I think back to the other night at her mom’s house. She had stirred in my arms, a scream escaping her lips. I pulled her close and managed to calm her down.
Fuck. I should’ve known.
Smoothing her hair, I keep my voice strong and calm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She sighs. “I didn’t think it mattered.”
I roll my eyes. “Emilia, if anything ever bothers you like that, I need to know. What…what happens in your dreams?” She begins to cry again, and I almost tell her she doesn’t need to tell me. But I wait patiently. I need to know so I can help her.
“It’s...it’s different every time. But Lucio, he…” Her breath catches. “He stabbed me.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose in an attempt to rid my brain of the visual. “He’s dead, baby. Ricky checked every lifeless pulse in that warehouse, just to be sure. No one will harm you,” I assure her. But she continues to shake in my arms.
“I want you to see someone for me, baby.”
She lets out a small laugh. “What? Like a shrink?” She lifts a brow.
I nod.
“Aiden, you can’t be serious.” She pulls away, rolling her eyes.
“I wasn’t asking, Emilia.”
She doesn’t put up a fight and instead crawls on top of me.
Being a little late to work won’t hurt anyone.
I kiss her collarbone and rub my thumb against her perfect pout, before carrying her to the bathroom to draw her a bath. I’m thankful my bathtub is large enough to fit two. Once the tub is mostly filled, I undress the both of us before depositing Emma into the warm water.
I smile when her rigid body visibly relaxes as the warm water and bubbles envelope her. I wish we can do this every morning.
“You’re so fucking perfect.” I rub her feet, my eyes glued to how beautiful she looks in the morning. Her messy hair and sleepy eyes.
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Hey look.”
Her eyes dart to my face.
I bring the frothy bubbles to my chin and make a foam beard, eliciting a giggle from her. What the fuck is she doing to me?
She needs peace of mind. She trusts me enough to come back with me.
I have so much shit to do to ensure she’s as safe as possible. I’m going to be busier than usual.
This girl, with her smile and slight attitude. Her courage and her beautiful looks as well as her smarts. She is the most important thing in my life. I don’t want her to feel anything less than happy at all fucking times.
I don’t give a fuck about myself.
But, her?
She is everything.
Twenty
Aiden surprises me when I step into the kitchen.
His suit is tailored perfectly to his lean frame, and the dark as night material looks perfect against his tan skin. I kind of wish I took his offer as his assistant so I could see that all day. But I need to do this on my own.
I found a few affordable colleges in the area. It may be a quick judgment to move my life here, but Aiden is right. I have nothing in Corvallis. Ashley is here. It’s not like I loved my school and, as a bonus, there are more opportunities here.
I’m also seeing someone about my nightmares. The medicine is helping and talking to someone is nice but what I really need is for Aiden to be home. His late nights are starting to take a toll on me.
I smile as I head towards him. “I thought you left while I got ready.”
He smirks, placing his warm hands on my hips.
The fabric of my dress does nothing to mask the perfect heat that radiates from his touch. I’m wearing a form fitting, navy blue dress I borrowed from Ashley a while back. I have an interview for a baker’s assistant position today and needed something that screams “hire me”. I straighten my hair for a more sleek, professional look. A little makeup and I look alive.
“I wanted to make sure you got there okay. I’m riding with you.”
I look over at my guard, standing near the door in his black suit. His salt and pepper hair lays perfectly combed on top of his head while he stares forward. He looks like the British soldiers that stand in front of the castle for hours on end and don’t laugh when people jump in front of them. I’m tempted to wave my hand in front of his face, but I refrain.
I lean in close to Aiden, and whisper, “Does he have to come?” I gesture my thumb over to the giant statue.
He smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Even if everything didn’t happen, I can’t allow you to leave the house looking like this.” His eyes leisurely take in my body. “Without some form of protection.”
I laugh. “Right.” I kiss him. “But can he follow while you drive us? I don’t want my new boss to think I’m some spoiled girl who has a driver.”
He gives me an amused look. “You’re not some spoiled girl who has a driver.” A smirk crosses his face. “You’re my spoiled girl who has a driver.”
I swat his arm. “Seriously. I don’t want them to judge me.”
He leans against the counter. “Why do you give a fuck what your boss thinks? I should be your boss.”
I see the shimmer in his eyes and have to refrain from melting. “Be nice.”
He scoffs, stepping towards me. “I shouldn’t even allow another man to tell you what to do.”
Mint and smoke invade my senses, making me dizzy. I look to the side and take a deep breath. “The application says the owner and chef is Avery. She’s a girl.” I retort, giving him a confident look.
His body relaxes and he nods. “I’ll drive you.”
My guard follows close as we walk outside. I roll my eyes “Why don’t you have a guard?” I look pointedly between us and my guard.
Aiden shrugs. “Don’t need one.” He pulls back his black suit jacket slightly to reveal a pistol strapped to his waist.
I swat his arm and hurriedly close his jacket; afraid someone will see. “Aiden!” I shake my head. “You know, you could just do business properly and we wouldn’t need all this.” I gesture to where his pistol sits.
He kisses my forehead. “I’m trying, baby girl.”
∞∞∞
I take in the modern detail of Aiden’s Mercedes along with the middle seat that I can’t slide into and sigh. Aiden looks at me with a raised brow, but I shake my head.
Knowingly, he tilts his head and smiles. “You prefer the Challenger?”
I smile and agree.
He nods his approval, pushing a button on the dash, the sleek car quietly comes to life and we take off down the road.
I point out the directions as my guard follows in a black SUV. I’m beginning to feel guilty for complaining about having a bodyguard, but this is all so weird to me.
“I’m sorry I may be working over here and your detail has to come with me everywhere.” I frown.
He slides a warm hand on my thigh, his eyes still on the road. “No, I’m happy. I want you to live your life however you see fit. You won’t even notice he’s there.”
Aiden parks out front and opens the door for me. I climb out with his help and he plants a kiss on my cheek.
“Do you need me to come inside?”
I laugh. “Absolutely not. Get to work. I’ll ride back with British soldier guy whenever the interview’s over.”