Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80314 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80314 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
As I leave the bedroom, I can hear Aiden talking about what happened last night and the message I received this morning, the reminder making me want to go back to the bedroom, pack up my stuff, and leave. Only I know I wouldn’t get far. First, because I don’t have my car, and second, I believed Aiden when he said he would fight me every step of the way if I tried to leave him.
When I reach the end of the hallway, I stop in my tracks. The bald man standing in the kitchen that I’m assuming is Noah is not just a big guy; he’s a giant. Tall, probably over six three, and bulky with bulging muscles that make the coffee mug in his hands look like one of those little kids playtime tea cups.
“Doll,” Aiden calls, and I pull my attention off his friend just as his eyes come to me. I walk to Aiden as he holds out his hand. “This is my best friend, Noah. Noah, this is May.”
“Nice to meet you,” I tell him softly as Aiden wraps his arm around my waist and slides his hand up the side of my sweatshirt, skimming his fingers along my bare skin making me shiver.
“You too.”
“I was just telling Noah about what happened last night and the text you got this morning. He said that might be enough to get a case opened up.”
“That’s good,” I say as he lets me go so he can grab a full cup of coffee off the counter and hand it to me. “The only issue is we have no idea who the person is.” I look at Noah. “I told Aiden that he and I should take a break while we get this whole thing sorted out so that he’s not in danger.”
“Babe,” Aiden growls, and I look at him.
“If he thinks we’re not together, you won’t be in danger.”
“You don’t know that.” He leans back against the counter behind him and crosses his arms over his chest. “And you and I aren’t even going to pretend we’re not together.”
“You’re being ridiculous.” I grit my teeth, then look at his friend. “Please tell him I’m right,” I say, as his gaze pings between Aiden and me. A smile cracks his face, making him a whole lot less intimidating… and seriously handsome.
“I get it now, bro.” He chuckles, shaking his head before taking a sip from his mug. “Do you got any sisters?”
“Four, actually.”
“Are any of them single?”
“No.”
“That sucks,” he mutters, and I bite my lip, then look at Aiden, finding him smiling.
“Whatever,” I grumble, stepping up to the counter and setting down my cup so I can take the bagel Aiden hands over to me.
“With the shooting last night and the text today, you should get a detective on your case, and with any luck, they’ll be able to find out some information about this Mike guy,” he says quietly as Aiden places a soft kiss against the side of my head and all I can think is I hope he’s right.
_______________
LOOKING AT MY cell phone, I read the text that just came in from Aiden telling me that Noah just showed up at my house and the two of them are going to be putting up cameras and setting up the security system he purchased. Something I really wish he didn’t have to do, but with the police being no help because we have no idea who Mike is, and him refusing to stay away from me, it needs to be done. Not that I think I’d be able to stay away from him for very long anyway. In just a few short days, I’ve gotten way too used to starting and ending my day with him.
After tucking my cell away I step out of the room I was changing in and my eyes go to where my mom is going through a rack of dresses, then to my sisters, who are all seated on a low couch in the large dressing room of the boutique we came to in Nashville. I didn’t plan on having to find a dress today on such short notice but when I tried on the bridesmaid’s dresses I already owned this morning none of them fit, leaving me no choice but to try and find something to wear for the gala tonight.
“Do you think our family is cursed?” I ask my mom, and she immediately stops looking through the rack of dresses she’s in front of and turns to face me. Just this afternoon over lunch, I told my mom and sisters everything that has happened since meeting Aiden, even though I hated the idea of worrying them. And the thing that struck me the most when I was done is that they all got it, because each of them had been through something similar.