“Quinn needs to know that he matters, that he wasn’t just a means to an end. He needs to know that you’re not going to try and take his kids away like some alphas out there would. Most importantly, he needs to know that he’s enough, just him, not because of what he brings to the table.”
Aiden knew Rafe was right. He’d made Quinn doubt how much he meant to him. Aiden had hurt his omega, and he was willing to spend the rest of his life fixing that. He needed Quinn to know that before his life was forever empty.
Rafe smiled like he could read Aiden’s mind. “That look right there tells me my work here is done.”
Aiden sighed and hugged Rafe. “Thanks, Papa.”
“Anytime. I love you, Aiden. Now go get me a son-in-law and bring my grandkids back, and tell Quinn if he needs me to give you an ass-whooping, he should call me.”
Aiden’s lips twitched for a second as they stepped back from the hug. He glanced at the clock. If he hurried, then he could catch Quinn at work still. He grabbed his car keys and ran out the door, yelling “Thanks, Papa” as he rushed down the front steps.
On the way to Quinn’s work, he tried calling the omega once more. As expected, Quinn didn’t answer. He disconnected the call and drove the rest of the way, knots in his stomach from not knowing what would happen when he arrived.
There were only a few cars left in the parking lot when he pulled in, but he noticed Quinn’s vehicle right away, and he was relieved to see that he hadn’t missed him. He parked and went up to the front door.
When he got inside, he saw Natalie at the desk. She looked up, and her lips turned down. “Mr. Cross…”
Wow, his name had never sounded more like a four-letter word.
She quickly got on her feet. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Nat, I just need to talk to him. Five minutes tops.”
“He told me that under no circumstances were you allowed to see him. I could lose my job, Mr. Cross.” She stood there with her hands fisted on her hips.
Aiden knew Quinn would never fire Nat, but he also didn’t blame her for being protective.
Aiden looked past the desk in the direction of Quinn’s office, and then back to her. “I have to do this.Please.”
He moved past Nat, but kept his eyes on her to see if she would stop him. She sat back down at her desk and looked at her computer. He breathed a sigh of relief, but then Nat’s voice stopped him.
“If you hurt him again, I know people that clean crime scenes.”
Well, that had gotten dark fast. When he looked at Nat, she was typing away on the computer and didn’t even look his way. Not wanting to poke a hornets’ nest, he took the invitation the receptionist had given and quietly proceeded to Quinn’s office before she changed her mind.
When he reached the doorway, he could see Quinn putting on his jacket as if he was ready to go. Aiden snuck in and shut the door behind him, the noise causing Quinn to look up.
“Aiden, what the hell are you doing here?” He reached for the phone. “I swear that I will call the cops if you don’t get your ass out of here now.”
Aiden put his hands up. “Quinn…please, just hear me out.”
Quinn’s eyes on him narrowed, but he did withdraw his hand from the phone. Aiden would count that as a small win.
“Thank you!” Aiden said. “I know that you have no reason to trust me, but all I ask is that you please just give me a chance to explain.”
Quinn looked away for a moment, and when he looked back, he gave a small nod.
“I never saw you coming. There’s a part of me that always felt I wasn’t worthy of love. My father didn’t want me, so why would anyone else?” Aiden let out a breath. “When I came here, I admit I had one goal in mind. I wanted to know Leo, Keith, and Haley, and I decided that nothing was going to stand in my way. I don't expect you to understand, but after my bout with cancer and the doctor telling me that I may never be able to have my own children, I became desperate. Before I knew you, I am ashamed to admit that yes, you were a means to an end.”
He saw Quinn flinch at his words and took a step towards him, but Quinn took a step back, so he froze.
“I don’t know what my plan was, and it was foolish, but I swear to you, I didn’t plan for what happened between us. It caught me completely by surprise. I fell in love with you because you’re amazing, you’re strong and smart, and you have the biggest heart. I know I should have been honest with you from the first day. I have lived to regret that decision so many times, but I was scared. And once you became a part of my life that I couldn't do without, I was so scared of losing you, Quinn. Scared that I would fuck it up. You and the triplets are my life. Please, my love, give me a chance to prove it. I swear. I’ll work every waking moment to deserve you.”
Quinn shook his head. “That doesn’t change the fact that you broke my trust. How can I forgive you? I don’t know if I can ever look at you in the same light again.”
Aiden flinched, but stepped forward toward him. At least this time, Quinn didn’t back away.
“I can’t make you believe me. I can’t force you to forgive me. All I know is the past week of not talking to you, not seeing you, not being with you, and not touching you... it’s been the hardest week of my life.” Aiden could feel the burn from the tears filling his eyes.
