Page 39 of Sinful Desires

Chapter Seventeen

Aiden relaxed backagainst the counter, drinking his coffee as he waited for Malik.

“She’s in the shower,” Malik said.

Aiden nodded.“Okay, so Warner said he could be here later today.I know he said he wanted to surprise her, but I think we have to tell Camila.”

“I’m not sure we did the right thing,” Malik said as he poured coffee.“I think we should have discussed it first.What if he’s a monster and what she’s running from?”

“I thought about that.Sheriff Raymond met the man.He said he was beside himself worrying about his stepdaughter.”

Malik took a drink.“I think we should discuss it with her instead of surprising her.”

“Surprise me with what?”she asked as she came through the door.She immediately went to Aiden and hugged him tightly.

The men glanced at each other.

She looked back and forth.Aiden could tell their silence was upsetting her.

“We have a surprise for you.”

“Okay.”

“We heard on the radio and then talked to the sheriff about your family.They are anxious to see you and make sure you're all right.”

Aiden watched the color drain from her face as she jerked away from him.She turned and took a few steps away and then whirled around to face them again.He cringed at the look on her face and knew they had made a horrible mistake.

“You talked to Edward?”

“Yes.He seemed very concerned,” Malik said.

Aiden's stomach twisted when she laughed, but it was almost a desperate sound.There was nothing joyful about it.

“What was said?”she asked.

“He’s driving up this afternoon.He’s anxious to see you.”

“I just bet he is.”

She held her arms out when Malik took a few steps toward her.“No, just don’t touch me.”

“Easy, baby.We thought we were doing a good thing,” Malik told her.

She pressed her lips together.“If you wanted me to leave, why didn’t you just tell me?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”Aiden asked.Where was she getting that shit?They never wanted her to leave.They just wanted her family to be able to see for themselves that she was all right.

She shook her head and hugged her arms tightly around herself.“Nothing.I want to lie down.”

Aiden grabbed a hold of her arm as she tried to pass.“Wait a second, baby.What’s going through your head?”

She tried to jerk away, then stood still when he wouldn’t release her.

“Nothing.I’m just really tired.”