Page 91 of Aiden

Now, it’s my turn.

I’ve never seen him in person as I was too scared to go to the court hearings. I saw his blurry mugshot in the paper once, never on the news though... I couldn’t bear to look while my mom watched the segments. I expected to see a monster, yet I didn’t. Asides from his orange jumpsuit and shackles, he looks…normal.

My hands shake as he looks into my eyes, his expression thoughtful. Aiden taps the table and Thomas’s attention snaps to him.

Aiden proceeds to set the rules. “Look down, unless she asks you to look at her. Don’t speak, unless she asks you to speak to her. If you make her uncomfortable in any way, I won’t hesitate to take you out. Do you understand?” His tone is intimidating.

Thomas bows his head, but I note a smile playing on his lips. His expression is blank when he lifts his head and he doesn’t look at me.

I take a deep breath. I had concocted a solid one-sided conversation in my head on the ride here, but now…with him, in front of me, my thoughts are jumbled. I can’t put the pieces together.

Deep breaths.

“All I want to say,” I pause, gathering my courage. “Look at me.” He obeys, his smokey eyes look back at me. “I wanted to let you know that you not only ended my father’s life, you ended a lot of other things too.”

I sit up straighter, taking courage from Aiden’s reassuring hand interlaced with mine. “My mom lost the love of her life, and I don’t say that lightly. Their love has no boundaries. My father never got to attend my high school graduation, he never got to send me off to college. He will never get to walk me down the aisle.” I choke on my last words and Aiden rubs his thumb along my shaking hand.

Thomas bows his head, looking up when Aiden taps the table in warning, his expression is pained.

It infuriates me.

“I don’t know why they’re releasing you. You don’t deserve to see the light of day again. You’ll never have the kind of life my dad lived. You are nothing. No one. A drunk. My father was an honorable man. He was protecting this city, but evil men like you are everywhere. I know what it’s like now.” He cocks his head to the side. “I know what it’s like for your life to be in danger. I’ve faced men like you. Fuck you.”

With that, I burst into tears.

Aiden leans me into his shoulder before gesturing for the guards.

“She’s done,” He says to Howard.

I nod.

Thomas clears his throat and looks at me. “What do y–”

“Don’t you dare fucking speak.” Aiden’s voice booms through the quiet room.

My eyes are blurry, but I can see Aiden’s chest rising and falling as he attempts to calm himself. I’ve said what I needed to and now, I just want to get out.

I clutch onto Aiden’s hand as we make our way to the parking lot. He gets a phone call and lets go of my hand for a moment. Still unbalanced by my emotions and tear-soaked vision, I clumsily trip over my own feet andfall face first onto the pavement. I scream slightly, throwing my hand out to catch myself.

Aiden is by my side in a flash, concern all over his face. “Babe, what happened?”

“I’m clumsy.” I shake my head, not wanting to admit that him holding me gives me so much strength and courage that when he let go, I couldn’t physically hold myself up any longer. I know I’m a strong girl, but I need him right now. I have no shame in that.

Aiden examines the damage before scooping me up and depositing me in the backseat, snapping at Howard to grab the first aid kit.

“Don’t snap at him!” I scold lightly, but Aiden ignores me.

Howard holds out the alcohol and gauze, which Aiden snatches and begins cleaning me up. I pull away and shoot him a look.

“Thank you.”

Howard nods, uncomfortable with even the slightest appreciative words.

I let out a small laugh. Even though it’s brief, it warms my cheeks.

After I’m cleaned and bandaged – only minor scratches, but I still look beautiful, Aiden claims – he holds me while Howard drives us home.

I’m ready for this shit day to be over.

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