but Lucas has let me have a hand in several acquisition deals. It’s been a really good experience.”
    Lucas took her hand and held it between his two. Just touching him eased tension out of her shoulders. But when she looked back to her mom, her eyes had narrowed.
    “Once Mia finishes school,” Lucas said, “she’ll have a place at SparkTech for as long as she wants.”
    “I’m glad you see how important it is for her to finish school.” Her mom’s voice carried even more tension than before.
    “Of course,” Lucas said. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    Mia’s mom narrowed her eyes further, which just made Mia’s shoulders hike up again.
    “SparkTech is a really amazing company,” Mia offered, trying to keep the small talk going. “And they pay really well. I’m already halfway through my senior year now—it won’t be long before I’m out of school and working full-time. Then I should be making enough that we can get you a place away from Jackson Street.”
    “This place is fine, Mia.” Her mother’s narrowed eyes turned into a full scowl. “You just concentrate on your schooling and don’t worry about me.”
    Mia cursed herself for even bringing it up. This was an argument she and her mom had on a regular basis—the crack gangs were invisible to her. Ignoring them was the only way her mom could live on Jackson Street without being in a constant state of fear every time she went outside. She didn’t just live here, she worked here too, at the local grocery store for twenty years as a single mom while raising Mia. Which was part of why she was so determined that Mia be independent, on her own—and especially not reliant on a man who might leave at any second. Just like Mia’s father.
    The silence hung in the air as her mom inspected Lucas. He bore the scrutiny without speaking for a few moments then squeezed Mia’s hand and said, “We wouldn’t have to wait, Mrs. Fiore. I’m sure SparkTech would be willing to give Mia an advance on her wages so you could move to a safer place now.”
    But that was the wrong thing to say.
    Her mom’s anger was just a