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“That everything will feel like a bad memory,” Libby finished, and Evie blew out a breath.
“Their house is across the street. It’s the only place they ever lived together, and I don’t know if staying there will be what she needs or be too painful. They could stay here, of course, but Finn died in the dining room and…” Evie’s eyes drifted over Viv’s shoulder.
“And it's hard.”
Evie wrapped her arms around herself. “Yeah. It’s hard.”
“I suspect Cait will know what she needs. Just let her tell you.”
Shoving her hair off her face, Evie sighed. “Not being able to plan everything twenty steps ahead isn’t really my strong suit. But I’ll try. Are you settling in okay? Need anything?”
“I either need some extra storage for my shoes or to purge some of my collection. I didn’t realize I had so many high heels. But other than that, I don’t think I need anything. Except maybe an update on the creep who left those pictures.”
“Brogan told me about that,” Libby said, rising to carry her plate to the sink. “He tried multiple cameras and angles inside the hotel, and there was no obvious culprit on any of the footage he could find.”
“They blend in,” Evie said. “I don’t like it.”
“I’m not a huge fan myself. No one has said it yet, but this is probably going to keep me in bodyguards for the rest of my life.”
The look Evie sent her was full of sympathy. “Aidan was pushing for it pretty hard with Declan this morning. He’s also convinced he knows who it is.”
“Collin,” Viv said with a nod.
“Your ex, Collin?”
“The one and only.”
Libby snorted. “Too bad Leo didn’t get to break his nose again at the engagement party. Fucker deserves all that and more.”
“Aidan is out for blood. I guess he’s partial to you not dying.”
“Mmm.” Viv decided to ignore the curious look in Evie’s eyes. “Me too.”
“They’re meeting with your father in the next few days to figure out just how bloody Aidan is allowed to get.”
“I suspect he won’t like the answer,” Viv mumbled.
ChapterTwenty
Aidan hefted another crate onto the stack meant for a buyer, his breath coming out in white puffs. He’d pushed himself at a punishing pace the last few days. Loading and unloading product, closing a few more deals, getting his new inventory system up and running.
He’d spent less time at home than he probably should have, but at this point, he considered it a bonus if only because he often found himself wanting to be at home. And that wouldn’t do.
He could handle being naked with Viv, listening to her breathy moans and needy sighs as she moved under him. He liked to be the spark that set her aflame. It was everything in the light of day that was a mystery to him. So he’d made a habit of rising early and staying out late, and Declan was starting to notice.
He hadn’t said anything yet, but Aidan sensed the heavy weight of Declan’s disapproving stare when he dashed into the dining room for something he could eat in the car and a cup of coffee. The man should be happy. Aidan was doing exactly what had been asked of him every night. Gladly. Playing house had never been part of the deal. Strictly speaking.
Besides, all this extra time on his hands gave him plenty of ways to imagine killing Collin Milano. He had quite the inventive list going. His favorites involved a lot of pain. The bastard had all of it coming and more for ever hitting Viv in the first place, let alone scaring her by being a creepy asshole. Milano would get every bit of what he deserved just as soon as Declan let Aidan off the leash.
The chime of his cell phone dragged him out of his thoughts, and he set the last crate into place before digging it out. Declan.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at the 25th Street warehouse. Just finishing up sorting some inventory for the next few buyers. Why?”
“Almost done?”
