“Let me walk you to your car,” Aiden says as I’m pulling on my shoes.

“It’s not that far, I’m fine. Talk to the twins, make sure they’re really okay.” They were quiet over dinner then went upstairs to watch television, but they weren’t acting any different than before.

When I straighten from tying my shoes, Aiden’s right there. He tugs me closer to him and rests his forehead against mine. “A lot went on today. Anna was expelled. We found out about the twins, but no matter what happens, we deal with it together.” His voice is low and sweet. “Me and you. All in, remember?”

I can’t take the distance between our lips anymore. My lips press against his. It’s light at first, but then he deepens it, and I follow his lead. It’s brief, but perfect, and still causes my heart to pound in my chest when I pull away.

“I love you,” he says against my lips, and I feel like I’m soaring.

“I love you too,” I reply, untangling myself from him. If I don’t leave now, I’m going to be here all night. I open his door. “Text me later, okay?”

“Of course. Good night, Amelia.”

He waits until I’m down the driveway and out of view before he closes the door, and I walk the block with a stupid smile on my face despite the shitstorm we’re in. We’ll figure out what to do, I’m certain of it.

Once I open my car door and the coolness of the temperature within it hits me, I remember that I left my sweater in Aiden’s kitchen. Deciding it’s better to stay warm on the drive home, I head back to Aiden’s house, preferring to walk so I can use the time to think. Do I tell Annalisa? Is it that simple?

Once I turn the corner and have a straight view to Aiden’s house, I spot two men in business suits, seeming completely out of place in Aiden’s quiet neighborhood. A large black SUV sits parked on the road a few houses away from Aiden’s in the opposite direction of me. My next step falters. Is that Aiden’s dad?

My eyes go wide when I realize that it is Aiden’s dad, and the man with him is Harvey Vedenin, the man who tried to kill me the last time I saw him. They’re walking toward me.

What are they doing here? Do I run? Do I scream? They seem too calm to be coming here to kill me in the middle of a suburban street. How did they know I was here? Quickly, I duck behind a car parked in a driveway down the street from Aiden’s house. Peeking around to track their progress, I don’t think they see me as they casually glance around the neighborhood. My heart beats louder and louder in my chest as they stop their progress toward me and instead turn onto Aiden’s driveway.

They haven’t come for me, they’re here for Aiden.