Page 12 of Saving Hanna
Chapter Nine
AIDEN
I had no idea when I offered to take Hanna home that I would be driving in the worst residential area of Houston. I was afraid to let her out of the car. I knew exactly what kind of neighborhood she lived in. The only people that lived in this area were either crackheads or drug dealers. I didn’t know what her financial situation was, but given the history of how she lost home in Danbury, which by all accounts was no better than this place, but at least safer, this was the responsibility of her low-life brother.
Pulling up to a shit pile of a house, I made a note to myself to find out more about Carter Marsh. No one should live in these conditions. After I shifted the car into park, I looked over to her and said, “I wasn’t expecting this.”
“I know, it looks pretty bad, but by the end of the week I will be out of here,” Hanna said confidently.
There was no way I was going to let her get out of the car. Taking hold of her arm as she unbuckled her seat belt, I got her attention and said, “I’m coming with you, but only to get what you need until you move. You’re staying with me, Hanna.”
I might have insulted her as an expression of annoyance was plastered all over her face. She pulled her arm away and said, “It may not be up to your standards, but it is where I live.”
“It’s not safe, Hanna.”
“It’s not for you to decide where I live.”
I knew that this argument was going nowhere. She was as stubborn as an old mule. If she wasn’t going to listen to me, then it was up to me to make sure she was safe. Pulling away from her house, I kept my eye on the road and said, “Put your seatbelt on.” She was just about to protest when I stopped her. “Now! Hanna.”
I may have been a little stern with her, but I would have a clear conscience knowing that I wouldn’t have to worry about finding her dead. Without another word, she buckled her seatbelt. I hid my smile, but I was pleased that she did as I wished.
The further we got away from her neighborhood, the more I got the feeling that different thoughts were going through her mind. Trying my best not to show my authoritarian side, I asked delicately, “What is it, Hanna?”
“I don’t know what just happened. I don’t have anything with me and tomorrow I need to work and have nothing to wear.” There was an uncertainty in her tone and she was genuinely concerned about what to do.
I almost laughed at her comment, but seeing the worry on her face, I knew that it would make her more agitated. Giving her a sympathetic smile, I reassured her, “Hanna, don’t worry, everything will be taken care of.”
~*~*~*~
Entering the house, Albert was waiting at the door. At first look, he seemed confused, but something must have changed that when he took a look at Hanna. Whatever confidence she had when we left was replaced with defeat. There really wasn’t any need for it, especially since everything had already been taken care of. Requesting that she rest before lunch, I waited until she was out of earshot. When she disappeared out of sight, I looked to Albert and said, “I need you to find out everything you can about Carter Marsh.”
Albert was like family, so he asked, “May I ask why, Aiden?”
“If you had seen where she lives, you would understand. Her brother is responsible and I believe that it is only fair that he pay for what he did,” I said, trying to hold back the anger I had for him. “I’m having Hanna stay here at the house until she has someplace safe to move to. Make sure she has everything that you think a woman needs.”
“I understand. Everything you requested will be provided. Ms. Marsh should be very comfortable here.”
“Thank you, Albert.”
I was happy that Albert knew enough about women to get all the essentials that Hanna needed in order to spend a few days with me. When I told him Hanna was staying at the house and to make every effort to make her comfortable, I was glad to see that he knew exactly what I meant.
Taking my leave, I headed to my study to do a little research of my own on Mr. Carter Marsh. If nothing else, maybe I could at least find out where he lived. And if I got lucky, I might be able to pay him a visit before Hanna woke up. Pouring myself a brandy, I took a seat at my desk and began my search. Plugging in his name, I thought how funny it was that things managed to pan out when you did a little research. I knew this man. Not by his real name, but by the one he gave me over a year ago. Eli Elms. I should have known his name was just as bogus as his credentials. “A consultant on foreign trade, my ass,” I said, having a conversation with myself. He was no more a consultant than I was the King of Egypt.
I never cared much for the guy and didn’t even know why I had done business with him. I could have kicked myself in the ass for falling for his con. The worst part was that theoretically, I was the one who took Hanna’s dreams away from her. I should have done my research and dug into where the funds came from for his venture. It should have been a red flag when he came up with the money to invest so quickly. Little did he know that he had been played.
Downing the rest of my drink, it was getting late and I knew that I didn’t have much time before Hanna would be awake. I searched for Albert to let him know that I was going out. Carter Marsh was going to get a rude awakening. I was going to show him once and for all: it was one thing to take from others to get what you wanted, but to take from your own family was just wrong and against everything I stood for.
My quest for revenge was stopped before I could open the front door. Her voice rang behind me, “Where are you going?”
Taking a moment to think of a good excuse, I turned to her to find that she was no longer in her wrinkled uniform, but instead, she was wearing a silk robe that had been slightly opened, exposing the nightgown she was wearing beneath it. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She was like an angel standing there. I had never seen anything more beautiful.
Releasing the handle to the door, Mr. Marsh would have to wait. Moving toward her and stopping at the foot of the steps, I was completely speechless as I continued to focus on only her. I could feel her become uncomfortable. When her arms crossed over her chest, I began walking up the steps. When I finally reached her, she was still shorter than me even though she was a step above me. There was only one thing that I wanted to do.
Placing my hand on her cheek, I lowered my head and confessed, “You are breathtaking,” before lowering my mouth to hers.
Everything about this moment was perfect. I had never invited a woman to stay at my home. Come to think of it, I never invited a woman to my home, period. With Hanna it was easy. And more than that, kissing her was real. She didn’t want anything from me.
I pulled her closer and deepened the kiss which put her slightly off balance. Wrapping my arms around her, I lifted her from the step and headed upward. I needed this. I needed her. I wanted nothing more than to take her.Fuck the one night. Pushing the door open with my foot, I entered my room. I couldn’t wait to be deep inside her.
