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“Oh shit. I’m sorry, El. I keep forgetting about these stupid time-zones.”
“Don’t be. I was wide awake anyway.”
“Why? What’s keeping you up?”
I sigh. “Let me guess,” Rhia says before I can answer her question. I can hear the smile in her voice. “Could it be one hot ex-soldier? What were you thinking about?”
“Nature versus nurture.”
“Hmm. That’s a bit deep for so early in the morning.”
“Do you think Tiero would be different if his mother was still alive?”
“Oh gosh, that’s a tough question. Yes, he would be different, but I’m not sure to what extent. Would she have shown him what a good relationship looks like? You have no idea what his parents’ marriage was like. If I had to guess, I’d say Tiero’s father expected an obedient wife. In which case, this would have been Tiero’s expectation for you. Oh, wait. Itwashis expectation.”
That makes me chuckle. But Rhia is right.
Tiero has no clue about relationships. In his world women are expected to fall into line, the man being the decision maker of the family. How archaic.
“How was the party tonight?” Rhia changes the subject.
“It was great. Just what I needed… that’s until I asked Aiden about his tattoo.”
“Why? What about his tattoo?”
“He told me how it came about and now I like him even more than before. I nearly kissed him… twice!” Just the memory of those moments gets me hot under the collar again. “How am I going to stay away from him, Rhi?”
“Why would you want to? That’s what I want to know.”
That comment is just so typically Rhia—I miss her. “Because it can only lead to disaster. You know as well as I do it’s only a matter of time before Tiero finds me.”
“No!” Rhia interrupts firmly. “Tiero is not going to find you. You are protected by powerful men. You can build a new life in Atlanta without the worry.” I let out a frustrated sigh. If only it were that easy.
“I asked Lex about Aiden,” Rhia continues. “He really likes him. Said he’s a great guy, and he’d be happy for you to end up with him.”
Great, another Aiden advocate. As if I needed any more.
“Sweets, I have no intentions of starting anything new with anyone. Yes, Aiden is a great guy. I’d even say he’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. Which is why it is even more important that I don’t put his life in danger. Tiero would kill him if we ever got together.”
“You cannot let Tiero rule your life, El. He is in your past, and he will remain there. You deserve a happy future.”
A humorless laugh escapes me. And here I always believed I was the naive one. “Rhi, I love your optimism—”
Rhia cuts me off, making me throw up my hands in frustration.“Even if Tiero turned up, who would be better prepared to deal with him than an ex-special forces soldier? One who has plenty of support.”
“True,” I concede. “But what right do I have to bring this drama into his life? He doesn’t deserve that.” He’s had enough to deal with in recent years. I don’t want to add to it.
“I don’t think you should make that decision for him. He—”
“Rhia, please. Stop. I know you mean well, but I only just arrived here. I’m trying to build a new life and don’t need any distractions, especially one that could derail everything.”
“But—”
My body tenses. “No! Drop it. I’m going to sleep now. I’ll speak to you later.” With that, I hang up.
I’m grinding my teeth. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve hung up on Rhia, but enough is enough. I know what I’m doing. I think…
Chapter Twenty-One
