Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Even better, his father had texted him while the paramedic was wrapping his palms, informing Aiden that he and Lizzie were going out for dinner. Their night out was welcome. Aiden wouldn’t have to answer questions about the bandages on his hands.
He didn’t need the painful reminder. He’d been reliving the moment since it happened. The sound of the engine echoed in his mind and his just-in-time dive out of the way. Such a close call. His heart rate sped up in his chest.
Rising, he walked to the kitchen. His hands shook as he pulled scotch from the cabinet above the stove, where his dad stashed the good stuff, although he wasn’t partaking much anymore because of his heart. Using his fingers and being careful not to drop the bottle, he poured a glass and took a long sip.
He’d tried to stay calm after the incident, to think rationally and not jump to conclusions about who had been behind the wheel, but as he took another sip of whisky, feeling it burn down his throat, he had to admit he was shaken.
He hadn’t thought they’d try and kill him… until now. It didn’t make sense. The article would run no matter what happened to him.
But, his death would send a message, the same as when they’d killed Ingrid. But her murder hadn’t stopped him. If anything, he’d been more driven to bring the corruption to light. No matter what happened to Ingrid or to him, once the world became aware, the investigation would continue.
All he knew was that the threat to his life felt very real, and he needed to be more careful from now on. This couldn’t last forever, and with luck, the article’s release would put an end to the danger. There was the potential for revenge once the story ran, but whoever was after him would be too busy with avoiding arrest. The police were now involved, not that they were convinced it was anything other than a speeding driver, but they would investigate.
Before he could continue to let his thoughts spin in his head, he heard the front door open and the sound of footsteps in the hall.
He strode out of the kitchen to see Brooke walking through the entryway, her leather tote slung over one shoulder, purse over the other, dragging a suitcase behind her. She paused where she stood.
Brooke had been in this house many times over the years, hanging out with him, having sleepovers with Fallon, and for family gatherings which always included her and Lizzie.
Her hesitation now surprised him. “What’s wrong?” he asked, setting his empty glass onto the foyer table.
She closed the door behind her and set her briefcase on the same table. “I just… feel weird about staying here. Like I’m intruding.”
Though he understood, he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. “Don’t be silly,” he said lightly.
Brooke narrowed her gaze. “Don’t call me silly. It’s just strange. I’m going to be living here. At least, temporarily.”
Aiden raised his hands up in a gesture of surrender, and Brooke’s annoyed expression faded away.
Instead, her eyes grew wide, and she rushed toward him. “Oh my God. What happened?” she asked, grabbing his wrists and staring at the white bandages.
Shit. He hadn’t been thinking about the bandages when he showed her his palms. “Nothing to worry about. I just have to leave them wrapped overnight to prevent infection,” he said, avoiding what she was really asking.
“But… what happened?” A concerned look settled on her face, and despite the seriousness of the situation, he appreciated her worry.
A couple of weeks ago, he’d been sure she hated him, so he was grateful for any sign of her caring. He’d thought about what to tell her when she asked, had even considered lying, but he couldn’t do it. They wouldn’t make progress together if he withheld information now. He just didn’t want her to freak out when she heard.
“I was almost run down in a shopping center parking lot earlier. I dove out of the way and did a number on my palms.”
“Run down?” she asked, her voice rising. She gripped his wrists tighter and the blood rushed from her face, leaving her pale. “I can’t believe this. People are in too big a hurry sometimes. I mean, if they were going so fast they almost hit you…” She trailed off, studying his face. “Wait a minute. You don’t think someone was trying to hit you on purpose, do you?”
He didn’t know what she saw in his expression, but she knew how to read him.
He shrugged. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think. I was working on a story before I came home and there was definitely danger involved,” he hedged, holding back information. There was no reason to scare her further with the details of his article and the other incidents. She’d panic if she knew someone had actually threatened him.