AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He asked Ike regularly to join his security team, but Ike had his own path. He wondered if his brother had gotten over the other bodyguard, Myra Tueller, or if he was losing his heart again. He hoped his brother could stay strong. He thought of Chalisa. He hoped he could stay strong. Three months ago, he would’ve scoffed at that thought.
The five of them said goodbye to the guards and walked out of the stadium, down the street of the picturesque little town, across the drawbridge, and into the castle courtyard together.
Aiden stared up at the towering castle. It was impressive—four sprawling, towering stories. The granite exterior sparkled in the lowering sun. He liked all the large windows. Most castles he’d toured had small, infrequent windows. This one had clearly been built for beauty and the views of the mountains and ocean, not for defense.
They crossed the courtyard, still talking about different fighting techniques, and up the stairs to the double castle doors. The doors were twelve feet tall and wide open, as if welcoming him in. Aiden stopped participating in the conversation as they entered the massive foyer.
He stared around at the grand staircase, high ceilings, sparkling granite walls and floors, incredible artwork, antique vases, and fresh flower arrangements. He’d traveled the world and been in some beautiful buildings, but this was on level with most. Even the small security cameras blended in with the décor and would be invisible to most visitors.
“It’s impressive, eh?” Wes said.
“It is.”
“Have Chalisa take you on a tour later,” Alaric said. “We need to clean up or our wives will cuss us for being late for dinner.”
“Okay.” Aiden looked forward to a tour with Chalisa. Any time with Chalisa, truly. Would she sit with him at dinner or was she upset at him for fighting Kingston, teasing her, leaving her three months ago … she had a plethora of reasons to be angry with him. Nobody would blame her, least of all him. If she was angry, it would actually be better. It might help him keep some distance, though he hated the thought of Chalisa unhappy.
“General layout,” Alaric said. “Dining room, ballroom, library, kitchens, conference rooms, offices, and other gathering areas on the main level. Family suites on the second level. Guest suites on the third.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh, and because of your show, Julia agreed to share the castle’s camera feeds, so mind your manners and don’t pick your nose,” Stuart teased him.
He didn’t know who Julia was, but Mercedes would be thrilled that the royal family had agreed to be filmed for her show. Smart of Mercedes to access their cameras for extra footage.
The men strode across the entrance hall and up the stairs, saying hello to some people as they went. Aiden had been on a lot of teams. He’d formed his own security team and was still expanding it with men and women he trusted and who had the skill set he required. Walking with these four men up this grand staircase, he felt like he was on their team. Great guys.
At the second level, everyone else peeled off with goodbyes.
“I’ll walk you to your room,” Kingston said.
“Thank you.”
They ascended another staircase to the third floor, this one not quite as grand or long, but still a load of stairs. They headed down a wide hallway. Kingston stopped near the end of the hall and nodded to him.
“I don’t have a key card for you, so you’ll have to knock and hope Chalisa is in there primping.”
“I’m staying with Chalisa?” His heart immediately picked up its beat and his hands got clammy. He was already in danger of revealing how much he cared. Staying in the same room was not a good idea, but it made him irrationally happy.
“It’s a two-bedroom suite.” Kingston’s glower was back. “Don’t get any ideas.”
“I won’t.” Aiden didn’t remind him who’d won the fight an hour and a half ago. It hadn’t been easy, and he liked Kingston as an ally. Sort-of an ally. If Aiden hurt Chalisa, he imagined the entire Magnite army would come after him with Kingston in the lead. Even with his skill set, he’d be in trouble if they all attacked at once.
Aiden turned toward the door, but Kingston wasn’t done.
“I find myself not hating you,” Kingston said, his deep-blue eyes revealing that was actually a compliment. “And I appreciate you working with us.”
“I have the utmost respect for you, General.”
Kingston shook his head. “Don’t schmooze me.”
Aiden laughed at that. “All right. I’ll try not to.”
It was rare for someone not to like Aiden’s silver tongue. He respected Kingston even more.
“And don’t break Chalisa’s heart, or all your impressive skills will be wasted when Alaric, Stuart, Wes, Malik, Samson, and I gang up on you and the pieces of your shattered body never leave this island.”
Aiden wanted to laugh, but Kingston wasn’t joking. “Thank you for the subtle warning.”
