Page 22 of Into The Light

“Question.” Aiden and Mark both turned to me as I walked over to the overstuffed chair and sat back down. “When I got divorced, I ended up with the apartment... and the mortgage. It may be a crappy apartment, but they aren’t going to leave it sit unpaid for five years without the bank taking it back.”

“Yes. You’re right. How much do you owe?” Aiden asked, his chin resting on his hand while his elbow perched on the side of the couch.

“Thirteen hundred a month.” I winced at the large amount of money. At least large for me. Our rent in Milwaukee before we’d purchased in Chicago had been only seven hundred a month. With a pounding heart, I hoped we could find a way for me to work off my mortgage somehow. Shirking my responsibilities and debts didn’t sit right with me.

“No. How much do you owe total?”

“Total?” I hated even thinking of it. Jeff had insisted the apartment was a good investment. An up-and-coming neighborhood in Chicago. Buy low, sell high. And after he’d left me, I’d been thrilled to get it in the divorce settlement. I’d sell it myself and at least recoup some of the money I’d invested over the years. Then Mr. Bradley had to go and shoot his wife. Asshole. “Just over two hundred thousand.” The number still made me cringe.

My credit card debt! I almost forgot about that little parting gift from Jeff.

“I also have thirty-five thousand in credit card debt I need to keep paying on thanks to my dead-beat ex. He ran up seventy-thousand dollars without my knowing it, and thanks to the lovely state law about division of marital debt, I got to keep half of it.” I rolled my eyes. “Those collectors would find me even if you take me to Antarctica.”

“Mark?” Aiden said, his eyes still fixated on mine. “Pay off her bills and take care of her mortgage tomorrow. Make sure it’s all tidied up and in her name. Hire someone to check on her place twice a month and keep it cleaned.”

“On it!” He practically sang back.

“You’re shitting me.” I nearly spit out my champagne as I choked out the words. “My mortgage? You’re paying my mortgage? All of it? Right now? And my credit card debt?”

Aiden’s mouth pulled into something resembling a smile. With one slow nod he confirmed it. He was buying me my apartment.

“I don’t... what? Really? Why?” Complete sentences hovered just out of reach of my brain.

“Consider it a signing bonus,” Mark said with a smile.

My eyes remained locked with Aiden’s. There was a warmth about him now... and not just because he just bought me an apartment. He regarded me with a look that no longer made me feel like dinner. He seemed pleased to see my excitement. It surprised me.

My head suddenly felt swirly. It might have been the champagne. Or the shock of the apartment and my new lack of credit card debt. Maybe the blood loss. Probably a combination of all three.

“Are you all right?” Aiden sat forward, then shot a concerned look to Mark.

Mark jumped to his feet and reached my side in a matter of seconds.

“I’m fine,” I said, pressing my head between my fingers. “I’m just a bit woozy.”

“You’ve had a lot of excitement tonight.” Mark rubbed my back.

“I think I just need to lie down.”

“Good idea. Just get some rest,” Aiden said, concern threaded through his words.

With a nod, I pushed myself out of the chair and onto my feet. “Goodnight, guys.” I turned to Aiden. “And thank you. Really. You have no idea what this means to—”

My knees buckled and my ears rang. I collapsed toward the floor as my legs gave out. I didn’t even see Aiden move across the room, I only felt his arms wrap around me, stopping my impending collision with the floor. He lifted me up against his chest and my head settled on his shoulder as I blinked at him through black, speckled vision.

“Emilia,” he breathed. “Are you all right?”

My vision came back into focus. He stared at me, worry seeped out from the depths of his cold, hardened eyes, threatening to break through like a storm brewing on the horizon. Emotions swirled just below the surface, his eyes fighting to keep them there hidden beneath the thick layer of ice that had held them down so deep. The ice cracked now, and I could see him in there. I could feel him emerging from the depths of the frozen water. I could feel him gasping for breath and scraping for freedom. I swear I could see into the depths of his soul.

“I’m fine,” I whispered, my voice still quaking, though I didn’t know if it was from the dizzy spell or the emotions flashing through his eyes. They penetrated me.

“Mark,” he barked. “Get her orange juice, water and food. Now.”

Mark jumped and hurried out of the room.

“I think it’s time you laid down.”

A nod was my only response. He started with me to the stairs, the muscles in his arms unflinching beneath my weight. He made me feel small, fragile. Even, dare I say, safe? Safe in the arms of a vampire... that had to be an oxymoron.