Chapter 140
I wake before the alarm. Well not really wake up because I didn’t.
The room is still dar and for a moment I lie still, staring at the ceiling.
Then I turn my head eElaine is asleep on the other side of the bed, curled slightly toward my side like she drifted there sometime during the night without realizing it. Her hair is spread across the pillow in a messy halo. One arm is tucked under the pillow, the other resting loosely near her chest. The oversized shirt she stole from my closet hangs off one shoulder, exposing the curve of her collarbone.
Her breathing is slow and even and Peaceful Which is ironic because nothing about the last twenty-four hours has been peaceful.
I prop myself up on one elbow and watch her just for a minute mayb two.
She doesn’t stir… and a faint crease sits between her brows, even in sleep. Like her mind refuses to completely relax, probably because of the conversation yesterday. The one I shouldn’t have had, the one I told myself I would never have.
I rub a hand over my face.
That look on her face when I said it p>
Disbelief, fury and determination. She looked ready to march out of this house and start a war if she had to and she probably will, which is exactly why I can’t stop her. Tryin to lock her down would only make it worse… Elaime isn’t the type to sit quietly, especially when it involves her family.
My eyes move back to her face and she shifts slightly in her sleep, her fingers curling against the pillow.
God.
She has no idea what she’s walking into, I reach out without thinking and brush a loose strand of hair away from her cheek. The movement is light enough that she doesn’t wake.
Good.
The last thing I need right now is another argument.
I sit there a moment longer, then I carefully slide out of bed. The floor is cold under my feet as I stand as I grab a pair of sweatpants from the chair near the bed and pull them on before heading toward the bathroom.
The shower is quick, the water helps clear the fog out of my head. By the time I step out and dry off, the sky outside the window has shifted slightly from black to that deep navy blue that comes right before sunrise.
I dress quickly black shirt, dark jeans, something simple and functional.
Then I leave the bedroom quietly, closing the door behind me without making a sound… The hallway is empty except for the night guard near the stairs and he nods once when he sees me.
“Sir p>
I return the nod and keep walking. The house is quiet at this hour, half of the staff won’t start moving around for another hour at least. Wjicj is exactly how I like it.
My office is at the far end of the hall on the ground floor. And when I get there the door is already open, that’s the first sign for me my morning isn’t going to be peaceful, the second sign is Thomas sitting in one of the chairs across from my desk when I walk in.
He looks up immediately.
“You’re early p>
“So are you p>
Thomas leans back in the chair slightly, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck that’s never a good sign with him.
“What is it,” I ask.
His mouth tightens.
“We still haven’t found out who who orchestrated the car crash p>
I don’t sit down I just stand and stare at him. Disappointment doesn’t even begin to cover it.
“Well that’s disappointing,” I say slowly.
Thomas exhales quietly.
“I know p>
I move behind my desk, resting my hands on the edge.
“Mhm maybe I should start looking for a new and more effective security team p>
The door behind Thomas opens before he can respond nd Aarom walks in.
He freezes immediately having heard the last part of that sentence.
Good He heard it.
I shift my gaze to him now.
“Maybe I should look into finding a new and more effective bodyguard for her p>
Aaron stiffens like someone just drove a nail through his spine.
“I know I showed a lapse in judgment,” he says quickly, stepping further into the room. “But I figured she’d be safer if I were with her than anywhere else p>
I lean back against the desk slowly.
Safer.
The word tastes bitter.
“You figured wrong p>
Aaron’s jaw tightens.
“With respect, sir p>
“You almost got her killed p>
The room goes silent aaron doesn’t look away but I see the tension in his shoulders.
“You disobeyed a direct instruction,” I continue.
“She insisted on leaving p>
“And your job was to stop her p>
He hesitates just for a second
“You think I pay you to negotiate with her p>
“No boss p>
“You think I keep you around because you’re polite and so nice p>
“No, sir p>
“Then explain to me how she ended up on a bridge with a crashed vehicle and armed men around it p>
Aaron’s hands clench slightly at his sides.
“I made a call I thought was the best option at the time p>
“And it almost got both of you killed p>
Thomas shifts slightly in his chair but doesn’t speak.
He is a smart man.
Aaron takes a breath.
“I take responsibility for that p>
Good. He should.
I straighten slowly.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I say.
Both men watch me carefully.
“You’re going to find out who was behind pl that attack p>
Aaron nods immediately.
“We’re already p>
“No p>
I cut him off.
“You’re not already doing anything. Not if I can’t see results yet p>
I step away from the desk.
“You’re going to find out who did it p>
My voice lowers.
“And this time you’re not coming back with guesses p>
Thomas nods once.
“Understood p>
“I want names p>
I look between them.
” Evidence that can’t be argued and proof p>
Aaron nods again.
“Yes, sir p>
I gesture toward the door.
“Go p>