My heart is breaking. Aiden is always so strong and confident and larger than life that it’s easy to forget that he can be vulnerable too. I want to hug him and kiss him and reassure him, but I need to stay strong to get my point across.

“So you know exactly what I’m going through!”

Aiden doesn’t hesitate. “I’d rather be in your life knowing there’s a risk of danger than lose you completely.”

I’ve died and gone to heaven and have been reborn as someone lucky enough to have Aiden Parker look at me the way he is right now.

“Aiden . . .”

“You could’ve left me,” he continues. “You could’ve left me right then and there and no one would’ve blamed you. You know all the death threats I get every single day. You know my father’s still out there, smiling for the cameras. You know he still hates me, and you know he could still hurt you to get to me. Hell, he even sent me a threat on my birthday saying exactly that. But you still stuck around. Not only do you have Tony to worry about, but now Andrew too. And you never even considered leaving because of me.”

“The thought never even crossed my mind,” I confess softly.

“I could tell you to leave to get away from Andrew, but honestly, when do you ever listen to me anyway?”

He chuckles at the last part and a small smile tugs at my lips. He brushes my hair behind my ear and rests his hand on my cheek.

“You’re putting yourself at risk to be here for me. Let me do the same for you. I can’t lose you, Thea.”

It’s the break in his voice that gets to me, almost tears me in two. I kiss him, wishing I was able to scramble over the center console, desperate to be near him, to get closer.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he says against my lips, his grip tightening on my waist. “And nothing is going to happen to you. If you’re really in danger and need to leave, I’ll be the first damn person packing your bags and shipping you off, but Luke can’t do anything from where he is, and Agent Dylan knows about the video. Let’s just slow down. We’ll figure it out. Together.”

I don’t know how, but the conviction in his voice is sure and strong and reassuring. This is Aiden. He can do anything. I nod, words escaping me as my mind is consumed with all things Aiden.

“I love you,” I tell him between kisses, feeling it with all of my soul.

My universe is whole when he whispers against my lips, “I love you, too, Thea.”

16

The sun is setting as Aiden crosses into King City, right as Charlotte calls. I put her on speaker and mute the car’s music so we can both hear her.

“Hey, Char, you’re on speaker. Aiden’s here.”

“Thank God! I’ve been texting but you haven’t answered.” Her voice comes out in a rush. “Where are you? Are you home?”