“Aiden?”Alex had stepped out of the house, her mom by his side.They surveyed the scene and Lizzie gasped.Brooke broke free of Aiden, rushing over to her mother to show her she was okay before Lizzie passed out.
Everything was a blur after that.Agent Jessop called for backup and an ambulance.
Brooke’s mom fussed over her, and Aiden stayed glued to her side as more FBI agents arrived to take their statements and debrief them.
Thanks to her mother’s hot tea and the support of the Sterling family, who had all shown up as soon as they’d heard what happened, Brooke managed to calm down.
Hours later, Agent Jessop sat down with her and Aiden in the kitchen.The man’s hair was askew, his tie undone, and he looked exhausted.She understood.Shewas emotionally drained from the entire ordeal.And something told her it wasn’t over yet.
“Thank you for saving us,” she blurted out, earning a brief smile from the agent before his face turned solemn again.It seemed to be his default look.
“You’re welcome, Miss Snyder.Now, I want to update you all on what’s going to happen next.”
Aiden tensed beside her.
Jessop shook his head.“They might send someone after you again, but they’d have to move fast.”
Brooke frowned.“What does that mean?”
“It means that we can directly tie this assassin to the crime family that hired him.We have his phone, a confession, and his willingness to give up names and information in return for a deal.”
“He confessed?”Brooke asked, surprised.“Don’t these guys usually refuse to speak, showing loyalty tothe familyand all that?”
Again, she was rewarded with a quick smile.“This isn’t a mafia movie, Miss Snyder.He’s not high enough up in the organization to show that kind of loyalty, but he knows enough.He’ll probably get a deal for his cooperation, maybe even be put in WITSEC, but his testimony will help us take down the entire organization.”
Hope and relief rushed through her, and she let out a small, choked sound.“Really?”
“Yes.”Agent Jessop turned to Aiden.“You remember what I said about needing something I can pin on these people?Something serious and solid?”
Aiden nodded.
“Well, we’ve just found it.”
Aiden let out a long exhale, his entire being deflating.Seeing relief fill him, Brooke grasped onto his hand.
“Will my family be safe?”he asked.
“It might take a few months to track down all the members of the organization, but after that, you’ll be okay.Your article is going to help strengthen our case as well.Your work is going to save lives, Mr.Sterling.”
At his words, pride welled up in Brooke for Aiden and the work he’d done.
With a promise to be in touch by the evening, Agent Jessop left, along with the rest of the FBI.
The family had gathered in the living room, giving Brooke and Aiden time alone.
She leaned into him, appreciating the weight of his body against hers.“I’m proud of you, Aiden.”
“Thank you.”With a shudder, Aiden wrapped his arms around her.Holding her tight, he brushed her temple with his lips.“God, Brooke.I’ve never been as scared as I was when I thought you were hurt.”
She hugged him back, her chest filling with warmth.“How about we try to avoid any more drama for a while?”she suggested.
With a bark of laughter, Aiden pulled back and cupped her face, looking at her like she was precious.“I have a feeling we’ll be out of touch for a while, but once the FBI says we’re free, I think we should do something completely drama-free.”
“Such as?”she asked, glancing up at him, filled with so much love her chest hurt.
“I was thinking about… house-hunting.”
Brooke gasped.“Are you asking me to move in with you?”
