LOGINAidenI caught her hands before she could pull away, my thumb brushing over the bandages wrapped around them.I wished they could heal faster so I could lace my fingers through hers properly again."I made breakfast," I said."Already?" She sounded disappointed. "I woke up early for nothing," she mumbled, pouting as she started walking down the hallway.I didn't think much of what she meant and just followed her, eyes glued to the way her ass giggled under that tiny dress. Each step made the hem ride higher up her thighs, testing every once of self-control I had left.She spun around so fast that I almost walked into her."Jesus christ, Aiden, can you not look at me like I'm food?"I dragged in a slow breath, letting my gaze drag down her body and back up. "Maybe you should have thought about that before walking around with nothing underneath that dress."Her eyes narrowed into thin slits. "You did that on purpose.""Did what?""When you went shopping," she accused, crossing her arms
AidenI flipped on the lights to see Roman standing there, barefoot and staring up at me."How long have you been standing here?""I followed you from the sitting room," he replied casually.Followed me? How the hell did I not notice?"Why aren't you sleeping?"No answer."Do you need something?"His eyes dropped to the bottle in my hand."Oh." I tilted it slightly. "You're thirsty."I extended it toward him.He looked at the rim, then at me, his nose wrinkled."Mister, can't I get another bottle?""Right."I grabbed a new one from the fridge and crouched in front of him, bringing us eyes level.When he reached for it, I pulled it back.His brows furrowed."Why do you keep calling me, Mister?"He sighed and rolled his eyes like I was the exhausting one. "What else should I call you?"Daddy.The word rose instantly. I wanted to hear it from his mouth. I really did. But I'd been absent for too long, and it would be shameless to demand something I hadn't earned."Call me Aiden," I said i
AidenWhy did it have to be the same cabin I first broke her?I should have chosen another place. Not the place she had bad memories of. It's not like we even had anywhere filled with happy memories to begin with.I shut the car door and went after her.She stopped abruptly and turned. "Where is Roman?"I glanced back at the car, then at her.One side of her mouth curved, not quite a smile. More like, really?I rushed back to the car and lifted him into my arms quietly.When she saw I was carrying him, she nodded once and continued walking with her hands clasped behind her while I followed closely.Two of my men who had come earlier to clean up and stock the place stepped out of the cabin.They bowed slightly. "Good evening, boss."They greeted Leah too, who didn't acknowledge them. She was already turning toward the woods.I called one of them over, about to hand Roman off when she said, "My son doesn't like it when strangers carry him."Her tone was sharp, and I could feel another a
AidenAidenYeah. My son hates me, and he's trying way too damn hard to come between me and my woman.It started subtle with him always holding both her hands and, at times, wrapping his arms around her neck and pressing his face into hers like he was trying to hoard every scrap of her attention for himself. And the worst part was that it was actually working. Leah barely looked at me whenever he was awake, sparing me only briefly glances enough to remind me she knew I still existed before she went back to being only his. He even went as far as tiring her out enough that she fell asleep almost immediately after he did. So that even in his sleep, he was still winning.Every time I tried to start a conversation with her, he cut in with something stupid."Mummy, look.""Mummy, listen."Like a broken record with perfect timing.And when she didn't look at him immediately, he'd grab her face, turning it forcefully toward his, making a face that made Leah soften as she asked him what was w
AidenShe tried to sit up fully, fear overpowering the pain as her hand reached blindly for the IV line."Calm down," I said, catching her wrist."Let go!" She cried, struggling. "I need to find Roman.""He's here," I almost screamed at her, tightening my grip. Then softly, "He's right beside you."She stopped fighting me, her head whipping to the side.Roman shifted slightly in his sleep, stretching before curling closer to her.A half sob half breath tore out of her chest, and she clutched his arm, pulling him closer as her body shook violently."Thank God," she cried. "Thank God."I stood there, watching her fall apart, not knowing where to put my hands or even if I deserved to touch her.When she finally turned to me, her eyes were red and wet with tears, and it shattered me."I killed him," she whispered. "I killed someone in front of Roman."I sat down on the bed immediately, guiding her head carefully to my shoulder and making sure she didn't strain her ribs."He would've kille
AidenShe lay on the bed, her chest rising shallowly beneath the thin blanket. Her skin was pale, her face swollen, bruises already blooming across her cheekbones and jaw, angry purple and red that I knew would darken by morning. There were marks along her side, too, where he'd hit her.I sat close, one of her hands resting in mine, limp and cold as I watched her breathe, counting every rise and fall of it.I couldn't tear my eyes away from her, terrified that the moment I did, something would go wrong. That she'd stop breathing, and I'd miss it."There is no sign of internal complications, so she should wake up soon. We're monitoring her closely to make sure..." The rest of the doctor's words faded into the background.Soon? I lifted my head, my gaze drifting back to her face, the split in her lip tearing at my chest. When was soon? Minutes? Hours? Tomorrow?Fuck. I needed an exact time.If I hadn't gone to see Freya. If I'd been a jerk as usual and followed her even after she told







