“I think I need a drink,” I confessed.
“You don’t have to tell me.”
“No, I do. But I need a break, if that makes sense.”
“I understand.”
In the kitchen, she opened the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. “Dee likes this stuff. Will that do?”
“Perfect. What about you?”
“I haven’t eaten today, so I’ll just have water.”
I reached for my phone. “I’m ordering pizza.”
“I’m not really hungry,” she admitted.
I spoke as I dialed. “You need some food, and frankly, so do I. I need you to eat. Please? For me?” I added, knowing she would agree. The break would help us both.
“Okay.”
A short time later, I sat back, replete. Cami had only eaten one slice, nibbling away while I devoured the rest, but at least it was something.
“Is pizza your favorite food?”
“No, but it’s fast and easy.”
“What is your favorite?”
“Fried chicken. Homemade, not the takeout garbage.”
“Dee makes great fried chicken. She’ll make it for you.”
Her words stirred a memory, making me frown.
“Will you tell me now?”
“Yes.” I focused on staying calm, choosing my words carefully without too much detail. I knew she’d have questions, and I didn’t want to get too upset, so I chose to tell her the story as briefly as possible.
“My sister, Veronica, showed up a few years ago. She appeared out of the blue, with no warning. She told me she had moved here and saw my name in the paper.” I paused, thinking how shocked I had been when I heard my name called and turned to find Veronica standing behind me. “She asked me for coffee. She wanted a chance to apologize.”
“Oh.”
“I was curious, so I agreed to go with her. She told me Gabby and Henry had both died recently. She said she had no contact with Eric, my brother. Then she told me she was sorry for how everyone had treated me when we were younger. She explained she had always been afraid of our parents and the one time she had tried to stick up for me, she was punished.”
“Had she done that?”
I shrugged. “Not that I remembered, but I did know she never joined in the bullying or mistreatment the way my brother did. She always left the room.”
I kissed Cami’s hand and stood, unable to sit in one place anymore. I prowled around the room, picking up things and studying them. A picture Cami had sketched of a dress. A small piece of metal sculpture. Touching her things, items she loved, calmed me.
“What happened, Aiden?”
“She told me she wanted the chance to be friends. To get to know each other as adults. She seemed sincere. I told her I would think it over, and I left. I talked to Maddox and Bent and told them what happened.”
“What did they think?”
“That I should be cautious.”
“I take it they were right.”
“Things seemed great. I checked her out, and her story matched up with the information I could find. We met for coffee, had dinner. We talked—sometimes about the past, but more about our lives from after I had left until the present. She told me she’d gotten out of a bad relationship and moved here to start over, much as I had done years ago. She met Bent and Mad. They were polite but reserved.”
“And?”
“We started to grow closer. She worked from home as an online editor with a magazine company. I’d drop by on occasion with lunch or for coffee. She would pick up my favorite brownie from the bakery down the street from my place, drop by to say hi, and check up on me. She called and sent funny texts. She remembered my favorite dinner growing up was fried chicken, and she made it for me.” I met Cami’s sympathetic glance. “She did all these things, caring things, which made me think she was real. She slowly got under my skin, and I decided that maybe she had also been a victim and not one of the criminals in my childhood. I forgave her because I felt she had done what she needed to do in order to survive. We had both suffered in different ways.”
“That was a brave decision, Aiden.”
I sat down beside her and took her hand, playing with her fingers. “A stupid one.”
She lifted one shoulder. “I think it takes a brave person to try—be it a relationship, a new career, anything, really. Anything you try that is new and different takes guts, but putting yourself out there emotionally? Very brave.”
I stared at her in amazement. How had I denied how incredible she truly was?
She squeezed my hand. “Keep going.”
“One day, when I stopped by, I could see she had been crying. It took a while to convince her, but she told me her ex had racked up a ton of debt in her name, and she was trying to figure out how to pay it off. She was setting up some appointments with debt consolidators.”
Cami’s eyebrows rose. “I see.”
“I didn’t. When I had checked her out, I saw her lousy credit, and I should have checked again—dug more. Used my head and not my heart. I think I was so desperate to believe her, to think I had been wrong, that I turned a blind eye, and I fell for her con. I told her I would help her. I transferred fifty grand into her account that afternoon.”
“What happened next?”
“She lost her job and couldn’t find another one. She couldn’t pay her rent, so she lost her apartment and needed a place to stay.”
“So, she moved in with you?”
I snorted. “Yep. Then I hired her as my assistant and paid her myself since she wasn’t able to find another job right away.”
“All things that show what a caring man you are to others.”
“And stupid. She had me right where she wanted me. Gradually, she started taking over. She did it well, in subtle ways that, until it was over, I never noticed. She had control of my house, my accounts, everything. I confided in her daily.” I sat down heavily. “I was so eager for her affection. She was my family—the one thing I had always wanted—and she was there. In my head, if I took care of her, she would love me.” My head fell to the cushion. “I really thought she did.”
Cami stood and paced, and I waited until she spoke.
“What happened?”
“Bent and I were away on a business trip, looking at some property out West. Maddox called me and told me there was something odd going on with my finances. Money was disappearing fast. He told me he was going to freeze all my accounts. I flew home that afternoon, and I caught her. She was packing up to leave. She actually had a suitcase filled with cash, like some bad TV movie. Still, it wasn’t the worst part.”
Cami crouched in front of me. “What was it?”
“Eric was there—they were in it together. They were arguing when I let myself in. She was telling him how awful it had been pretending to like me, and she was glad it was over. How pretending to give a shit about what was going on in my life was tedious, and I annoyed her. That his idea of getting some money had been harder on her than she expected, and she wanted a bigger cut. He was arguing that she had to ride out this storm, convince me it was a bank error, and get more money. He was angry that she’d gotten tired of the subterfuge and decided to take as much money as possible and get out while I was gone.” I huffed out an exhale of air, trying to ease the tightness in my chest that memory brought up. “To say they were shocked to see me standing there, Bentley beside me, listening to their secret confession, would be an understatement.”
She rubbed my thighs, making small clicking noises of disapproval in her throat. I looked down at her hands, thinking despite how elegant and long her fingers were, how small they looked on my legs.
“Once they knew they’d been caught, it got ugly. They told me I owed them. Because of what happened that night when I was a teenager, Henry was never able to work again. He drank more and was verbally abusive to them. There was no money for university—there was barely enough to live on. My parents lost the house and had to move in to an
apartment. They were ostracized at school—no longer part of the in crowd. Neither had done much with their lives. Years later, they saw my name in the paper, read about my success, and decided I owed them for what they lost.”
She stared up at me, aghast. “None of which was your fault. Henry did that to your family. He treated you like shit your whole life. They all did.”
“That’s not how they saw it. Maddox showed up a few minutes later, and things went from ugly to horrible. There was shouting and threats. And a lot of pushing and shoving between Bent and my brother, who tried to grab the suitcase and run. My sister became hysterical and started screaming.” I shook my head. “Then Maddox called the cops. Or, at least, started to. My brother and sister begged me to give them the money. Promised never to return if I did.”
“You gave it to them, didn’t you?”
I shrugged. “It was twenty-five grand. Compared to what I had already given her, not a lot, and frankly, it barely made a dent in my bottom line. I just wanted them gone. I was reeling from how easily I had fallen for her act and the betrayal. Luckily, Maddox stepped in and made them sign something. And before they were out the door, he had all her cards and the lists of my accounts she had maintained. He had her access denied, the locks changed, and even took her cell phone. She left with the cash, her clothes, and that was all.”
“And she destroyed you.”
“Do you know what she said to me one day? The words I held on to so desperately?”
She shook her head.
“I care about you, Aiden. I care so much.”
Cami’s eyes widened. “I said that to you at the lake. The night you got upset.”
“It brought back that painful memory so vividly, I shut down. I know I acted like an asshole, something else I need to apologize for, but it hit me like a wrecking ball. It reminded me that I had already learned my lesson. Love wasn’t for me. It proved I’m not worthy of that emotion.”
She wiggled between my legs, reached up, and cupped my face. “The fact that you forgave her and tried to have a relationship says a lot about the kind of man you are to me, Aiden.”
“You mean needy and stupid?”
Her hands tightened. “I mean forgiving and strong. Generous and capable of love—both of giving and receiving.” She shook her head. “They were the ones in the wrong, but Aiden, can’t you see you’re allowing them to win?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You refuse to let me in. You keep up walls and never allow yourself to be truly happy. You’ve cut yourself off from the chance of real love. Don’t let her, them, do this to you. Don’t believe the awful things they said and did, because what they said is bullshit. They knew how to hurt you, and that was all they wanted.”
Tears glimmered in her eyes. “Don’t let them keep hurting you. Choose to believe the people who really care about you.”
My throat felt thick. “Who should I believe?”
“Bentley,” she stated promptly. “Maddox. The two people who love you the most. Know you better than anyone.” She drew in a deep breath. “Me. I see the real Aiden. I see the hurt you hide and the need you try to disguise. I see you.”
“How can you think so highly of me after the way I treated you?”
“That’s what you do when you love someone, Aiden. You forgive them.”
I met her wide, green gaze. There was nothing but honesty in her eyes. For the first time, I allowed myself to see what else her stare reflected.
Love. Real, honest love. Not for my money. Not for anything else, except me.
Cami loved me.
All I had to do was reach out, and the one thing I wanted, I needed, all my life could be mine.
I only had to take it.
Reaching down, I lifted under her arms and crushed her to me.
“Mine,” I whispered. “All mine.”
“Yours,” she replied.
I held her tighter.
We sat together silently. I enjoyed being able to hold her. After what happened today and the discussion about my childhood, I needed it. I needed her.
“Aiden, can I ask you something?”
I pressed a kiss to her head. “Anything.”
“Why can you forgive everyone around you, even your sister, but you can never forgive yourself?”
“I’m sorry?”
She tilted back her head, meeting my confused gaze. “You never give yourself a break. If something goes wrong, you blame yourself. If there’s a problem, you always take responsibility. You heap coals on your own head, and you carry too much. What happened in your childhood wasn’t your fault. Your sister’s actions were hers, not yours.” She hesitated. “What happened with Emmy or Greg wasn’t because of you either.”
I tensed. “What are you talking about?”
“I think you’re still blaming yourself for the situation.” She cupped my face. “I heard you, Aiden. At night, when you slept here. The nights I spent with you. Your nightmares. You carry too much pain and blame inside you. You need to let it go.”
I met her gaze. There was no judgment. She looked worried, sad, and unsure. No doubt, she was concerned about my reaction to her words. I thought about what she said.
“I don’t know how,” I admitted in a low voice. “I was blamed for everything all my life. I don’t know how to be any other way. It’s almost easier to take the blame for things at times.”
“You could talk to someone. A professional to help you.”
I huffed a laugh. “You sound like Bentley.”
“Who is a very smart man and loves you like a brother. You and Maddox are family to him. Do you think he would ever suggest you do something that would hurt you?”
That stopped me. She was right. Aside from the occasional words spoken in anger, or disagreement, neither Bentley nor Maddox had ever done anything to hurt me deliberately. Since I met them, they had protected me the way I protected them.
“He only wants to help you,” she added.
“I know. He’s right. I wasn’t ready, though.”
“But you are now?”
“Do you think I should talk to someone?”
“What I think doesn’t matter. You have to want to talk to someone.”
“I think maybe I do. I know Bent and Emmy think the world of this Chloe person.”
“She has helped Emmy. Bentley finds her helpful as well.”
I leaned my forehead to hers. “I want to try. Not only for me. I want to be able to show you how I feel, Cami. To be what you need. I’m ready for that, but I do need some help. Would you…would you come with me?”
She slid her arms around my neck, holding me tight.
“Yes. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
Cami
“I want to take you home to my place,” Aiden murmured against my head. “I don’t want you here. Not until Dee comes home.” He sighed, his breath ruffling my hair. “Not even then.”
I tilted my head up to study his weary face. “This is where I live.”
“Maybe we can find you a new place. The building we own where Maddox lives has some nice two-bedroom units.”
“I doubt we can afford the rent.”
He smirked. “I think we can arrange something.”
“Aiden,” I scolded gently. “I don’t need you to do that. I’m not with you for your money or what you can give me.”
His eyes were soft, and he slid his fingers over my cheek. “Are you with me, Cami? Even after all I’ve put you through?”
“Yes.”
“Let me take you home. I can’t relax here, and I think you’d feel better too. Please.”
He was right. I was on edge, and the thought of going into my bedroom down the hall made me anxious.
“Okay.”
Aiden stayed close all night. While I talked to Emmy, and later Dee, on the phone, he was beside me, constantly touching my shoulder or arm, wrapping his hand around mine and kissing the knuckles. My heart soared every time he touched
me. He huffed a little when I assured Emmy I would be at school the next day; although he gave up the fight quickly when I explained why.
“I need to see my teacher and the director to explain why I wasn’t there for my presentation. I have to get a make-up date.” I sighed. “I hope they give me one.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“You’re not going to beat anyone up, are you?”
“No. What happened, though, is not the normal ‘the dog ate my homework’ excuse. I want to make sure they understand and you get the chance.”
I tapped my chin. “You know, I think you BAM boys are a bad influence.”
“BAM boys?” he asked with a chuckle. “Do explain.”
“Emmy gets involved with Bentley and misses her presentation because she’s kidnapped. I get involved with you, and some madwoman comes after me and I miss mine,” I teased with a grin. “The common denominator seems to be BAM boys.”
“Maybe the common denominator is you girls. Seems to me both of you are trouble.”
“A little.”
He wrapped his hand around my neck, tugging me to his mouth. “A lot. I’m still going with you tomorrow, by the way.”
“Okay.”
He brushed his mouth over mine. “You’re still tense.” He rubbed my shoulders. “You’re safe now, you know that, right?”
“I know.” I shut my eyes with a sigh. “I need a little time, Aiden. The past few weeks have messed with my head. I was convinced I was going crazy or developing the same symptoms as my mother.”
“You’re not.”
“My head knows that now. I just need the rest of my body to catch up.”
“Okay, here’s the plan. I’m going to run you a bath, bring you some wine, and then we’re going to bed.”
“Then I can read to you?”
“I want you to relax.”
“Reading to you does relax me. I want to. Please?”
His eyes were warm, his mouth even more so. “Yes.”
I watched him walk away and heard the water come on in the bathroom. I was tired, but my body was tense. My mind wouldn’t shut off either. Yet, not for the reasons Aiden probably thought. Louisa had scared me, and it was going to take some time to recover from everything that had occurred in the last while, but it was his confession, the things he told me about his life and upbringing that had my head spinning. The fact that he did care, and he wanted to try to be more with me. The look on his face when I said the word love to him…he was incredulous, incapable of believing himself worthy of being loved. Unable to comprehend that he could love someone.
Vested Interest Box Set: Books 1-3 Page 44
