“You’ve always been clever.”Brooke gripped her mom’s arm and gave it a squeeze.“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before now.It’s just been… complicated.”
“I understand that.My journey with Alex wasn’t exactly straightforward, either.But I’ve known about your feelings for Aiden for years now.You can’t hide that kind of thing from your mom.”
Brooke pulled her mother into a hug.She’d held back her feelings for Aiden for so long, it felt good to talk about this with her.“I never wanted anyone to have to pick sides,” she admitted.
“Well, I’m not just anyone, but I know you.And I was there for you, supporting you, whether you told me or not.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“Me too, baby girl.”She kissed the top of Brooke’s head.“Ready to go inside?”
Brooke nodded.Rising, they walked back into the house.There were no longer voices shouting over each other, and Brooke let out a relieved breath.Maybe they could figure out a plan together.
She stepped into the living room to see only Aiden and Remy were still in the room, their backs facing her.
“You’re right.I don’t know if the threat will go away once the article comes out,” Aiden said, unaware she was in the room.“I only have one choice.I have to leave New York.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Aiden ran afrustrated hand through his hair, angry with himself and the situation he found himself in.He’d wanted to come home and move on, so despite the threats and warnings, it had been too hard to accept the fact that he was truly unsafe.
He could see now, he’d performed some damned good mental gymnastics to convince himself he’d be okay if he could just hold on until the article was published.He’d been in complete denial about the danger.
Until Brooke was in the car with him when the SUV tried to hit them.Her scream still echoed in his ears and brought reality home to him.She could have been killed, and it would have been his fault.He hadn’t been worried enough about himself, but he loved Brooke too much to risk her life ever again.
He’d held her all night, not catching any sleep because he knew what he had to do when morning came.Starting with telling his family and Brooke about his reality and the risk he posed to them all.
After everyone finished yelling, his father had ushered them all out, insisting Aiden and Remy come up with a reasonable plan.After listening to his oldest brother tear him a new one for not reaching out to him,to hell with his vacation, he realized he’d been living in a fantasy world.
Dex had been right, too.“Haven’t you ever heard of retribution?”
Aiden had no idea what would or wouldn’t motivate someone to come for him, be it to stop him from publishing the article or for payback because he hadn’t.Would they come for him?His family?Brooke?
He had to leave so the people he loved didn’t have targets on their backs.
Turning to Remy, who had suggested he leave town, he said, “You’re right.I don’t know if the threat will go away once the article comes out.I only have one choice.I have to leave New York.”
A gasp sounded behind him and he spun around to see Brooke staring at him in wide-eyed disbelief.“What did you just say?”
Shit, shit, and double shit.“Brooke, listen.”He intended to explain everything in detail so she understood he had no alternative.
“No, I will not listen.You are not leaving when you just decided to stay.”She set her hands on her hips and glared at him.
God, she was beautiful in her fury.His girl had found her voice.Unlike five years ago when he’d dictated how things would be, today, she stood up to him and he admired the hell out of her for doing so.
“Brooke…” He reached for her, but she took a step back.
“Do not try and placate me,” she warned him.
“I have to leave so everyone, including you, will be safe.But it’s temporary and I’ll come back when the threat is gone.I swear.”His heart hammered hard in his chest, but she needed to let him do what was right.He’d put everyone at risk for too long.
She narrowed her gaze, her suspicion clear.“And when will that be?”she asked.
Remy cleared his throat and met her gaze.“Based on what we know about the corruption that Aiden will expose in the article, I think he’s right about the country involved launching an investigation.But the idea that the people behind all this will disappear because the article ran is flawed.”
Brooke bit down on her lower lip.
Aiden used her silence to speak.“It’ll take time for the people responsible for both the corruption and Ingrid’s death to be held accountable.Until then, everyone will be safer away from me.I can lay low somewhere they can’t find me.”He hated the idea of being alone somewhere, hiding out away from his family and away from Brooke.“Think of it like witness protection.”
