Page 113 of No Promises, No Lies

Aidan lifts me up and I cling to him. My arms wrap around the back of his head, letting him own my mouth. He holds me closer, deepening the kiss as he moves us through his room. My eyes close, savoring every bit of him, inhaling his scent—committing it forever to memory.

After what seems like an eternity, he pulls away, breaking the kiss. I peer up at him through my lashes, his face a mix of awe and regret. “I love you too.”The heart threatens to beat right out of my chest, warmth filling my body at Aidan’s words:“But I made a promise to keep you safe, and I always keep my promises.”

Confused, I open my mouth, but it’s too late. He tosses me. I let out a surprised grunt when I land on a soft heap of fabric, searching for Aidan, demanding an explanation.

My entire body goes rigid when I realize where I am… Too distracted by Aidan’s kisses, to notice where he was bringing me—the guest room closet.

Aidan stands in the doorway, a tortured expression on his face.

Having already wasted too much time, I scramble up, tripping over myself in my haste to reach the door, but it’s too late.

With one last forlorn look my way, Aidan slams the closet door shut just as my body crashes into it. The telltale sound of a lock clicking sends me spiraling, screaming, banging up up against the door, kicking it with my boot, but it’s no use…

Aidan’s already gone.

And I’m too late to stop it.

67

BLADES & BETRAYAL

RORY

After about ten minutes of fruitless banging and throwing myself into the closet door, to no avail, I realize Aidan’s same bag of old hockey equipment is lying feet from me. He must have thrown it back in here after I left. Digging through it, I find my favorite pair of old hockey skates.

Gripping the skate tightly in my hands, I go savage on the closet door, the thick wood taking the brunt of my rage and the pent up frustration that has been building for weeks. I focus my attention near the doorknob, working to create a hole big enough for me to reach through and unlock it from the other side, when the door suddenly opens.

Mid-swing, I fall through the open doorway, both Liam and I screaming as he lunges to catch me while avoiding the blade I’m bringing down like a hammer.

We land in a heap on the floor.

“Goddamn girl, Aidan said you were crazy but?—”

“Where is he?” already halfway to my feet, skate in hand, ready to fight.

“He’s already gone,” Liam sighs, “and Alex and I are under explicit instructions to keep you here.”

I reel on him, the skate already out of my hands, flying over Liam’s head while he ducks dramatically before it lodges itself into a framed picture of Aidan skating in his Breakers uniform, glass shattering to the floor, fury drowning out the hurt.

Liam straightens, twisting behind him to catch sight of the skate half stuck in Aidan’s head before whipping back to me, “No need to draw the claws, little lion, just following orders.” He holds up his hands, feigning innocence as he scans over me, searching for the second skate I might have hidden behind my back.

Ignoring him, I sprint to the elevator and skid to a stop in front of it. A familiar keypad pops up when I hit the bottom and I let out a screech of frustration, turning to find Alexei watching me calmly from a few feet away, one eyebrow raised.

Liam appears, looking a little rough for wear, exchanging a look with Alexei.

“Open the door,” I demand, staring them both down.

“You know we can’t do that, Rory,” Alexei says, while having the audacity to look apologetic.

“Open the fucking door!” I slam my hand up against the keypad and the lights flash, but the door remains shut tight.

“He’s a big boy Rory, he’s made his decision…”

“He made thewrongdecision. It should be me we’re trading for Reagan. Me,” the last word breaks on a sob.

Alexei steps forward, braving my fury and dodging my fists to drag me into a hug. I cry into his hard chest.

“Let me go after him,” I plead, my voice cracking.

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