Page 55 of Into The Light

Aiden’s smirk pulled into a full-blown grin. Even though his fangs were safely tucked away, the deviousness of his smile may as well have had them out in full display. He looked positively scheming.

“Wow,” I started, unsure of what to say next. Tonight had been pure magic and he’d catered to every single desire I never knew I had. But why he thought I would want to see my ex-husband living out his dreams, actually our dreams, eluded me. Jeff’s presence, playing amongst the country’s top bands, made me sick to my stomach. He had achieved his dreams using me as the steppingstone he squashed on his way to the top. Seeing him standing on a stage singing for tens of thousands of people made me want to vomit. “I... I don’t know what to say.”

“When Mark discovered the line up here tonight, I knew exactly what I wanted to give you for your birthday.”

I nodded, still not sure how to tell him I didn’t want to go inside. I didn’t want to see the success of the man who had betrayed me and used me. The man who’d achieved that success because of my funding and my support, and yet he had tossed me aside the moment he’d made his break. Even seeing his band’s name in lights made me want to poke my own eyes out.

“Follow me and I’ll get us in backstage.”

“Aiden.” I sighed. “Tonight has been incredible. Amazing. Perfect. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I can’t go in there and watch that piece of shit live out his greatest dream. I especially don’t want to go backstage and risk running into him. Never seeing him again would be a better birthday present.”

Much to my surprise, Aiden’s smile grew. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Emilia. I wasn’t clear enough with my intentions here.” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “I have no desire to see that... asshole, succeed either. Tonight we are here to get you some much needed revenge. Tonight you and I will end the ill-conceived career of the man who betrayed you.”

“What?” I stammered, still spinning from the twist in my evening.

“It all ends tonight,” Aiden said, a malicious glint bubbled to the top from the depths in his eyes.

“You’re going to kill him?” I struggled to keep my voice down while I felt the ground move beneath my feet. A healthy thirst for retribution was one thing, but killing him? I didn’t think I had the stomach for that. No... I knew I didn’t have the stomach for that. “Holy shit, Aiden—”

Tossing back his head, he bellowed out laughter, and the deep, true laugh shook his whole body. I knew he was a vampire, but sweet Jesus, seeing him so nonchalant about murder made me take a step back.

“Aiden, while I appreciate your intentions, we are not murdering anyone tonight,” I said while his laughter continued.

“Oh, Emilia. Again, I was not clear. I’m sorry you thought I was here to rip out your ex-husband’s jugular. I’m not... unless you want me to?” He quirked an eyebrow.

“No!” I shook my head.

“Just checking,” he said with a shrug. “I have plans for him using my other talents that will leave him alive and safe when we’re done. Do you trust me?”

Biting my lip, I nodded my head.

“Good. Then just relax and follow me. I won’t kill him tonight, though he deserves it,” Aiden said, scowling. “Unless you want me to. If you do, just say the word and I’ll part his trachea from his body before you can blink an eye.” He flashed his devious smile.

I chuckled and shook my head again. “Tempting, but no thank you.”

“Let me know if you change your mind.” He winked. “Now, follow me.”

He reached out and took my hand; a spontaneous movement, one normally seen between couples much more intimate with one another. I didn’t even know what we were, yet holding his hand felt natural. The coolness of his touch still startled me, though not at all unpleasant. We both glanced to our entangled fingers. His expression reflected my same shock at the involuntary touch, almost as if his hand had reached out for mine before he’d even realized it. I could see the uncertainty in his eyes, so I squeezed his hand in return, reassuring him that touching him was fine with me.

More than fine from the way my stomach did cartwheels.

He gave me a smile and tugged me forward toward the back of the building. We walked hand in hand up to the bouncers standing guard at the backstage entrance to the building. Roadies carted cases of instruments in and out from the trucks parked just down the way. Aiden walked up like we belonged there, and I waited for him to present the backstage tickets I assumed he had bought.

“I need to see your passes,” the bouncer said, his arms crossed tight against his massive chest.

“I don’t have any,” Aiden stated.

“Then get the fuck out of here,” the bouncer growled.

Aiden stepped forward and locked eyes with the giant of a man. “You will let us in and then you will forget you saw us.”

The bouncer stood frozen, his face entranced for a moment before he blinked and spoke. “Of course, sir. Enjoy your evening.”

My mouth fell open when Aiden turned to look at me. He waggled his eyebrows and pulled me into the backstage area of Madison Square Garden.

“Unbelievable!” I laughed and trotted to keep up with him. “Why do you even bother paying for anything when you can just do that?”

“I try not to mess with people’s minds when I don’t have to. Don’t get me wrong, I do it when necessary, like tonight because they were sold out, but I have more money than I could spend in a hundred lifetimes. I figure it’s good for the economy that I pay when I have the opportunity.”