Page 77 of Aydin

“Here’s to all-consuming love.” Dani clinked her glass with ours.

“How’s work for you, Dani?” I’d been so wrapped in my life, that Dani and I didn’t get much time to talk like we used to do.

“Work is work for the most part.”

“Are you still dating?”

“I am, and you won’t believe it, but your old blind date has found a new love.”

“Really?”

A part of me was happy for him, but another part was resentful because he wasn’t comfortable with my job and being around so many men. To me, everyone felt like big brothers and no amount of money would make me see them in a sexual way. Well, Aydin was a different man altogether. The presence that he exuded was intimidating and demanding, but he was sweet in how he cared for the people he loved. I continued to listen to Molly describe her wedding details. Almost everyone from the team went to her wedding. Her parents loved her husband, and the feeling was mutual from his family. The laughs we had went on for about another two hours and four drinks. I ended with water on the ride home to sober up. When I entered the bedroom and kicked my shoes off, Aydin was sleeping in bed. I’d already texted I was on my way home and not to stay up. After removing my jacket, I slipped out of the leather pants, heels, and sleeveless top and crawled in next to him. He felt me get under the covers, kissed the side of my neck, and went back to sleep. My heart felt content and happy to have him in my corner.

* * *

.

AMELIA

Today, I was back at my apartment to grab a few more of my things before I returned to Aydin’s place. Even though he made me promise to use his guards, I refused to live like some helpless person, so they were outside in the car waiting for me. Addison was missing in the wind after Aydin confronted her in Chicago, and Tristan was fired, but charges were still pending on him for the accounting fraud. I unlocked my door and pushed forward, picking up the mail off the floor. I sighed and dropped the bills in my purse, closed the door, and turned to head to the kitchen when a glove-covered hand went over my mouth.

“Keep quiet, and I won’t kill you,” he harshly whispered in my ear.

I remembered the musk cologne from the night of the party when I bumped into him after I left the room.

Ring!

He put a finger up to his lips to be quiet, and I nodded in agreement as tears pooled into my eyes. He removed the phone from his pocket and answered.

“Do you have her?”

I started to scream when I recognized Addison’s voice. I heard a deadly laugh over the phone.

“You have my money.” His cold eyes bore into mine, and I gulped, feeling a tightness in my stomach. I made the worst mistake by not listening to Aydin and running back here alone.

“I have it. Bring her to me.”

“Send me the address.” He ended the call, reached back in his pocket, and pulled out a syringe. I tried to buck against him to get away, but then I felt a sharp poke to my neck and things blurred, slowly my eyes got drowsy and everything went black.

“Sleeping beauty.”

Slowly, my eyes fluttered open, and my throat felt dry. I touched my forehead and closed my eyes again from the pounding migraine.

“How much did you give her?” I heard a woman’s voice.

“Enough to keep her quiet to get her out of the building.”

“Anyone see you?”

“No, I avoided all the cameras.”

“Good. This bitch has caused more problems than I need.”

“You know this will only bring on more problems.” A third voice sounded familiar. I started to sit up when I felt a tightness on my wrist and saw handcuffs on both sides of me. I looked down and saw I was still dressed on top of a table.

“Arghhh.” I tried to yank my hand again.

“How much time do you think it’ll be before they come after her?”

---