Page 49 of Aiden

My mom laughs before she helps me up and guides me to the kitchen table, the place where we have all our important discussions.

I tell her everything.

Well, not everything, but the gist of it. That I met a guy and I really liked him, but something happened. She hounds me, wondering if it’s his fault, but I assure her that it isn’t. I just want to come home and relax.

She’s quiet as we sit at our old kitchen table. Scratch marks from years of use make me smile. She places her hand on mine and changes the subject, for that I’m grateful.

“What do you want for dinner? Absolutely anything. You name it, I’ll make it.”

“Umm, roast? And maybe apple pie?” I look at her hopefully.

∞∞∞

I throw on a pair of slippers and go to grab the mail for Mom the next morning, Rex trotting along beside me. He’s been following me everywhere. I think he knows that I’ve broken my own heart.

I see Caleb across the street. The boy who broke my heart in high school.

I stare as he washes his white truck in his driveway. The same truck he kissed the head cheerleader in, while we were dating. Why was I so caught up with him back then? That slight pain is nothing compared to the breaking of my heart when I left Aiden behind.

What if I made a mistake?

What if he’s the one?

Fifteen

Aiden

∞∞∞

When you find the one, you’ll know.

I know it.

She knows it.

Fuck. Everyone knows it.

And yet, she left me.

I don’t blame her though. I quite literally put her life in danger. But I’ll be damned if I let something as miniscule as the fear of the Mafia separate us. We’re bigger than that. We’re destined for something greater.

I’d let her live without me, if I were a better man.

But I’m not, and she’s mine. It’s all very simple, really.

I’ll get her back. I’ll find her.

It won’t be hard.

Ashley tried to keep it from me, but after I asked her fifty times, she broke. I found out Emma’s been calling every few hours, wondering if I’m okay.

She’s too precious.

I know she’s safe. I only bothered Ash because I wanted to know if Emma contacted her. Em had a security detail on her since she left the hospital. Luckily, I told Ricky of my plans to have my best detail on the girls at all times before I got shot. I wanted them to follow her at every turn, and that’s what they’ve done.

I’m upset that she left her stuff behind. I enjoy her having nice things. Her phone is the worst though, smashed on the side of the road. I hate having to check in with the security personnel to get an update on her. My clever girl threw it out in case the guys that took her had implanted a tracking device.

The hospital wanted to hold me longer but fuck that. Ricky was cleared the day after we were brought in and he’s been taking care of Ash.

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