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I see the indecision playing out on his face. To trust or not to trust, that’s his immediate question.
Finally, he nods, and signals the driver to fold up the two seats in the back.
Santino, Tiero’s ever loyal shadow, takes the passenger seat. Aiden reluctantly sits in one of the back seats while Rhia slides in on my right.
I carefully shuffle into the middle to make room for Tiero. When the door is closed behind him, he angles my body so I’m leaning against him. He folds my jacket and places it beneath the sling holding up my arm to take the strain off my neck. Then he wraps a protective arm over my shoulder and nestles my head beneath his chin.
“How are you holding up, princess?” he asks softly against my ear.
Letting out a long breath, I cradle my stomach, praying that all is fine with our baby.
“Alright,” I whisper back.
Tiero places his hand on top of mine, the warmth from his touch soothing me more than I expected.
We’re in this together…. whatever happens, he’s here with me, and we’re facing this together.
I close my eyes and let the predictable hum of the car engine soothe my nerves.
When I open them again, Rhia’s stare is on me and Tiero, a small smile playing on her lips.
It’s the first time that Rhia has seen me and Tiero as a couple, and by the looks of it, she approves. She might not like him very much anymore, but she’s happy with the way he cares for me.
I gaze out the window, trying to determine where we are. We mustn’t have driven far yet, because everything seems somewhat familiar.
What draws my attention, though, is the lone woman walking by the side of the road.
“Is that Claudette?” Aiden asks, voicing the same question that just went through my head.
“Stop the car,” I shout, sitting up.
Tiero motions to the driver, and the car comes to a halt. Aiden opens the door and jumps out.
I watch as the two of them embrace.
Yep, that’s Claudette.
What is she doing off the mountain?
Chapter Forty-One
Aiden
“Whatareyoudoinghere, Claudette?” I ask as she steps closer to hug me. She’s the last person I expected to see today.
“I was worried about you.”
That shocks me. “Me? Did you not get the pigeon message?”
“We did. And when I went to bed, I thought you and Ella were finally getting on with it.”
She lets go of me and takes a step back to look me over. I can’t hide how crushed I feel, nor do I want to.
Yesterday morning the world looked bright. It exploded with possibilities. Then everything came tumbling down.
“I had this dream last night,” she continues. “A black swan lay injured by the lake. And I knew you needed me.”
I’m confused. She had the dream last night? But Ella only ended things this morning. Did she foresee my heartbreak? Or was that the moment Ella decided to give that criminal another chance? Does it even matter?
