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“Gualtiero, that’s insane. That could turn into a full-blown war. We need to form alliances and secure our position that way. Get Emiliano to reach out to the other consigliere.”
“You don’t understand, Mateo. I cannot have Ella out there unprotected. If something happens to her…”
“Tiero. I’m sure she’s fine. She’s avoided capture for weeks now. She’s not as naive and vulnerable as you think. She’s proven that over and over again. Stop seeing her that way.”
Easy for him to say.
“What if she is pregnant? With her on the run, she can’t look after herself the way she needs to.”
“She might not be pregnant. We’ll find out soon enough. And even if she is, Ella would never do anything to endanger the baby.”
I know that. Ella would love our baby from the moment she found out. She would be an overprotective mama bear. The image makes me smile.
I need her back. I want our baby. I want a family with her.
But I can’t shake this feeling of foreboding. Something or someone is looming in the shadows. But who?
Whoever it is, they’re dead if they dare touch her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ella
Thenextfewdaysfly by in a blur of activity.
If I thought I would have a nice quiet Sunday after the twin’s party, I was mistaken. By the time I got up late morning, I was over my tiff with Rhia. Sleep really does wonders for one’s mood.
I rang her to apologize, and she promised not to be pushy anymore. Let’s see how long her resolve lasts. This is Rhia we’re talking about!
When I was finally unpacking my suitcase, Miranda and Marni turned up on my doorstep, declaring they were going to take me shopping for work clothes.
Argh!
They didn’t believe me when I told them I hated shopping. When I reminded them I’ve had no paycheck yet, we ended up staying in, getting takeaway for lunch.
Naturally, they were rather inquisitive as to what happened with Aiden when we disappeared at the party, and I had to listen to them singing his praises.
Yeah, yeah, I get it; the man is a saint.
Said man appeared on my doorstep a few hours later. He had been working to make up for the time he missed on Friday and thought I’d like to go out for dinner with him.
Umm, no!
Steeling my resolve to not get involved with anyone, I declined. But the girls were still there and eager to play matchmakers. In the end, I somewhat relented, and we all had takeaway dinner in my living room, playing a round of Trivial Pursuit afterward. Needless to say, Mr. I-love-random-facts aced in that game.
Since I arrived in Atlanta, I’ve not cooked one meal. Food always seems to magically appear before me. A girl could get used to that, but she better not.
Aiden didn’t have another impromptu sleepover. I made sure he left with the girls, but I think he just went a couple of floors down and crashed in an employee bedroom.
Fuck, I wish he wasn’t so easy and fun to be with. My resolve is threatening to crumble before my eyes. It certainly hasn’t helped seeing Aiden every single day. It’s like my heart is magnetized to him, picking up his frequency the moment he enters.
He was there on Monday to explain my training schedule to me. Apparently, as of next week, I’ll be spending time daily on a shooting range; I can’t say I’m thrilled. I agree that with mobsters on my tail, shooting is something I ought to know how to do, but the idea of a gun in my hands and shooting at anyone or anything gives me the creeps.
On Tuesday, Aiden personally taught me Freemont’s codes and protocols. I’m sure somebody else normally does that for him. Surely, this is too menial a task for the boss of the department.
But alas, there I was sitting next to him in the conference room, being bombarded by his charm, his irresistible scent, and that damn twinkle in his eyes. Did I learn anything that day? Can’t say I did. I was too busy clenching my legs together beneath the table and taking long, steadying breaths to slow my racing heart and calm the butterflies in my stomach. By the end of the day, I was exhausted from fighting my emotions and fled as soon as I could.
Which brings us to today. Wednesday… It’s been exactly one week since Aiden picked me up in that resort in Halifax, and this whole adventure with him began. Where will it ultimately lead me? Am I strong enough to withstand the force field that is Aiden Lennard Burg?
