Page 62 of Bitter Lies

Not that I would’ve, but whatever.

Smart move, though, since I excel at reading lips. A skill I picked up in a world surrounded by gossipers. I learned early on how easily people were at deception, pretending to care while secretly spreading slander and lies. With my brother as the king, too many got close to me only to get to him. Lip-reading became my way of identifying who I could trust.

My inner circle was small. Just three of us. Sadly, after secondary school, we grew apart and went our separate ways.

While I couldn’t read his lips, his body language was a clear giveaway. He paced the backyard and threw his head back more than once. The conversation was grating, a clear pain in his arse. When he hung up, he yelled for Bear, then stomped through the backdoor, a frown souring his handsome face.

Aiden frowns more than anyone I’ve ever met. It makes those rare smiles of his feel like I’ve won the lottery. He’s the only guy I know who looks sinfully delicious even when he scowls. It does nothing to deter me or my libido from wanting him. All of him. Our shower only made it worse. He rocked my world, and we’ve barely scratched the surface.

Maybe I can talk him into another round after this grim trip to the morgue. God knows I’ll need something to get my mind off what I’m about to do.

We’re back in the SUV now, getting this nightmare over with.

Glancing to my left, I study the scowling man. If I had my sketchbook with me, I’d do my best to capture it. I’m not the best, but Larkin taught me enough to get by. The basics. Well enough for me to appreciate what little talent I have. Drawing is my favorite way to destress, to focus on nothing but the pencil and paper.

Aiden stares daggers at his buzzing phone. After typing a message, he kills the screen and shoves it inside his shirt pocket. Ignoring it, even though it buzzes three more times before silencing.

I shouldn’t taunt him, but I need a distraction. “Is it wise to piss off the Irish mob?”

“Don’t care,” he grumbles, keeping his eyes straight ahead.

“If you need to go, I understand.” My eyes travel to my two guards. They face forward, but are fully aware of what’s happening behind them. “Sasha and Ryan won’t leave my side.”

His frown deepens, if that’s even possible. “It can wait. I promised not to let you do this alone. I never break a promise.”

“Never?” I find that hard to believe. “Everyone breaks promises.”

“Not me.” He huffs then slides his hand across the seat and works it under mine, linking our fingers together. “Not to you.”

A lump forms in my throat. I’m unsure of how to take that. Confused why it means so much coming from him.

Then a thought occurs to me.

“You never would have called, right?” I don’t need to elaborate. He knows when I mean.

He shakes his head and swallows; the movement causes his Adam’s apple to bob. “Dragging you into my life was selfish. I wanted you safe.”

“And now?” I shift in my seat, turning to face him. “After what happened earlier?”

Tension coils through his body; his grip on my hand speaks volumes. “You belong to me now. Your protection is my responsibility. I’ll kill anyone who dares to look at or touch you.”

I keep a close eye on my guards while they listen.

Sasha’s shoulder shakes with a hushed snicker. She’s my head of security and more laid-back than the others. While committed to her job, she affords me more freedom than the other three do. It’s why I request her when I go out. She often poses as a friend.

Ryan fidgets behind the wheel. When we stop at a light, he checks the rearview, his hatred for the man behind him very noticeable. He’s a by-the-book kind of guy. When he’s in charge, there’s no room for fun.

“Drop that attitude.” I try to pull away, but Aiden keeps a tight hold of my hand. “I don’t need more protection. I have more than enough as it is.”

“Too bad.” Only when we get to the back of an old building does he let it go. “As long as you and I are together, it’s non-negotiable.”

Before I can tell him to fuck off, he’s out his door and circling around the back.

Ryan jumps out at the same time and dashes around the front, and I can’t help but laugh. I swear these two are going to come to blows over me.

Ryan reaches the door first and opens it.

Not about to be shown up, Aiden butts his way in and offers me his hand. As if he’s the man in charge, he barks out orders.