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But if only he’d known where he was wandering to.
“I was almost six months along before I realized I was pregnant. He’d been out of town for almost as long.” Brooke rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands. “Half of me didn’t want to contact him at all. But it didn’t seem right. And maybe there was a part of me that wanted any contact I could get with your family. So I hired a PI.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. It didn’t take the guy long to track your brother down. When he heard I was pregnant he told the investigator I should get rid of it and not to contact him again.” Brooke looked down at her hands. “So I didn’t.”
“Why didn’t you contact me?”
“What would I have said? Hey, I’m crazy in love with you, and guess what? I’m having your brother’s baby!” Brooke grimaced. “I was so ashamed. I never wanted you to know. Every way I looked at it I was screwed. So I decided to have the baby without any support.” She smiled at Aiden, as though she finally felt lighter. “And I’m so glad I did.”
“Jamie never told me. And I can’t believe he never told Mom, either. She would have insisted on seeing you both.”
“I know. I hate that Nick never had the chance to know his other grandmother.” Brooke looked at him with those wide, pretty eyes. “I’m sorry.”
He swallowed hard, ignoring the ache in his chest. “It’s not your fault. None of this is. The more I hear the more I realize you were everybody’s victim. I should have been here to take care of you, and I wasn’t.”
“You were taking care of your mom.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
She turned, her body brushing against his as she scrambled to her knees, cupping his strong jaw between her warm palms. “You told me this wasn’t my fault, well it wasn’t yours either.” Lowering her head, she let her brow rest against his. He could feel her breath soft against his lips. “It’s all in the past,” she whispered. “There’s no point in dwelling on it. I have Nick and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Her voice dipped. “I also have you, and I’m so happy about that.” She brushed her lips against his, and he felt a jolt of pleasure rush through him. “So let’s stop talking about the past and start concentrating on the present.”
He curled his arms around her back. “That sounds good to me.”
* * *
It was almost midnight by the time he’d left Brooke’s apartment. The town lay silent, the only noise he could hear was the gentle crashing of waves a few blocks to the west. He was still smiling from the memory of the evening – the way they’d kissed like crazy after she’d opened up to him. No more secrets, no more lies. Just the two of them laid bare.
Walking across the blacktop parking lot, he scrolled through the messages he’d missed for the past few hours. It wasn’t like him not to check his emails and texts incessantly. Maybe it was like him now, though. He felt like a different man. Taller, stronger, more complete.
He deleted the usual marketing messages, taking note of a couple of work emails he’d need to tackle in the morning. That’s when he saw the email from the Private Investigator his lawyer had retained. The man tasked with making Jamie an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Thank God he’d agreed to pay Jamie off. The thought of him seeking Aiden out and finding Brooke and Nick was enough to send an ice-cold shiver down his spine. A wave of protectiveness washed over him as he glanced back at her apartment building. He wouldn’t let anything happen to them. He couldn’t. They were too important to him.
He used his thumb to scroll down to read the message. He’d reached his car and leaned on the driver’s side, his eyes trained on the email.
Dear Mr. Black,
Your brother was released from prison earlier today. I met him at the gates, and discovered he doesn’t currently have a registered home, though he has been supplied a list of local shelters with spaces for him. I explained who I was, and offered to drive him to a local motel and pay for a night’s accommodation, which he agreed to. He also agreed that I could pick him up tomorrow morning in order to buy him breakfast, and take him shopping for some clothes.
He is aware that I am acting on your behalf, and that you will be funding the accommodation and any clothing purchases. I also explained that you would like to set him up for the longer term, and we will discuss it over breakfast tomorrow. He did ask about you a number of times, and I explained you were out of state on business.
I will send a further email to you tomorrow outlining the results of our discussion. Your brother seems likely to accept whatever help we can offer.
Yours,
Richard Neville
Private Investigator
Aiden slid the phone into his pocket and climbed into his car, half his mind on the email, the other half on Brooke. The fear of his brother contacting Brooke or Nick waned, enough to let him relax back into the driver’s seat as he turned on the engine. It came to life with a reassuring growl, cutting through the night air. Allowing himself one last glance at Brooke’s place, he put his foot on the gas and accelerated out of the parking lot.
After all these years, it felt as though everything was finally slotting into place; and it felt pretty damn good to him.
* * *
“I’m sorry. I know I’m late. But I brought you all coffee.” Ally breezed her way into the Heavenly Hair Salon carrying a cardboard tray filled with insulated coffee cups. She handed one each to Brooke and Ember – who were already in their seats, staring at the mirrors in front of them – and passed the rest to the stylists who were hovering around them.
