Page 43 of Barbed Wire and Burglary
The profound wisdom contained in the verses resonated deeply with her. “I really like what you said about being here for the time we’re meant to be. It helps.” It was far more comforting to think of her parents as having finished the race they were meant to run instead of their race being cut short.
Aaron returned, putting an end to their sidebar conversation.
“What if,” he moved to the sink to stare out the window over it, “we’ve stumbled across the same secret that took our parents out of the game? What if it’s the reason I was shot at? And poisoned? And nearly asphyxiated?”
Aurora gently pulled her hand away from A.J. “But why target you instead of me? I’m the one tightening up security to deter break-ins at jewelry stores.”
He pressed his palms against the cabinet and leaned forward on them. “The gas leak was more of a two-for-one deal. Maybe it was intended to take us both out at the same time.”
“Or,” A.J. countered, “Aaron is being targeted to disrupt the line of succession at Diamondback. At one point, didn’t you say he was slotted to become the next CEO?”
“Was and still is,” she confirmed. “Uncle Cary is only serving as a placeholder until Aaron is ready to step in and take over. He never wanted the job to begin with.”
“Yeah, he’s been doing a lot of griping lately,” Aaronsighed, “about how he’s already been there longer than he intended to be.”
A.J. grew thoughtful as he listened and absorbed what her brother was saying. “I’ve got an idea. You won’t like it, Aaron. You will, Aurora.”
“Bring it on!” She rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
“I propose that you and I pay a visit to Diamondback this weekend, assuming I can find someone to cover for my shift at the auto body shop. Surely, you can come up with an excuse to pay your uncle a visit?”
Excitement fluttered through her at the thought of having him all to herself for a few days. “Actually, I received an invitation to a friend’s wedding a while back.”
“Perfect!” His voice grew more animated. “While we’re there, we’ll search for any evidence of data leaks at Diamondback, plus hidden cameras and recording devices. Anything that would indicate that they’ve been compromised.”
“It’s a date.” She’d start packing right away. “Speaking of proposals, we have something kind of huge to share with my brother, don’t we?”
Aaron pivoted away from the sink. “Do you mean what I think you mean?”
“No idea. I can’t read your mind,” she teased, fluttering her left hand at him.
He looked puzzled. “What’s that?”
“It’s a promise ring.”
“If you say so.” He shot an inscrutable look at A.J. “It’s not like any promise ring I’ve ever seen.”
She burst out laughing. “That’s because it’s made from a grenade clip.” She quickly explained its significance.
His expression cleared. “Congratulations!” He moved across the room to envelop her in a bear hug. To A.J., he said gruffly, “You know what this means?”
A.J. sent him a thumbs-up.
“Just so there’s no confusion,” Aaron clarified in a firm voice, “it means you get to help me look after her from now on.”
“My pleasure,” A.J. assured smoothly.
She gave them an incredulous look. “Quit talking about me like I’m not right here!” She was secretly grateful to have two such incredible men in her life who cared about her safety.
Bandit leaped into the fray, climbing into her lap to press his head against her neck. He didn’t know what was going on, but he didn’t want to be left out of whatever it was.
She kissed the top of his head.
A.J. cleared his throat to regain their attention. “You ready to hear the part you’re not gonna like, bro?” He directed the question to her brother.
“Nope.” Aaron returned to his seat at the table. “But something tells me you’re going to lay it on me, anyway.”
“That I am,” A.J. agreed. “Here’s the deal. Aurora and I need you to make Elise feel so needed in Heart Lake that she decides to extend her visit for a day or two.”
