Page 18 of Deceitful Promises

I was wrong. I was so wrong. I can’t handle this. “Just. No. No more. Please.”

“That’s all ancient history. You’re going to meet her. She’s recovered from what happened, physically, at least.”

“She knows I’m coming, right? She’s excited to see me?”

Maybe I can let that flutter of hope inside grow into something larger. Perhaps I don’t have to be a slave to the sadness and the indecision. Maybe this can be a good thing. It won’t work long-term, obviously. I need to see my brothers again. They’re probably going crazy trying to figure out how I suddenly disappeared off the estate.

Aiden smiles. “Of course she is. She can’t wait.”

CHAPTER 9

AIDEN

As we drive into the city, I wonder why I lied. What the hell is wrong with me? Maybe it was the tragic way she was staring at me, so much hope in her beautiful face, her expression shifting from sadness as if she was letting in possible happiness. Now, she sits next to me, wearing tight-fitting black jeans and a flowy, bright-colored shirt that makes her look even smaller, more vulnerable, and more in need of protection.

“The East Coast is pretty gray, huh?” she says, trying to pretend she’s not nervous. Her hands are gripped together, almost like she’s praying, the anxiety evident, her foot constantly tapping.

“You get used to it,” I tell her.

“Hmm.”

I grin; I can’t help it. I don’t even turn away to hide it. She smiles at me. It’s a small moment, maybe the sort of thing most people wouldn’t even think to notice, but it’s much more significant to me. It means so much more. I’ve never genuinely smiled at awoman romantically. I’ve tried to fake it, to pretend I’m normal, but it’s never felt like this.

“I won’t get used to it, anyway,” she replies. “I can’t leave my brothers forever.”

“You’re better off away from criminals.”

“You seriously don’t understand who they truly are.”

“Let’s talk about this later,” I grunt. “Just think about your mom for now.”

She sighs, but I guess she takes my advice. We’re quiet as I cross the bridge to the city, the skyscrapers reaching high and gray and dreary. It’s like I’m seeing the city through her eyes. The closer we get, the more I must remind myself not to let my desire show. I don’t want Dad or Molly to see how badly I want her, my stepsister. Oh, hell, how have I forgotten this?

“You’ve got a brother, too,” I tell her. “Henry. He’s almost one.”

“A baby brother?” she squeaks, her voice bubbling up excitedly. She has almost manic energy, going from depressed to filled with enthusiasm. “What’s his name?”

“Henry. He’s named after my father’s father.”

“Wow! What’s he like?”

“A baby,” I chuckle. Laughing feels far easier than ever before, but I quickly stop myself. This is all getting too intimate. “He cries. He eats. He craps a lot.”

She giggles. “No, your dad.”

“Oh.” I drum my fingers on the steering wheel. “He’s a workaholic. He’s a Marine. When he retired, he started asecurity business. He built it into an empire. Now, he works with the government, private security, things like that.”

“My brothers have a security business, too.”

“Dad’s is the biggest in the country,” I tell her, “and it’s legitimate.”

“I wish you’d stop taking shots at my brothers.”

I grind my teeth but say nothing. We’ll just keep going in circles if I have to continue explaining that they’re criminals and deserve every goddamn thing I say about them.

“So, am I going to meet Henry, too?” Ania asks hesitantly.

“I’m not sure if he’ll be at breakfast,” I reply, “but I’m sure you will meet him soon.”

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