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I wasn't sure we would ever find our way to a fairy tale ending. But I was confident in one thing.
I was ready for the next chapter with her.
CHAPTER19
Selena
It was goingto take time to comb through all the files on the phones and computers, and as Xander and I headed downstairs to breakfast, I grudgingly contemplated letting the guys help me. The thought made me uncomfortable.
The chef had made ricotta pancakes with fresh strawberries, and Xander couldn’t hide his smile. “I’m pretty sure Aiden ordered this for you. He’s not really into pancakes.”
“Well. He may be a dangerous mob kingpin, but he’s growing on me,” I said.
The doorbell rang, and Aiden strode through the room. How the hell did he look so impeccable so early in the morning? I was still wearing Xander’s sweatshirt and my hair was up in the messy bun I wore for bed. But Aiden looked crisp in his suit, his thick, dark hair perfectly styled.
“There’s only one person that could be,” Aiden said. “My security only lets one person through.”
He sounded a bit sour about it, as if he had to make allowances even with his own security for Gavin. Then he glanced over at me and said, “Make yourself presentable.”
My lips parted. What an ass.
But I headed for the stairs anyway. Family doesn’t bring out the best in a lot of people, and I did need to be ready for Gavin.
Plus I did look freshly-fucked and dressed in Xander’s shirt. And Aiden was deliciously jealous, which boosted my mood almost as much as the orgasms.
Xander followed me up the stairs.
“Tell me what I should know about Gavin Crude,” I said as I went into the bathroom, rushing to get ready.
Xander leaned in the doorway eating pancakes, since he’d brought his plate with him. Apparently Xander was not worried about making himself presentable.
“I don't doubt he loves his son, but he's kind of an asshole. Besides the business... He took Dominic and I out of shitty situations. Sounds nice right? But it turned out he had jobs for all of us since we were kids. We were like his little army of enforcers no one saw coming. And of course he would take in two kids who were expendable because he wanted to keep his own heirs alive.”
“He had a couple of teenagers working as enforcers?” Maybe I shouldn't have asked, because now, I wanted to slap Gavin Crude into next week. I ran my fingers through my hair. It looked pretty decent thanks to the bun. I hastily began to put on a little makeup.
“We can discuss his sins later.”
I finished applying my lipstick and turned to him. “What if I blow it? What if I don’t convince Gavin I’m madly in love with Aiden? What if he realizes it’s all fake?”
“Well,” Xander considered. “We’ll figure something else out.”
“Something else like what?”
“A bloody coup,” Xander said.
“You’re not making me feel better.”
“Sorry. But you look beautiful.” He rested his hands on my shoulders. “I don’t doubt that you’re smarter than Gavin Crude. Do you really doubt that?”
I considered. “Good point.”
“But Aiden needs you,” Xander said. “Even if he’d never admit it.Ineed you. I love him and Dominic like brothers, and I can’t protect them… not without you.”
Xander was almost always playful, but right now, he looked serious. His dark, intense eyes looked into mine as if he was searching for a promise.
“I will,” I said, and the tension in his body relaxed. As if he trusted me completely, even though Aiden still doubted me. Something about that was touching.
I headed for the door. “Don’t eat all the pancakes while I’m dealing with Gavin. I’m going to need sugar afterward to reset my mood.”
