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“How long have you been here?”
“Since two-ish-ish.” He chuckles to himself like that’s the funniest thing he’s ever said.
I exhale, lifting him from his seat. “C’mon, let’s get you home.”
He smells of whisky and pretzels, a sour combination. I walk arm in arm with my man as he stumbles out of the bar where Mike’s waiting, as always, with his vehicle.
He jumps out and steps over to us. “Here, let me help you,” Mike offers, holding Aiden upright while I open the back door.
“Thanks, Mike.”
“Anytime, Miss Taylor. Is he all right?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so, Mike.” I can’t help the concern that washes over me.
We head back to Aiden’s apartment as Aiden falls in and out of consciousness mumbling about his arrogant ass of a father. I gather from his rambling, they’ve had some sort of argument.
We pull up in the parking garage, and Mike comes around to help me with Aiden. Mike opens the door and pulls Aiden out, holding him up, while I shut the door. We make it to the elevator and up to the living room.
“Where shall I put him, Miss Taylor?”
I think for a second. “Probably on his bed,” I instruct as I walk with Mike into Aiden’s room. He lays Aiden on the bed while my stomach swirls with uncertainty.
“Do you know what this is about, Mike?” I ask, wanting a straight answer.
He exhales. “I do. Aiden and Mr. O’Connell had an argument about the embezzlement. I’ve never seen them argue like that before. Apparently, the detectives are narrowing in, and it’s probably an executive. They’re currently looking at Mr. O’Connell, Aiden, Matthew, and their PAs as the main suspects.”
My subconscious strikes me a blow again.
Is he drunk because he’s worried about his family business?
Or is he worried they will find out that it’s Aiden’s involved somehow?
Is it him?
No, it can’t be.
He wouldn’t do that to his family. Would he?
Mike senses my rising concerns. “Miss Taylor, I hope you don’t mind me saying, but he needs you. Things are going to get a lot harder for Aiden in the next few weeks and months. He’ll need your full support.”
I peer at Mike and nod. “I understand.” Aiden rolls over on the bed making himself comfortable. “Thanks, Mike.”
“Can I help you with anything else, Miss Taylor?” Mike asks as I begin to untie Aiden’s shoelaces.
“No, Mike. Thanks for your help.”
He weakly smiles and leaves me with my man, who seems to be falling apart at the seams.
“Oh, Aiden,” I whisper as I pull off his shoes.
I try to undress him as best I can, but he’s too heavy for me to move him under the covers, so I search for a spare blanket to place over him.
I make my way to the kitchen and fill a glass of water and raid the cupboards for painkillers. Once I find them, I take the water and tablets to Aiden’s room and put them on his side table. I pull out my phone and place it on the nightstand.
Once undressed, I slide in next to Aiden and hoist the blanket up.
Staring at the ceiling for hours, I’m going through conflicting thoughts as I wonder if I really know Aiden at all until I eventually fall asleep.
