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)
“I should have told you sooner,” Aiden said, his eyes meeting Brooke’s before taking in the rest of his family. “At first, I wasn’t sure if it was a serious threat. Or maybe I didn’t want to believe it had followed me back here.”
“Someone tried to run you over in a parking lot!” Dex shouted, and Fallon nodded her head hard.
“Because they want to stop the article from going to print. It’s being released tomorrow, and I had hoped the threat would disappear afterward. They’ll be too busy doing cleanup to worry about me.” He repeated his editor’s words, now wondering if that had been naïve.
Remy glared at Aiden, a combination of anger and fear in his eyes. He’d always been protective and realizing that Aiden had been in danger for weeks would no doubt tear him up. Especially because he’d been kept in the dark.
Brooke understood the feeling.
“Haven’t you ever heard of retribution?” Dex asked through clenched teeth. “These people might be pissed off enough to try to kill you whether the article is out there or not.”
“Dex has a point, son,” Alex said, his skin pale and the deep lines of his face more prominent than usual.
“I thought about it, I just hoped things would end with publication,” Aiden said. He glanced at his father and his shoulders sagged, no doubt because he realized the stress this was putting on Alex.
“I guess I wanted to believe I’d be home free afterward and that’s why I kept quiet. But once Brooke was in the car with me, it became clear no one around me was safe.”
Everyone began talking at once.
Aiden tried to explain himself, while Remy asked for more details, and Fallon began to cry. Dex and Samantha were talking to each other, and it seemed like she was trying to calm him down. There was so much noise, and the emotions running wild were suffocating.
Brooke needed space so she slipped out of the room. Walking through the kitchen, she opened the sliding glass door and stepped out onto the patio in the backyard. She couldn’t stop the truth from running in her head on a constant loop. He’d been trying to win her back for weeks, all the while being threatened by some unknown enemy.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to think clearly. Him keeping this huge secret was a tough pill to swallow but she couldn’t help but think he’d avoided telling her about it for a reason. Because he didn’t think she was strong enough to handle it? Because he was worried she’d back away if she knew? Either way, he hadn’t given her enough credit, and they’d be having words later. This seemed like another example of him taking a choice away from her and making decisions on his own.
In the past, she’d have let the hurt consume her and push him away, but she’d learned her lesson. Running didn’t bring her peace or happiness. Being with Aiden did. And now she felt a little better after her few minutes of introspection.
She was just about to head back inside when the door opened, and her mom stepped out.
She gave Brooke a small smile, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Brooke chuckled but there was no humor in it. “Not really.”
“Of course you aren’t. It was a silly question. You just found out your boyfriend’s life is being threatened.”
“Exactly.”
Her mom tucked a strand of hair behind Brooke’s ear. “We haven’t really had much of a chance to talk lately, but I had a feeling something was going on between you two again.”
“You’ve always been clever.” Brooke gripped her mom’s arm and gave it a squeeze. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before now. It’s just been… complicated.”
“I understand that. My journey with Alex wasn’t exactly straightforward, either. But I’ve known about your feelings for Aiden for years now. You can’t hide that kind of thing from your mom.”
Brooke pulled her mother into a hug. She’d held back her feelings for Aiden for so long, it felt good to talk about this with her. “I never wanted anyone to have to pick sides,” she admitted.
“Well, I’m not just anyone, but I know you. And I was there for you, supporting you, whether you told me or not.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“Me too, baby girl.” She kissed the top of Brooke’s head. “Ready to go inside?”
Brooke nodded. Rising, they walked back into the house. There were no longer voices shouting over each other, and Brooke let out a relieved breath. Maybe they could figure out a plan together.
She stepped into the living room to see only Aiden and Remy were still in the room, their backs facing her.
“You’re right. I don’t know if the threat will go away once the article comes out,” Aiden said, unaware she was in the room. “I only have one choice. I have to leave New York.”