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CHAPTER15
Ryan
Ifeel Aurelia’s fingers dig into my biceps as we both stare at Elena. Caught in the act…
This is not how I wanted the Frasers to find out about me and Lia. I wanted time to explain how I feel. I wanted to assure her brothers I will take care of her, always. Even if it means putting my own life on the line. I love her. There is nothing I will not do to keep her safe. Elena’s eyes widen as she takes us in. I have no idea what is going through her mind. Does she think I took advantage? I am a lot older than Aurelia. It would be a logical conclusion to draw, even though it’s not true.
“Elena…” Aurelia breathes her name, so much panic in that one sound.
“You two are...” Elena’s eyes squeeze shut. “Kane is going to hit the roof.”
“I love her,” I say.
Elena opens her eyes and takes me in. There’s no judgment there, just concern. She’s right to be worried. She knows her husband better than anyone. “They will kill you for touching her.”
She’s not telling me anything I haven’t thought about myself. I knew the dangers when I first kissed her. I knew the dangers when I took her into my bed. I knew the dangers when I professed my love for her. None of that mattered. All I cared about was Aurelia and the way she makes me feel.
“They won’t touch him,” Aurelia snarls. “They wanted me to have my life back, and this choice is mine. I choose Ryan.”
Elena scrubs a hand over her cheek. There is so much tension in her, fear too. “Your brother isn’t going to see this as a choice, Aurelia. Malone was sent to protect you. He was trusted to do that. You think they are going to be happy that you fell into bed with him? How long has this been going on?”
“We don’t owe anyone an explanation about our relationship.” The coldness in Aurelia’s voice is something I have never heard before. It makes me turn to her. I don’t like seeing her channel her inner Charlotte. Her mother is a cunt and not one who should be emulated.
“I didn’t take this job with the intention of falling in love,” I say. “I love Aurelia, and I will fight for us to continue our relationship.”
“You know I can’t keep this from Kane. I’ve kept secrets before in our relationship and it didn’t end well. I won’t do that again.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to,” Aurelia says.
“So what do you propose we do here?” Elena asks. “March out into the garden and tell your brothers you’re fucking your bodyguard?”
I wince at her words. She makes it sound sordid when it’s not. “Don’t say it like that.”
Elena stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. Touching the sister of the Fraser brothers was probably not a sensible idea. But the heart wants what the heart wants. My heart wants her. “How do you think they are going to see it?”
Aurelia moves from behind me and grabs her underwear from the floor. “I’m either free, Elena, or I’m not. I’m either allowed to make my own choices, or I’m not. I’m not this naïve little girl. I know what I want and who I want. I have a connection with Ryan I can’t explain. He makes me feel… Everything.”
Her words hit me square in the chest. I had no idea she felt this way. I know she loves me, she told me that, but hearing her say I make her feel everything makes me feel like the luckiest bastard on the planet.
Aurelia has barely got her underwear in place when I hear Kane’s voice calling for Elena. She stiffens and winces, knowing the storm is about to make landfall. “In here,” Elena calls out, closing her eyes as if she’s mentally praying.
Aurelia slips her hand into mine as Kane steps into the room. Considering everything I know about this man, terror should be flooding my veins, but I feel nothing. Whatever happens here today, I won’t deny my feelings for Aurelia, and I won’t let these men take me down easily either.
Kane steps into the room, his eyes roving over his wife. Once he’s sure she’s okay, he takes in the rest of the room, including me and his sister. I know the exact moment his eyes home in on our joined hands because his face morphs into one of rage.
“Why in the fuck do you have your dirty paws on my sister?”
No one moves. The air feels charged with electricity and tension. I glance down at the woman at my side, the woman I love with my entire heart. She peers up at me, her eyes filled with terror. It’s a look I promised myself I would never allow her to have on her face ever again.
I turn back to Kane. “I love her.”
Kane tilts his head slightly, a gesture that shouldn’t be dangerous but reminds me of a wild animal preparing to strike. He takes a step towards me, and Elena quickly places a hand on his chest. It’s enough to stop him in his tracks, fear of hurting his wife making his eyes come to her. “Move.”
Elena shakes her head. “Don’t do this.”
Kane grits his teeth before he moves his wife aside. He’s not rough, but he’s not entirely gentle about it either.
Kane steps towards me, as if he’s thinking about wringing my neck. Aurelia stands between us. I try to tug her back, but she digs her feet in. “You hurt him, and I will disappear. You will never see me again.”
