I was wrong.
The officer ushers us into an open room. There are ten tables with chairs surrounding each one. Similar to a small cafeteria. A dad is getting a visit from his wife and children on one side, and on the other, I see a man facing away from us.
Thomas.
Hesitantly, I walk up to the table, using Aiden’s arm for support. He slides my chair out and I sit, staring at my hands, too afraid to look up. I wish Mom was here with me, but I didn’t dare tell her. She would’ve flipped.
I look over to make sure Howard is close by. I’ve rarely seen any emotions on his face, but his eyes are glued to Thomas. His expression is angry, but Aiden…his expression is killer. Animalistic, as he stares down the man who murdered my father.
Now, it’s my turn.
I’ve never seen him in person as I was too scared to go to the court hearings. I saw his blurry mugshot in the paper once, never on the news though... I couldn’t bear to look while my mom watched the segments. I expected to see a monster, yet I didn’t. Asides from his orange jumpsuit and shackles, he looks…normal.
My hands shake as he looks into my eyes, his expression thoughtful. Aiden taps the table and Thomas’s attention snaps to him.
Aiden proceeds to set the rules. “Look down, unless she asks you to look at her. Don’t speak, unless she asks you to speak to her. If you make her uncomfortable in any way, I won’t hesitate to take you out. Do you understand?” His tone is intimidating.
Thomas bows his head, but I note a smile playing on his lips. His expression is blank when he lifts his head and he doesn’t look at me.
I take a deep breath. I had concocted a solid one-sided conversation in my head on the ride here, but now…with him, in front of me, my thoughts are jumbled. I can’t put the pieces together.
Deep breaths.
“All I want to say,” I pause, gathering my courage. “Look at me.” He obeys, his smokey eyes look back at me. “I wanted to let you know that you not only ended my father’s life, you ended a lot of other things too.”
I sit up straighter, taking courage from Aiden’s reassuring hand interlaced with mine. “My mom lost the love of her life, and I don’t say that lightly. Their love has no boundaries. My father never got to attend my high school graduation, he never got to send me off to college. He will never get to walk me down the aisle.” I choke on my last words and Aiden rubs his thumb along my shaking hand.
Thomas bows his head, looking up when Aiden taps the table in warning, his expression is pained.
It infuriates me.
“I don’t know why they’re releasing you. You don’t deserve to see the light of day again. You’ll never have the kind of life my dad lived. You are nothing. No one. A drunk. My father was an honorable man. He was protecting this city, but evil men like you are everywhere. I know what it’s like now.” He cocks his head to the side. “I know what it’s like for your life to be in danger. I’ve faced men like you. Fuck you.”
With that, I burst into tears.
Aiden leans me into his shoulder before gesturing for the guards.
“She’s done,” He says to Howard.
I nod.
Thomas clears his throat and looks at me. “What do y–”
“Don’t you dare fucking speak.” Aiden’s voice booms through the quiet room.
My eyes are blurry, but I can see Aiden’s chest rising and falling as he attempts to calm himself. I’ve said what I needed to and now, I just want to get out.
I clutch onto Aiden’s hand as we make our way to the parking lot. He gets a phone call and lets go of my hand for a moment. Still unbalanced by my emotions and tear-soaked vision, I clumsily trip over my own feet and fall face first onto the pavement. I scream slightly, throwing my hand out to catch myself.
Aiden is by my side in a flash, concern all over his face. “Babe, what happened?”
“I’m clumsy.” I shake my head, not wanting to admit that him holding me gives me so much strength and courage that when he let go, I couldn’t physically hold myself up any longer. I know I’m a strong girl, but I need him right now. I have no shame in that.
Aiden examines the damage before scooping me up and depositing me in the backseat, snapping at Howard to grab the first aid kit.
“Don’t snap at him!” I scold lightly, but Aiden ignores me.
Howard holds out the alcohol and gauze, which Aiden snatches and begins cleaning me up. I pull away and shoot him a look.
“Thank you.”
Howard nods, uncomfortable with even the slightest appreciative words.
I let out a small laugh. Even though it’s brief, it warms my cheeks.
After I’m cleaned and bandaged – only minor scratches, but I still look beautiful, Aiden claims – he holds me while Howard drives us home.
I’m ready for this shit day to be over.
∞∞∞
I had three days off to collect myself, well not completely…I worked at home and got so much more done since Aiden likes to take at least three ‘meetings with his assistant’ a day. I’m not complaining though.
I feel refreshed. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Now, I can focus on healing those pieces that I’ve held on so vigorously to for so long.
My phone rings.
Aiden’s husky voice warms my ears. “Emilia, come into my office a moment.”
I happily walk in and smooth my skirt down.
Aiden sits behind his desk, his arm casually draped over the back of his chair. His cuffs are undone. He looks casual yet powerful. He twirls a glass of whiskey, the ice clinking against the crystal, which breaks me from my trance.
“Can
