aYe make a great spot to lay my head, but Iall be glad for my pillow, aye?a I forced the words past my lips and sucked in a sharp breath.
aIall get you into bed as soon as we get home.a He stopped with a slight shake of his head and hurriedly corrected. aI mean, Iall carry you to bed as soon asaa His words died off with a short, nervous laugh as he finished. ad.a.m.n it, you know what I mean.a It killed me, just about broke my head in half, but I couldnat help the laugh that escaped while he fumbled for words.
aDonat laugh. Youall probably vomit on me, and then it will stink the whole car ride back to Brendaas.a The thought of that made my stomach roll. aAye, to be sure.a I kept my mouth shut, resolving to keep myself from doing just that.
Aunt Brenda and Mum got back in the car with an enormous silence bubbling between them. I knew what that meant. As soon as I felt better, there would be one h.e.l.l of an argument that would surely send Aiden running for the hills.
We made it to Aunt Brendaas without further incidenta and none too soon. Aiden slid me off his lap when Aunt Brenda opened my door. As soon as I saw gra.s.s, my stomach dumped itself inside out and squeezed.
Aunt Brenda got hold of me, keeping me from falling on my face as I leaned the majority of my weight against the car.
aAiden, lad. If ye keep breathina in like that, yeall pa.s.s right out in the drive, and Iall have no way te get ye in the house,a Aunt Brenda said as she patted me absently on the back.
I could hear him then, taking deep, sucking breaths from somewhere on the opposite side of the car.
aMaybe he canna stand the sound of her retching,a Mum said as her shoes came into view.
aIam fine,a Aiden answered as the view of his legs blocked out Mum. aBrenda, if youall get the door, Iall get Airen settled.a He picked me up slowly, careful not to jostle me like head done before when head lifted me off the couch. My head settled back on his chest, and I closed my eyes. I didnat care how I got to my bed, so long as I got there.
Cradling me close to him, Aiden made it up the stairs and managed to get my covers peeled back before laying me down gently. aIall have your mom or Brenda come up to help you change. Just remember, slow and easy. Okay?a I was going to answer him, but then he did something that stole the breath from my lungs. Leaning forward, he ran the tips of his fingers over the knot on my forehead and then down my cheek, tucking my hair behind my ear.
aGet some rest,a he said, stepping back from the bed and walking out, leaving me blinking back a rush of tears that flooded my eyes. My head throbbed double time with the extra pressure of trying not to cry.
Closing my eyes against the dull light coming in from my window, I willed my emotions to settle.
THE SKY WAS DARK WHEN I woke, but I could see Aidenas silhouette as he stood off to the side of my window, leaning with a shoulder against the wall, looking out. Hearing me move, he turned, giving me a smile. aHow ya feeling?a I had to think about it for a second. My head, while still attached, felt like a hammer-struck anvil, but I could at least move without feeling like Iad be physically ill. That was at least something. aBetter than earlier.a He walked over, sat down on the floor next to the bed, and leaned back, turning just enough so we could see each other. aDid you know between your mom and Brenda, I feel like Iave been through the Spanish Inquisition?a I couldnat help but laugh at the expression on his face and the thought of the two of them tag teaming him as they questioned him about his entire life. aAye, the two of them are right nosy.a Laughing, while barely doing much of it, hurt like h.e.l.l. I gasped and put my hand to my head.
Aiden moved to a kneeling position, looking me right in the eye, only not in a way that made my heart flutter. It felt clinical, especially when he fumbled in his pocket, pulling out a small, keychain flashlight. He clicked it on, and then swept a path of light across my eyes.
I squinted, wanting very much to hiss my disapproval. Before I could blink, Aidenas other hand came up and held my eyelid open. aHold still, only another second and Iall leave you alone.a He pa.s.sed the light in front of both eyes before clicking it off. aThe good news is that itas just a concussion. The bad news is that you wonat feel better until tomorrow. Maybe even the next day.a aLovely,a I replied, blinking rapidly as my tear ducts flooded. White dots looped and swirled in my vision, making it impossible to see anything until my eyes adjusted.
He moved back to his earlier position, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing his feet at the ankle. Folding his hands in his lap, he turned his head slightly, outlining the b.u.mp on his forehead.
Without thinking about it, I stretched my hand out, pushing back a chunk of sandy-blond hair to place the tips of my fingers against his skin. I could feel our pulses battering against one another just by that simple touch. His was strong and steady. Mine echoed on a softer cadence.
aYouare fingers are like ice,a he said, making me realize Iad lingered too long touching him.
aSorry,a I said, pulling my hand back, wondering just what in the h.e.l.l Iad been thinking, touching him so casually like that.
He sighed softly, eyes still closed. aPut your hand back; that actually felt good.a My heart sputtered, b.u.mping hard against my chest, and then went into a frantic beat that I could feel all the way in my throat. His hand fluttered into my vision, wavering around as if searching for mine. When his fingers found my arm, he guided them up to my wrist and moved my hand over, laying it across his forehead with another sigh. aThank you.a I leaned up on my elbow, bringing myself closer to him so that I didnat have to stretch so far to keep my hand on his head. aYouare welcome, I thinkaa I could feel him relax as he drew in another long breath and let it out.
For as comfortable as he was, I was the opposite. My nerves were stretched tight enough to snap.
Under my palm, Aidenas pulse beat a rea.s.suring, steady thrum. After a few minutes of continued silence, I felt myself calm down enough to think straight.
The heat coming from his skin warmed mine. Noticing this, I moved my hand, eliciting a groan from Aiden until I grabbed my pillow and moved to the other end of the bed. Propping myself up on my elbow, I placed my right hand on his head. aYe have a hard head. Did ye know that?a I wasnat sure what made me say that. It just seemed like for as close as I was curled up beside him, I needed to say something.
aThatas not the first time Iave heard that,a he answered with a touch of humor in his voice.
aOh? Do ye go around giving people a dunt in the head often?a I joked back at him.
aDunta? Oh! Uh, no. I try to avoid it as much as possible.a aSo, Aunt Brenda and Mum put you through a ton of questions, huh?a I asked, scrambling for something else to talk about.
aYou could say that.a His head bobbed under my head as he laughed.
aI can almost hear it now. Where do ye come from? What kind of work did ye do before you got here? How long will ye be staying? Where will ye go when ye leave? Blah, blah, blahaa He shifted under my hand, moving his head back and forth as if hollowing out a spot for it to sink into as he answered me. aYep, and that was just the warm up.a I rolled my eyes. aLet me guessa they asked you if you had a girlfriend and were you serious?a aActually, they didnat ask me that at all.a He sounded thoughtful over it.
aOh, aye, to be sure, that will be on the next round then,a I said, hefting a big sigh. aThey mean well, butaa aDonat worry about it. Iave been interrogated by better and came out unscathed. Although, my momma could probably give aem a run for their money.a He sat forward. Turning, he gave me a toothy smile and winked. aDo you have an extra pillow?a His question caught me off guard for a minute. After staring at him like an idiot for a few seconds, I pulled myself together and grabbed the other pillow on my bed, handing it to him.
aThanks,a he said, tossing it on the floor and moving to lie on his stomach.
In what seemed like no time at all, Aidenas breathing changed to the rhythmic rise and fall of someone fast asleep. Head tucked one hand under the pillow, giving me a full view of his face.
For the life of me, I couldnat stop studying every single beautiful feature. The straight line of his nose. The st.u.r.dy angle of his jaw. Dark eyelashes that fanned over his cheeks. Soft lips made for kissing.
Sighing, I forced myself to lie back down, close enough to the edge of the bed where I could look at him one last time before I closed my eyes.
Sleep didnat come to me. Having Aiden on my floor, filling my room with the gentle sounds of his breathing, wasnat just a distractiona"it was almost torture.
Aunt Brenda came to check on me an hour or so later. She spoke in hushed tones as she handed me headache medicine and a gla.s.s of water. I drank half the gla.s.s and set it down on my nightstand, thinking Aiden might want some when he woke up.
aPoor lad,a she said, peering over the bed where he slept. aI offered him the other guest bedroom, but he turned it down. I guess he felt more comfortable in here with you.a I rolled my eyes at her. aMaybe he just figured if he escaped up here, that you and Mum would stop pestering him.a Her fingers pressed against her mouth as her eyes twinkled and her shoulders jiggled.
aI donat understand whatas so funny about it. Heas in no better shape than I am, and the two of ye went on te stickina yer noses where they neednat be.a Aunt Brendaas hand fell away from her mouth. aCareful, la.s.s. Heas a good lad, but heas still a stranger, aye?a Disbelief rolled through me. aA stranger ye tried setting me up with.a aThereas something afoot, Airen. I canna put my finger on it yet, but thereas something about him that heas no telling us.a My stomach rolled, but I kept my thoughts to myself as she pegged me with a look that said she really wanted me to pay attention to her gut feeling. Aunt Brendaas gut feelings were hardly ever wrong.
aNow, mind,a she continued on, unaware of how much shead unsettled me. aI wouldna let him stay if I thought he was dangerous. And with whatas happened, having a braw lad about the house wouldna come amiss, aye?a I nodded, darting a look at Aiden on the floor. It was hard to believe he was anything other than a good guy whoad shown up at a very bad time in our lives.
aHere, I brought these up for him,a she said, handing me more headache medicine. aIall be back in a little bit te check on ye again.a I set the pills down beside the gla.s.s of water as she left and then curled up on my side, thinking about what shead said. He was a stranger after all, but one whoad wrapped me in his arms and made me feel safe.
Shifting my pillow under my head, I moved a little closer to the edge of the bed. Aiden hadnat budged since head fallen asleep. I forced myself to look away from him, staring at the spot by my window where head been when I woke up.
On the floor was a fairly decent-sized bag, one that didnat belong to me. Had Aiden brought it with him? If he had, why bring it upstairs to my room?
The answer dawned on me immediately. He brought it up here so that Aunt Brenda and Mum wouldnat go nosing through his stuff.
Even after Aunt Brendaas warning, I had a hard time believing Aiden was someone we couldnat trust. I was sure she knew it too, but with the threat of Uncle Robert, I could hardly blame her for wanting to be careful. She also didnat know about his gun.
His gun!
Had he stowed it in his bag?
I pushed the covers back and sat up. Itas an invasion of privacy, Airen, my conscious told me. You didnat care for it too much when Liv went through your stuff and stole your money.
Aye, Iad been p.i.s.sed. But I wasnat after stealing anything. I just wanted to have a keek. And if the roles were reversed? Would you like it if he went through your stuff?
I batted away the internal nattering and put one foot over the side of the bed. The tips of my toes brushed the carpet as the doorbell rang. Aiden shot up from the floor into a crouch, grabbed his bag, and tossed it on my bed.
Scrambling out of his way, I watched as he slid the zipper in one sharp pull, retrieved the gun inside, and crossed the room to my open door. Both hands were on the gun, pointing it at the floor as he leaned past the doorjamb to listen.
My heart skittered, pumping blood so fast through my body that my vision wavered as I fought to keep a tidal wave of panic from swallowing me.
I heard everything as if the sounds around me were amplified. The sound of the lock sliding. The door creaking open. Aunt Brendaas voice as she spoke.
Aiden turned back to look at me, sliding his gun under his shirt. aItas Agent Jackson.a I blew out an unsteady breath, putting my legs over the side of the bed to stand. Once on my feet, I flicked a nervous glance at Aidenas bag on my bed and then at him.
aYou okay?a he asked, taking a step towards me.
aAre you hiding something from us?a The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
He seemed confused as he asked, aIn my bag?a I hugged my arms against my chest, biting at my lip as I wondered just how in the h.e.l.l to ask him what I really wanted to know.
aAiren?a He said my name softly as if asking me to look at him. As I did, the stairs squeaked and Aiden stuck his head out.
aThereas a man here by the name of Agent Jackson. He said he spoke to ye this morning.a Mumas voice held a hint of mistrust as she spoke to Aiden.
aAiren and I were just on our way down,a Aiden answered, beckoning me to join him in the hallway.
He waited there for me even after Mum made her way back down the stairs. I could hear the distinctive squeak of the third step from the bottom as I stopped beside Aiden.
He put his hand out, brushing my hair over my shoulder. aI know I donat have the right to ask you this, but Iall ask it anyway. Trust me, Airen. Can you do that?a aAnd if I trust ye? Will ye tell me what the h.e.l.l is going on?a I asked, catching his fingers as they dropped down to his side, squeezing them as if it would keep him rooted to the spot and make him tell me the truth.
Something flashed across his face, but he looked away before I could read into it further. aLetas go see what Agent Jackson wants.a I let go of his hand and moved back a step. aIf ye want my trust, thatas no the way to go about it, Aiden.a I walked away from him, leaving him to make my way downstairs.
No sooner did my foot land on the next step than Aiden caught me by the wrist, stopping me from going any further. His gaze roamed my face as if head find the words he needed to say written on my skin. aItas important to me to keep you and your family safe. If nothing else, trust me about that.a He didnat let go until he moved past me on the stairs and jogged down them.
Head meant it. I wasnat sure how I knew it, but I did. He meant it with everything in him, but why?
BY THE TIME I GOT to the bottom of the stairs, Aiden had disappeared into the dining room. I could hear them making small talk as everyone settled in for Agent Jacksonas visit.
aWhereas Airen? I thought she was coming down with ye?a Mum asked, making me pick up the pace before she came looking for me.
I walked into the dining room just as Aiden opened his mouth to answer. aIam right here.a Agent Jackson got to his feet. aNice to see you again, Ms. Campbell,a he said, darting a look back and forth between Aiden and me as if noting something.
Pulling out the chair to his left, he motioned for me to sit. When I did, he and Aiden sat as well.
aAye, they cracked heads earlier, Agent Jackson.a Aunt Brenda answered the silent question. aQuite literally, I might add.a Agent Jackson zeroed in on Aiden, a frown forming on his lips. aWas there a problem?a The question seemed to be directed specifically at Aiden, but he flicked a glance at everyone after a moment, seeking an answer to his question.
Aiden cleared his throat, bringing Agent Jacksonas attention back to him. aThereas no problem, sir. It was an accidenta"a I wasnat sure why I jumped in, but I did because it didnat seem fair that Aiden be put under the spotlight for something that had clearly been nothing more than a stroke of bad timing on both of our parts. aHe was coming in Aunt Brendaas officea"a aAt the same time as she came barreling out,a he added.
aAnd, bam! They fell on the floor like two landed fish,a Aunt Brenda said, smacking her hands together. Amus.e.m.e.nt shone on her face as she filled in the rest.
Agent Jacksonas brow lifted. aI see.a aNow that weave got that out of the way, can ye tell me who ye are and what yer doing here?a Aunt Brenda asked, putting the spin on not only the mood of the room, but on the conversation itself. It never ceased to amaze me how she could take command of a situation.
Agent Jackson didnat even seem the slightest ruffled when he answered. aIam here on behalf of a private sector of the American government to find and detain Robert Anderson, better known in the underground world as Robert de Fleur.a Mum gasped in shock. aThat b.l.o.o.d.y bastart!a Agent Jackson leaned forward, his interest peaked. aThis is obviously unsettling news to you. What Iad like to know, maaam, is why?a I couldn"t help but wonder the same thing.
THE REACTION FROM MINA WAS startling. Not so much as what she said, but how she said it. For whatever reason, the fact that Robert had used the name de Fleur enraged her. Her cheeks blazed with twin spots of red as her eyes pinched.
Brenda fumed silently beside her, reaching out to take her hand.
aIt means nothing, Mina, especially coming from the likes of him.a Brenda made it sound so final, as if it wasnat anything to discuss.
Grant shot me a brief look, wondering if I knew why shead had such a strong reaction to the name Robert de Fleur.
Airen missed nothing. Not her motheras reaction. Not Grantas subtle look at me. And not the way that Brenda tried to calm the situation by dismissing it.
Sitting up straighter in her chair, Airen leaned in, making sure to look at everyone. aWell, Iad say there are more than a few secrets sitting around this table.a I fought every instinct I had to keep from fidgeting the way one would if they had something to hide.
She sighed, settling back in her seat, and said, aIall go first. Uncle Robert sought me out the week before I left.a aWhy didnat ye say something, Airen?a Brenda asked, sounding hurt that she had kept it from her.
Airen shrugged. aBecause, Auntie, what good would it have done to tell ye? Besides, all he did was introduce himself and say head be seeing me.a She paused, waving a dismissive hand. aI just decided it be best to leave before he got the chance.a Mina slapped her hand against the dining room table. aAnd now heas back, threatening to take ye. Ye daft girl. Do ye have no sense? Running off with the threat oa that man hanging oaer yer head!a aHe wasnat over my anything! I told ye, he just introduced himself to me and told me head bea"a Mina b.u.t.ted in. aSeeing ye. Aye, I ken what ye said, but did ye no think for a single minute how odd it was that he just showed up?a Grant kept his mouth closed. I knew why too. There was no way head interrupt what would be one h.e.l.l of a family argument. And family arguments, uninterrupted, led to more details in one heated conversation than hours of questioning done by a stranger.
aOf course I did! How could I not? Yeave done nothing but keep his existence a complete mystery. I had to go digging te find out about him!a Airen fired back at her mother.
aWhy, Airen? Why would you go digging around about him? What good would it do ye te know the vile things heas done?a Minaas words warbled as she fought the tears pooling in her eyes.
Grant cleared his throat. aMrs. Campbell, we have an extensive history on Robert Anderson, but what weave never been able to make a connection to is the use of the name de Fleur. What sort of meaning does it have for him?a Mina snorted, but she remained stoically silent.
Brenda pushed her chair back from the table. aAiren, do ye feel well enough to start some tea? Aiden, be a dear and help her. Mina, Iall have a word with ye in the living room, please. Agent Jackson, if you would be so kind as to give us a few minutes?a She addressed everyone without waiting for a reply, expecting all of us to follow along with what shead said as she left the dining room. Mina and Airen stood at the same time, each making a noise of exasperation.
I went to stand, but Airen put her hand on my shoulder. aI can handle the tea. Besides, ye need the rest if I think sheas going to do what I think she is.a Airen no sooner disappeared into the kitchen when an argument broke out in the living room. Mina and Brenda either didnat care that everyone could hear them, or they were too caught up in anger to lower their voices.
aYer daft!a Mina cried out.
aOh, and ye think heall just go away on his own then?a Brenda replied.
aHeas a dangerous man. Ye ken what he was like as a lad! Heas made his threats before, Brenda. Heall no get what he wants this time either,a Mina hissed.
aItas different this time, Mina. This time, heas threatening Airen!a Brendaas voice rose.
It grew very silent as Grant and I listened for Mina to answer.
aWhat? What are ye not saying, Mina?a Brenda sounded shocked.
I had a feeling the next thing to come out of Minaas mouth would not only floor Brenda, but upset Airen as well.
Airen came back into the dining room with a large tea tray filled with cups, a steaming pot of tea, and all the fixings. aYeall have to excuse them. They have an odd way of talking things out.a She set them on the table, wiping her hands down her pant legs with a sigh. aIall just go and get them.a I grabbed her arm, halting her as Brendaas holler boomed throughout the house. aAnd ye think that changes things?a Airen jumped as her hand flew up to her throat. aOh, Mum.a She sagged until she was sitting on the arm of my chair.
Putting my arm around her, I kept her from sliding to the floor. Grant cut me a look of warning, like an adult calling out his son for bringing home a girl he didnat approve of.
aMs. Campbell, do you have any idea what theyare talking about?a Grant asked.
Airenas eyes never left the doorway that led to the living room.
I tightened my hold around her to get her attention. aAiren?a She turned her widened eyes on me. aHuh?a aGrant asked if you knew what they were talking about.a A confused look came over her face. aGrant?a Oh, s.h.i.t! Head never introduced himself by his full name. aAgent Grant Jacksonaa I said, nodding in Grantas direction.
The scowl on his face smoothed as she turned her head to look at him. aJust an auld quarrel they canna get over.a Before Grant could ask her anything else, Brenda stormed into the kitchen with arms loaded full of photo alb.u.ms. aThis is a whole lot more serious than I thought, Agent Jackson. And believe me when I tell ye, Iall do whatever it takes to get the likes oa him off the streets and out of our lives once and for all.a Grant stood, taking the heavy load from Brenda and putting it on the table as a white-faced Mina came in and sat down.
aLadies, I will do everything in my power to do just that,a Grant a.s.sured them. aNow, letas start out with the name de Fleur and work from there, since Mrs. Campbell had such a strong reaction to it.a aReaction, aye, but itas no what you might think,a Brenda answered, going around the table and moving the top two photo alb.u.ms. Picking up the third one, she flipped the pages open, remaining quiet until she found what she was looking for. When she found it, she set the book down facing Grant.