Page 17 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

Then I’d gotten the second flower and thought this was his way of apologizing. Of saying he was sorry he’d questioned me, that he ever thought I’d let Lexi get hurt, or that he doubted me even for a second.

That maybe he had loved me all those years ago. Such silly thoughts that a flower could convey so much. That creepy feeling of being watched from four months ago had started up again. So I either had a secret admirer or a stalker. And neither was a good thing.

I lifted the delicate blossom to the tip of my nose and breathed in deep. I refused to let whoever it was ruin my love of this flower.

I sighed and turned my head to stare out Lexi’s side of the window. We were getting closer to my neighborhood. Alden was taking me home first it seemed. I wondered if it was because it was easier or so he didn't have to be alone with me.

Reina popped her little head out of my purse. It was time to eat so I knew she was getting hungry. I rubbed her head and whispered nonsense words to her.

“You can’t let him believe that you know,” Lexi stated, sounding annoyed.

Alden tensed next to me.

“Lexi...” I answered with a warning tone. We’d discussed this years ago. It was better Alden not know. He was close to his sister, and I never wanted to come between them.

“Know what?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I muttered.

Reina stilled under my hand, sensing my tension. Her mini-kitty roar filled the cab. My baby, protecting me. If I didn’t already adore this cat more than anything she would have stolen my heart just now. I shushed her.

“I’ve been in touch with Jess since I was fifteen,” Lexi answered quietly, lifting her head off of my shoulder to look at Alden.

I bit my lip.Oh, fuck.

Alden didn’t say a word. He didn’t look at us. He didn’t even grunt, which is often how he communicated around other people. The silence in the truck tugged at my nerve endings, making them fire, and my limbs twitch, as each second ticked by.

“When did you go to the warehouse?” he finally asked.

“In January or February,” Lexi answered.

“You came to me in April,” he growled at me, finally turning his attention to me.

Alden was smart. I knew he’d already put the pieces together. When I’d told him I needed a bodyguard I’d hoped that by offering to help Lexi with her career it would sway him to help me. I wasn’t an idiot. People in my circle only did things for me if they could get something out of it. Hell, even my own parents used me.

Now that he knew the truth, would he walk away? Tell me to hire another security firm? Nothing had changed for me. I wouldn't feel safe with anyone but him and, by extension, Gage because Alden trusted him.

My muscles tensed as I waited for his rejection. When he didn’t say anything, I slowly turned my head to look at him. His jaw was clenched as he stared straight ahead.

We arrived at my house a few minutes later and Alden flashed his ID to get into my gated community. He finally turned to me once we pulled into the circular driveway. “Gage’s inside. You and I will talk when I get back.”

I shrugged and slid out of the car after Lexi.

She hugged me and whispered, “It’s going to be all right.”

“You didn’t have to tell him. I told you I didn’t want to come between the two of you.” That was my biggest fear. Lexi might think of me as a big sister, but she idolized her brother. It would destroy her to not have him in her life.

“It’s about time he knew, Jess. I’m a big girl. I’ll text you when I get home so you know that Alden is still speaking to me.” Lexi squeezed tighter and kissed my cheek. “I’m right about this.” She jumped back into the truck and waved until I got into the house.

I closed the door and leaned against it. My heart grew heavy, like someone was pouring lead into it. I knew once Alden got back, he’d pack his bags and be gone. He’d never promised to stay and now that he knew I’d been lying to him there was no reason not to go.

I put the cupcakes on the nearby console before picking Reina up and out of the purse. The moment her paws hit the floor she scampered off to find her food and litter box.

“What the fuck, Jess?” A nearby voice growled.

I jumped, clutching the flower tightly to my chest.

“Hey.” I offered a weak smile to Gage and gestured to the sugary delights. “Want a cupcake? I got ones I think you’ll love.”

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