An hour passed before a knock came from my door and I jumped, scrambling to close my computer.
“Yes?” I asked, grinning as Harper cracked the door and stuck her head in.
“Is everyone dressed? Is anyone naked?” she asked, eyes squeezed closed.
“Harper, I’m alone.”
“Oh,” she said, cracking open one eye. “Is Aiden in the closet?”
“I assume he’s in the garage or in his room.”
“Oh,” she said again, walking in as her shoulders drooped. “I thought you two were hiding in here all day.”
“Nope, just me alone with my computer.”
She shook her head, pursing her lips. “I told that man to go for it one hundred percent. Is this really what he considers his best work?”
“Excuse me? What exactly is he going one hundred percent on?”
“Getting you locked down.”
My mouth dropped open as I searched her face, hoping for more of an answer, but she didn’t give anything away.
“What? He made it pretty clear he was trying to get you and keep you, but the plan doesn’t seem like it’s going as well as he hoped.”
“What was the plan?”
“Act like you until he gets you obsessed,” she said, stifling a laugh. “I thought it was genius. Who wouldn’t fall for a man acting insane because he’s so obsessed with you?”
“Wait,” I said, crossing my arms, not dwelling on the fact I was begging the universe for obsession from a man. “Is that why he’s been sneaking into my room and trying to drive me insane?”
She burst out laughing, doubling over.
“I love you two. One of the most demented couples I know.I’mobsessed, but then again, I’ve been obsessed with you since I met you, so I really don’t blame Aiden.”
Regan called from down the hall, yelling for us to hurry. Harper grinned.
“The guys are bringing someone into the garage. He is supposedly a good lead to whatever this Order is. You ready?”
We stepped into the kitchen, and my breath caught before I could stop it. Aiden leaned against the counters, scrolling through his phone, his fingers idly tapping against the screen. He looked effortlessly unbothered, his broad shoulders relaxed, one boot crossed over the other. The soft kitchen lighting cast shadows over his sharp features, the kind that made my stomach tighten unfairly. He wasn’t even doing anything, just existing in that way that was inherently, infuriatinglyhim—a little too arrogant, a little too untouchable.
But damn, I really wanted to touch him.
“I’m told I need to drive you three over to the garage,” he said, grinning as he looked me over.
“Wow, bodyguard and chauffeur today?” I said, not daring to look at Harper as I made the same type of jab I always would. “What other tricks do you do?”
He grinned, looking down at his boots as his face darkened. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Heat flushed over me, every inch of me remembering exactly what type of tricks he did.
“All right you two,” Regan said. “Let’s get to the garage before you tear each other apart.”
Harper’s lips pursed as she stifled a laugh and I smacked her arm.
“Let’s go,” I said. “Now.”
A man was duct-taped to a chair in the middle of the garage, and everyone was gathered like it was some kind of grim little movie night. Mason leaned against the workbench, flicking a knife open and shut, complaining about how hot the garage was today. Harper sat on the hood of Regan’s car, scrolling her phone in what looked like boredom—she wasn’t exactly into these things but never wanted to miss what was happening.
