Aiden shoved them back into the envelope, opened his desk drawer, and tossed the whole package inside.Seeing those pictures reinforced the constant undercurrent of fear in his mind ever since the vehicle nearly hit him.
Anger replaced his unease.They might think he could be intimidated, but they were wrong.He had every intention of sticking to his convictions.He wouldn’t back down and pull the article.They wouldn’t win, no matter what they tried to do to convince him.
He considered giving the envelope to the police but knew it was a dead end.There was no way the cops would find someone stalking him in the city.
Remy would be back in less than a week and the article was due for release around the same time.Until then, he’d do his best to protect himself and those he loved.He’d keep his public outings with Brooke to a minimum and carry on as usual, while hoping for the best.
The one thing he knew he wouldn’t do was expose Brooke to any danger.He’d just have to keep any public outings together to low-risk areas.
Chapter Twenty-Two
After Aiden’s visitto her office this morning, Brooke worried it would be difficult to focus on work during their meeting, but Aiden set a professional tone, and they were able to stay on task.
The bank that Jared wanted the company to buy wasn’t large, but the potential purchase still needed to be evaluated from all angles.They spent two hours creating a one-hundred-day plan to analyze the bank’s business, consult industry experts, and ultimately make an offer.The plan was just the beginning.They needed to work on assigning tasks and dates to each action item, but that could wait until tomorrow.
“That’s it for today,” Aiden said.
Brooke nodded.“I think we made headway.”
“I agree.”
She gathered her laptop and notes, and rose to her feet, but Aiden reached out and grasped her hand.His thumb pressed against the pulse point in her wrist, and she wondered if he could feel the way her heart fluttered at his touch.
“About our date.I’ll pick you up at seven tonight,” he said.
She wrinkled her nose in confusion.“Pick me up?We live in the same house.”
He grinned.“Dress casually,” he said, teasing her without explaining.
“And you still won’t tell me where we’re going?”
He shook his head.“Nope.”
Excitement rushed through her because she loved surprises, something Aiden no doubt knew and had planned accordingly.In fact, he knew more about her than anyone.The little figurine he’d given her this morning was a reminder of both that and the good times they’d shared.Tonight, they’d share one more.
After work, she changed into jeans and a cropped top—about as casual as she could get.The evenings were balmy so she pulled her hair into a ponytail and walked downstairs.The house was empty.Her mom was out, Aiden hadn’t yet come home from work, and Alex was taking a nap.Rest was the only thing the doctor ordered that he did without complaint.
The doorbell rang.
Aiden said he’dpick her up.At the time, she hadn’t known what he meant.As she strode the rest of the way down the stairs and across the entryway, she realized he’d meant just that.
She opened the door to find Aiden standing on the front porch with a bouquet of pink peonies in his hand and a smile on his face.Despite not coming home after work, he’d changed into a pair of jeans and a soft blue T-shirt that was tight around his biceps, and the blue was a perfect contrast against his tanned skin.
He looked her over in kind, his stare going from her sneakers, up past her tight jeans, to the strip of skin between the waist and her cropped top, ending on her lightly made-up face.“You look beautiful,” Aiden said, holding out the flowers.In keeping with today’s theme, peonies were her favorite.
She took them and breathed in the strong, sweet scent.“Thank you.Let me put these in some water and we can leave.”
Aiden followed her into the house, looking around like he’d never seen the place before.“Nice place you’ve got here.”
Brooke chuckled, immediately realizing what his play was.He wanted to pretend they were strangers?She could do that.
“Oh, this old place?It’s okay, I guess.”She kept her tone flippant, even though the Sterling estate was opulent and beyond most people’s means.“I just hope my luxurious way of living doesn’t intimidate you.It can be a lot for a first date with someone I barely know.”
Aiden grinned.“I can handle your lifestyle.I’ll just try extra hard to impress you.”He winked and butterflies took flight in her stomach.
After leaving the house, Aiden drove up Route 684 and pulled off an exit where she immediately saw a Ferris wheel in the background.
“We’re going to a carnival?”she asked, hearing her excitement bleed through.
