“You have, Bentley. You gave me your heart. Your home.”
“No, I have something else.” I pressed the flat box into her hand. “I want to entrust this to you.”
Her hand shook as she opened the box. Her eyes grew round as she looked at the contents.
“Bentley,” she breathed out. “These are . . .”
I lifted the delicate pendant from the box. The small chocolate diamond caught the light, glimmering the way her eyes did. It was nestled in a filigree of gold and set off with four polished accents. “The pearls. My mother’s pearls.”
“But you carry them with you everywhere!”
I slipped the chain around her neck. “And now you will. We’ve shared our past, and now it’s time to start our future. I’ll keep your rucksack safe; you hang on to my pearls. We’ll safeguard each other’s hearts. Deal?”
Her lips were soft against mine. “Deal.”
* * *
The office was quiet, the afternoon almost over. I looked out at the heavy clouds, wondering if we would get snow today. I tried to recall if Emmy had worn her new coat this morning, then shook my head in amusement. Of course, she would have. She’d sleep in it if I let her. Light, filled with down, she said it was the warmest thing she’d ever owned.
Her thanks had certainly warmed certain parts of me.
I shifted in my chair thinking of that night and adjusted myself. Maybe I should head home early, relax with her since she wasn’t in the boardroom with Maddox and Aiden working on the expanded Bentley Ridge Estates. She was such a bonus to the project, bringing fresh ideas to the table. My partners enjoyed spending time with her, and they found her intelligent and diligent. I loved hearing her laughter throughout the office and listening to her creative ideas. She was amazing, and I hoped to persuade her to have an office of her own here once she graduated. She could run her business, and I would happily be her first client, even though I knew she had more to offer than graphic design. I could foresee a time when she was part of my team. In every aspect.
She had agreed to see the therapist Colin had recommended, and I went with her. I was surprised to find how much the sessions helped each of us in different ways. Chloe saw us separately, and on occasion, we went together, if she felt it was necessary. Emmy’s nightmares had mostly ceased, and although she was still skittish in public at times, it was better. She no longer fought me on having Frank drive her places, since she felt safer, and it gave me peace of mind. She was glad, however, Aiden no longer felt bodyguards were necessary.
I was learning to deal with my anger in a positive way rather than yelling at those I cared for the most, and she was helping each of us come to terms with our pasts. I was incredibly proud of Emmy for not only her strength but also her resilience and determination to move forward. She inspired me to do the same.
Thinking about her made me miss her more than usual. I picked up my phone, sending her a text.
Hey, Freddy. What are you up to this afternoon?
Her reply was prompt.
Studying.
Are you at home?
No, I was feeling nostalgic and am at Al’s with Cami.
I chuckled at her words, deciding not to say anything about wanting to see her.
Okay. See you at home.
She sent back a heart emoji along with my favorite words.
I love you.
Aiden strolled in, sitting on the sofa, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. He munched away on a huge pastry, throwing a grin my way. “What’s up?”
“Your cholesterol. That’s your third one today.”
“Fourth. Not my fault Sandy brought in a box of them, and I can’t resist. It was the last one left, and everyone has gone home. I can’t let it go to waste.”
“Of course not,” I replied dryly. “You have no self-control.”
He snorted. “You have enough for both of us”—he paused with a smirk—“Rigid.”
“Fuck you.”
“No thanks, you’re not my type.”
It was my turn to smirk. “No, I suppose not. I don’t have dark hair with green eyes and can put you in your place in about five seconds flat.”
We glared at each other. As private as I was with my relationship with Emmy, I had no idea what was happening with Cami and Aiden. There was something, of that I had no doubt, but he refused to discuss it, and Emmy hadn’t been able to get much from Cami. Obviously, he wasn’t going to share today either. I had tried to talk him into counseling, but he refused to go, insisting he didn’t need to talk to anyone about Greg or anything else. No matter how much I tried to convince him, he was adamant in his refusal. Maddox told me to ease off and allow him to work it out on his own.
“Forcing him to go is a waste. He’s a grown-ass man, Bent. When he’s ready, he can make the call. It has to be his decision.”
I had backed off, not wanting to drive a wedge between us. In this case, however, I could give him a nudge in the right direction.
“Emmy and Cami are at Al’s, studying. I thought I might surprise her and take her to an early dinner or something.”
Aiden sat up a little straighter. “Oh, yeah? You want me to take you there?”
I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Frank can drive me.”
“I should probably go with you, and you know, make sure everything is okay.”
Life had gone back to normal since Greg’s passing. No more notes, only the random, odd letter demanding my money, as per usual. Aiden had finally relaxed and was no longer my constant shadow; although, he still came with me to every meeting. I needed him more for his incredible memory retention than security, and I hoped it stayed that way. I couldn’t resist poking the bear though.
“I think I’m fine on my own. Unless something happened that I need security with me?”
“No,” he admitted with a frown. “It’s not a great area, though, and I should check with Al on those improvements we made. Plus his fritters are damn awesome.”
He needed more food?
“His fritters . . . right.”
“Bent—” he warned.
I shut down the laptop and stood. “Well, if you want to make sure everything’s going okay there and get a fritter, you’d better come with me then.”
He jumped to his feet. “Okay.”
When we arrived at Al’s, I went toward Emmy’s spot. Cami glanced up and saw me coming, then spotted Aiden in the line waiting for his fritter. She said something to Emmy, who nodded, not even glancing up from her laptop. Cami went past me with a grin, laying her hand on my arm, brushing my cheek with her lips.
“She’ll love that you came for her,” she murmured. “She keeps looking at her phone.”
I winked and waited for a moment, pulling out my phone and taking a picture of Emmy. My once empty camera roll was now filled with pictures—mostly of her, but of us, our friends, and our life. For the first time, I had good memories to capture and keep.
The light over the table caught her earrings and glinted off the rings on her fingers as she typed away. She wore the necklace I gave her, rarely ever removing it since I had clasped it around her neck. Her hair was up, her tattoo on display, and her new coat wrapped around her shoulders. I had discovered another favorite color on her. The brilliant red fabric looked lovely against her skin. I had bought her another shawl in the same color, silencing her objections with kisses as I draped it over her shoulders one night.
“I know you’re there.”
I dropped a kiss on her head and sat across from her.
“Stalking me again, Rigid?”
I leaned over and snagged a piece of her muffin. “Is it still stalking if we live together?”
She looked up with a grin. “No, it’s obsessive, then.”
“Guilty as charged. I am obsessed with you.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Totally. You’re on my mind more than anything else in my life.”
She leaned back, staring, her eyes slowly traveling ove
r me. She closed the lid of her laptop, not saying anything, but continued to stare. Her gaze was frank, open, and I felt my cock stir at her appraisal.
“See something you like?”
She leaned forward, her voice low. “I love what I see.”
“Tell me.”
“I see you. Bentley. The sexiest, sweetest, kindest—” she paused and licked her lips—“dirtiest man I know.”
“Not how most people describe me.”
“I love the fact the world sees you one way, and I get to see the real you.”
“The real me needs to take you home now.”
“I . . .”
I tapped the top of the scarred wooden table. “Now.”
She stood fast, almost toppling her chair. She grabbed her messenger bag, shoving the laptop inside.
She hesitated. “Uh . . . what about Cami?”
I glanced over to see her and Aiden deep in conversation. He looked up, and I tilted my head to the door. He grinned and went back to talking to Cami.
“I’ll send Frank back for her and Aiden.”
“Okay, that works.”
I caught her in my arms, kissing her hard. It didn’t matter we were in a public place; I didn’t care who was watching anymore. I pulled away, smirking at the pink deepening her cheeks.
I tugged her behind me, stopping only long enough to clap Aiden on the shoulder.
“We’re out.”
“I can see that.”
“Try it. You might like it.”
He shook his head, escorting Cami back to the table we had deserted. I smiled at Emmy, thinking how much happiness she had brought to my life. I threw one last look back at my friend, wondering why he didn’t see what I could. Cami could do the same for him.
He needed to figure it out.
Because, despite what he thought, he deserved it.
I opened the car door, letting Emmy slide in first, then sitting beside her.
“Home, sir?”
I glanced at Emmy, each of us feeling the same way. As long as we were together, we were already home.
I tucked her close and smiled.
“Yes, Frank. Take us home.”
Aiden - Vested Interest #2 by Melanie Moreland
Copyright © 2018 Moreland Books Inc.
Registration # 1148533
ISBN # 978-1-988610-06-1
All rights reserved
Edited and Proofed by
D. Beck
Lisa Hollett-Silently Correct Your Grammar
Jodi Duggan
Cover design by Melissa Ringuette, Monark Design Services
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are
products of the author's imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any
similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Created with Vellum
Karen
This one is for you.
As my PA, you make my professional life easier.
As my friend, you make my world brighter.
I love you both.
You fought for Aiden when he was only a few lines in a chapter.
You’ve loved him the longest, so he is yours.
Officially.
And as always,
My Matthew,
Without whom I am lost.
Always yours.
It started the way it always did. Voices, shouting, flashes of panic. Broken fragments of memories, images that blurred and blended into each other.
“You’re just like your father. Worthless.”
“He can’t read? What a surprise. He’s always been so stupid.”
“I’m not paying for anything extra for him. If he can’t keep up, that’s his problem.”
I was running, frightened, and out of breath. I needed to hide, to get away. Rocks hit my legs, and one even cutting into my neck. I felt the wet of blood as it seeped down the back of my shirt. I rounded the corner, ducking into the alley and behind the dumpster. I held my breath, trying to stay silent.
The running feet stopped, the voices angry.
“Where did he go?”
“Do you think he’s in the alley?”
“No, the little bastard is scared of his own shadow, he’d never go there. Let’s keep looking.”
Like a miracle, they moved on, but I stayed huddled, knowing they could come back. Knowing that even if I avoided them today, tomorrow they would find me.
My body shook as it recalled the number of beatings I’d taken at school. On the playground. At home. I could hear my gasps of air and feel the panic setting in. It wasn’t real, but I was useless to stop the barrage of fear coursing through me.
Slap.
“You worthless piece of shit! All you do is cause me disappointment!”
“Please, Momma, not the belt…” I sobbed.
“You’ll get that and more, you ingrate! I wish you’d never been born!”
The pain from her strike was so vivid, I felt my body jerk in reflex. I heard my own shout. Still, I couldn’t break through the grip keeping me trapped in the past.
The room was bright, the décor familiar. I realized I was in Greg’s office on that fateful day, staring at him holding a gun to his chin. Except, this time, it wasn’t him holding the gun. It was me. I had the gun pressed to my throat, staring at Bentley. He shook his head.
“You’re such a coward.”
“I don’t want to do this,” I begged. “Help me.”
“I’ll be glad when you’re gone. You’ve been nothing but a pain in my ass. I’ve put up with you long enough.”
“No, Bent—we’re friends! You said so!”
He shrugged his shoulder dismissively. “No, you were useful, but I’m done. You’re a waste of space and the world would be better off without you.”
He turned, walking away and ignoring my pleas.
The room felt cold, the air making me shiver. I looked around. I was alone, abandoned by one of the few people I thought I could trust. I shut my eyes, pressing the cold steel to my skin.
“Stop.”
My eyes flew open at the sound of her voice. Cami stood in front of me.
“Don’t do this.”
“I have no choice.”
“You do.” She extended her hand. “Come with me.”
“No. I’m not what you need. I’m not what anyone needs.”
“If you do this, you’ll never find out.”
I shook my head, pressing the gun closer.
I felt her leave. The darkness surrounded me. I squeezed the trigger.
With a loud gasp, I bolted upright in bed. I drew in much-needed oxygen, desperate to try to tamp down my panic. Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I fumbled with the light, snapped it on, and glanced around the room. Still terrified, I ran my hands over my torso and head, feeling for the blood, the hole left by the gun. There was nothing except a sheen of sweat covering my entire body.
Desperately thirsty, I reached for the water bottle on the nightstand, drained it, and tossed the bottle to the side. I hung my head, feeling my breathing return to normal and my heart rate slow down.
It was a nightmare. Not the first and certainly not the last I would have.
However, this one was different from before. More intense than ever. Vivid with the last image of Greg. I knew his death was still on my mind. It lingered on the edges, drilling itself down into my psyche and coming out when I tried to sleep.
The last time I’d had a really bad dream, I’d woken beside Cami. She had soothed me. Held me close and comforted me until I fell asleep again. When I was wrapped in her embrac
e, the terror hadn’t returned.
Tonight, I was alone, and I knew, without a doubt, it would come back. Repeatedly, until I dragged myself from my bed and started my day.
But that was how it had to be because, nightmare or not, the message of the dream was correct and always would be.
I was worthless, and she would never be beside me again. She deserved so much more than I could ever be for her.
I rose and grabbed a pair of sweat pants. I’d work out, then head into the office. At least there, I could be something other than what I was in my dreams.
I could be Aiden, friend to Bentley and Maddox. Part of a successful company. Respected by many, admired by some. Wealthy, humorous, and without a care in the world.
It was a great cover. No one ever looked past it to my real self.
The one I kept hidden.
Aiden
I inhaled the scent of new car, looking around in appreciation at the interior of the custom-made extended SUV that BAM had purchased. Two rows of seats, facing each other, so I no longer had to ride up front when the three of us traveled together on longer trips. Rich, thick leather seats, lots of leg and headroom, and thanks to Reid, decked out with every technological innovation possible. It was a comfortable way to travel, including a third row of seats that was easy to access or could be folded down for luggage. I had overseen the design myself, making sure it met all our specifications.
Bentley slid into the back across from me before I could get out and open the door. He dropped his briefcase on the seat beside him and took the cup of coffee I held out with a nod of thanks. We both sipped in silence for a moment. He appraised the interior of the vehicle, looking pleased.
“I like this one. Rides smooth.”
I grinned. “It does. Frank likes driving it too.”
Frank flashed a thumbs-up, making Bentley chuckle.
Vested Interest Box Set Books 1-3 Page 24
