He drove home with more caution than ever.Her tension got to him and he didn’t want her any more upset than she already was.He hated to think of her handling these drives alone all these years, but it did no good for him to look back now.
Glancing from the corner of his eye he saw her hands gripping her seat belt tightly, her leg bouncing up and down with nervous energy.“We’ll be home soon,” he promised.And to distract her, he said, “I hope you weren’t planning to sleep in your own bed tonight, because I want you with me.”
She let out a huff of unexpected laughter.“Really?You’re trying to make me focus on something else by talking about sex?”
“No.”He pulled up to a red light and glanced at her with a smile.“I’m saying that I want you in my arms tonight.I don’t like seeing you so scared, and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Well, we’re just a couple blocks from home.”
He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back, just as the light changed.The green arrow appeared and he began his left turn, moving slowly as there was no one behind him, and he knew this light gave him plenty of time.
Out of nowhere, a dark vehicle darted out from the parking lot across the street, screeching into the road and gunning it toward them.The SUV came closer and it resembled the vehicle that nearly ran him over and fled from the diner.
“Shit!”he shouted, and shot his arm out to brace Brooke even as he slammed his foot down on the brakes.Their car shot forward, hitting a puddle and hydroplaning out of control.
Brooke screamed, the shrill sound ringing in his ears as everything blurred around him.Every muscle in his body seized tight and he attempted to maneuver the vehicle out of the spin and bring the car to a stop.
He whipped his neck to the side in time to see the SUV speed off.As for them, the car had spun a few times and come to a stop, one tire over the sidewalk.
“Brooke?”He looked at her terror-filled face, eyes wide, skin pale, and her body trembling.
Tears swam in her eyes, but she didn’t answer him.He unbuckled himself first, then reached over and did the same for her, pulling her into his arms as best he could in the front seat.She sniffed into his shirt, and he whispered soothing words in her ear, all the while running a hand up and down her back, comforting her as much as possible.
But inside, he wasfurious.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The next morning,Brooke sat in the kitchen with her mom, a cup of coffee in hand.She hadn’t slept well last night, the near accident leaving her too rattled to get any rest.By the time the police came and took their statements, it was late.Once home, she’d let her mother make her a cup of tea to help her relax.
But when she lay down, even wrapped in Aiden’s protective arms, sleep eluded her.And when she managed to finally fall asleep, a nightmare about the incident startled her awake.The pattern repeated itself until the morning sun came in through the windows.
A glance at the clock on the microwave told her it was just after ten a.m.She was tired and anxious, her stomach still rolling too much for her to eat or hold food down.
She’d known since the night she’d seen his hands wrapped in bandages that something was going on with Aiden, and she had no doubt last night was related, as well.Because that SUV had beentryingto hit them.She was sure the briefcase theft was another thing she could chalk up to whatever was going on with him.
“You look like you need this,” Brooke’s mom said, placing a fresh, hot cup of coffee on the kitchen island in front of her.
“Thanks, Mom.”She pushed aside the cold cup and added both milk and sugar to the new one.Taking a long sip, then another, the warmth helped and she hoped the jolt of caffeine would kick in soon.
Aiden was in the living room with his father, waiting for the rest of the siblings to come to the house.Aiden had something to share with everyone.And though he’d offered to tell her prior, she had chosen to take the time to pull herself together and hear it along with everyone else.She did appreciate him giving her the choice this time, before he made another family announcement.
Jared was the only sibling not coming today.Charlie was still in the hospital with the baby, and though they’d discharge her later today, he didn’t want to leave her side.
“How’s your chest feel?”her mom asked as Brooke drank her coffee.
“It’s sore,” Brooke said, wincing.Bruises had settled across her chest from the seat belt tightening as the car had spun out of control.“I’m still in shock.”
Her mom nodded.“I’m curious to hear what Aiden has to say.He didn’t tell you what’s going on?”
She shook her head.“I opted to wait for the rest of the family.”
The last time he’d made an announcement to the group, he’d broken her heart, but they’d reached the point where she could give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Let’s go see who’s here,” Brooke said.Taking her coffee, she and her mom walked into the crowded living room.
The vibe was completely different from last night at the hospital.By now, they all knew about the accident and knew it was the catalyst for this meeting.Still, the murmurs and question why reverberated around her.
The living room was large enough to seat everyone, but Brooke hesitated.Aiden was standing in front of his family, his obvious nerves causing his hands to jangle in front of him.
