Page 27 of Rectify

“He might be a complete asshole, but he can be subtle when he wants to be,” Tanner assured her as Stanton moved away. “And he’s right. Odds are, whoever took Mateo has long left Hondo, anyway. The town is too small to effectively hide in.” Tanner stood. “Best idea right now is to rest. You don’t know when we might have to move. Collapsing with exhaustion won’t help anyone.”

Didn’t he think she knew that? But knowing you ought to sleep and actually managing to sleep were two different things.

“Should we go to the media with this?” Aedan asked Tanner. “I know some people. I could get Mateo’s face out there. Wouldn’t that help us find him?”

“With other missing children’s cases, that probably would help. However, that would bring in the cops and the FBI, and given the situation, we need to avoid that. Plus, we don’t want to tip off whoever took Mateo that Natalya has help. For the moment, let’s keep this low-key. Give my people the chance to find what leads they can first.”

Tanner left, leaving her with Aedan, who just stared at her. Feeling uncomfortable, she stood. “I guess I’ll go rest.”

It was the last thing she wanted to do, but she couldn’t take the tension between them any longer.

“I’ll walk up with you.”

Awkward silence accompanied them as they made their way upstairs. At her door, Natalya turned to him.

“Aedan, I know you?—”

“In your room. Now.” His expression remained distant, as though they were strangers. Natalya turned away to hide herpain. She opened the bedroom door. It was probably for the best if he just stayed away from her.

She gasped as he placed his hand on the small of her back and gently maneuvered her into the room, following her in before shutting the door behind him.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” he asked in a dark voice. “Why wouldn’t you ask me for help? I would have done anything to protect you.”

“I know that! But there was nothing you could do.”

His eyes widened. “Why? Because I’m not a vicious criminal?”

“Yes!” she cried out. “You don’t know that world. I didn’t want it touching you.”

Aedan cocked his head to one side as he studied her. He waved his hand around the room. “Have you forgotten whose house we’re in?”

“Rogan isn’t like these men.”

“You used to think he was scum.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve met scum. Rogan isn’t one of them. And you certainly aren’t. I was trying to protect you, Aedan.”

He paced the room. “So now I’m someone who needs protection? You must really think I’m a weak fool.”

“Of course I don’t.”Mierda!No matter what she said, he was taking it the wrong way. Was it so bad that she wanted to protect him?

“You went to another man for help, Natalya. Because you didn’t think I could protect you. You didn’t trust me to look after you.”

“That’s not true! All I wanted was to keep you safe. I loved you so much, Aedan. I’d have done anything to protect you.”

“You wanted to protect me, but didn’t think to give me the same courtesy? If you thought for one second that I didn’t feelthe same way about you, you’d be sorely mistaken. I would have done whatever I needed to do in order to ensure your safety!”

“I didn’t think there was anything you could do.”

“I’d have done anything I had to.Anything.Because I loved you.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry. I should have come to you. I made a mistake.”

“Yes, you did. One that cost us both. What I don’t understand is why come to me for help now? Why trust me now?”

“Because I have no other choice,” she whispered. She didn’t want to hurt him anymore, and yet that seemed to be all she ever did.

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