Page 100

“Existing.”

31

MY ANSWER IS STILL NO

A Week Later

As I am finishing the last touches on my make-up, Aiden walks into the bathroom and positions himself behind me.

He kisses my neck, then looks at me in the mirror. “By the time you finish, they’ll have started and finished the meeting without us.”

I give him a look. “They invited me to the meeting. I doubt it.”

“Are you sure it’s okay if I come? I don’t know if the directors intended for me to be there,” he murmurs.

“I’m anxious and you keep me calm. Plus, you have to come, or I might say something stupid,” I insist. I really do mean that too. I don’t want to mess this up. I know my father will be there, but I want Aiden there, too.

He chuckles. “You already know what they might ask you. Just retort with your counterclaim. We both know how you like to push for alternative options.” I elbow him gently in his stomach.

I finish my make-up by applying my lipstick. Aiden—knowing that is the last step in my routine—turns me around to face him, placing a hand on either side of me on the counter.

He gazes into my eyes, pride emanating from his own. “Baby, you are Joyce Ann Parker. You not only protected me, but you protected Eden, almost getting your soul obliterated in the process. You’ve earned what you are asking for. Do not accept less.” I lean up and press my lips against his. Before we can deepen our kiss, my phone rings in my pocket. I lean slightly away from Aiden and take it out. I roll my eyes at the name that pops up on the screen.

“Hello, father,” I say drily when I answer the call and place it on speaker. I wasn’t surprised to find out that he had served in the military during his life. He has a thing about being early.

“You’re late,” he states. Aiden quietly chuckles as he plays with my hair.

“We still have five minutes,” I inform him.

“On time is late.”

“We are on our way, Commander Jackson,” I reply sarcastically.

“Roger that. I’ll see you when you get here,” he says, then clicks off.

I lean up and peck Aiden on the lips. “Let’s be on our way. Apparently, we are awfully late.”

He raises a brow. “I told you. I know your father pretty well. On time is late and—"

I wave him off. “Yeah, yeah. You’re the perfect son-in-law. I get it. Let’s go.”

“Do you want to practice teleporting?”

“We don’t have time today. We might end up in Mexico again.”

“I told you. You have to think of the place you want to go to. You can’t let other thoughts distract you.” All I do is let other thoughts distract me.

I wave dismissively. “We will resume lessons later.” I grab his hand then pull him into the bedroom and grab my purse from the bed. “I’m ready.” He nods then teleports us in front of the director’s conference room. In contrast to the last time we were in here, we calmly walk into the room. We greet everyone as we pass them on the way to our seats.

Once we have taken our seats, my father speaks. “Now that we are all here, let us begin.”

Originally, Director Young led the meetings. But due to her imprisonment in Hell, my father took over the role. Everyone respects him, so naturally, they looked to him to lead.

“All of the directors met, and we came up with an offer for you Joyce,” my father says with a wide smile, excitement glowing in his eyes.

I look at all the directors, then back to my dad and laugh. “Last time someone presented an offer to me, I ended up in Hell.” I pointedly look at Aiden.

Aiden sighs. “You really got to let that go. I’ve apologized a million times. How long are you going to hold it against me?”