He jerked and then lost all expression.
“That much, huh?” I muttered. “You were arrested for possessing it, and I have to assume the Lordes are distributing it. How about you do the right thing and become an informant?” That way we could get the bad guys, and hopefully I could help Aiden out.
“I’m not an informant, sweetheart.” He poured more wine for us both. “The drugs they found on the raid weren’t in my room.”
“You’re a Lorde, a Defender, and you’re responsible for the entire complex.” I hadn’t even had a trial yet, and even I could make that stick in court. I set my fork down. “Seriously, Aiden. How did you end up in a motorcycle gang that’s running drugs? Why?” It hurt somehow. To think the guy I’d dreamed about for so long had turned out to be a criminal doing something that would hurt people.
He sighed. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know you lived in Ireland until you were fourteen and came to live with your grandma in Silverville when your parents died,” I said. “You were quiet and kind of rebellious, and you saved my life. That’s as much as I know.”
“My parents didn’t die,” he said, sipping his wine. “Well, my mom died when I was a toddler, but as far as I know, my dad is still alive. He beat the crap out of me to the point that my Grams got custody.” Setting down his glass, he shrugged, his eyes harder than I’d ever seen them. “I came here, made a few friends, got in a little bit of trouble, and then left when Grams died.”
I leaned forward, my heart hurting for him. But he was finally answering some questions. “Before you left town so suddenly, were you boosting cars in the city?” I’d never believed it.
His grin showed the charm he seemed to try and hide. “Listen, counselor.”
I shook my head. “That was years and years ago. If you had been boosting cars, the statute of limitations has run.” Curiosity finally perked me up.
“Huh.” He sat back, studying me. “Then, yeah. I was boosting cars.”
My mouth dropped open, and I quickly shut it. Trying to remain composed, I breathed out. “So, it was true? The sheriff was right?”
Aiden chuckled. “Yeah. That old asshole wanted to put me away regardless, but in that case, he was right. My mistake was in stealing a car out of Silverville. It was the sheriff’s aunt’s car, actually.” He snorted. “I was part of a group out of Spokane stealing cars. We were paid a set amount, depending on the car, when we delivered them to a chop shop in the Tri-Cities. I’m sure the place closed down eons ago.”
“I, uh—” I didn’t have any words. My temples started to hurt.
He kind of ducked his head. “Yeah, sorry. I know that’s not what you wanted to hear.”
No. It really wasn’t. “I defended you. To everybody,” I murmured, trying to be angry but just not finding the energy at the moment. Tomorrow, I’d get pissed. That was a good plan.
“Thanks for the defense.” He set his napkin down. “I don’t suppose you’ll be kissing me goodnight?”
Man, he was sexy. He really was. “Maybe,” I said.
His eyes darkened to the color the lake got once a year right before winter. “Really?”
I was tired, I was hurting, and I was done. For years, I’d dreamed of him, and now he was here and right in front of me. The past was coming back, too fast to stop. He was the only good thing from a day that wouldn’t leave me alone.
Maybe I didn’t wanthimto leave me alone. “You know, Aiden? I’m going to keep drinking. You should, too.” I filled our glasses again.
He shrugged, looking big and dangerous and distant. “As much as I’d love to find your g-spot, baby, this is a bad idea.”
Maybe I just didn’t want to stay alone with danger out there. No. It was Aiden. I didn’t want him to leave. “Suck it up, Devlin. Either take a drink or get out.” Man, I was tough all of a sudden.
He took a big drink. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you, Angel. No way will you be in danger. You can trust me to take care of it, but you’re gonna want me to do that distantly. Stay smart and stay away from me.”
Being smart wasn’t getting me anywhere. “No.” I tipped back the glass and let the heated wine explode down my throat.
Consequences could screw off. For now.
Chapter 27
Iawoke comfortably warm in my bed. The last thing I remembered was swigging more wine with Aiden the night before. Awareness filtered through my haze. A large male body wrapped around me from behind, hence, the warmth. One strong hand cupped my breast, spreading heat through meeverywhere.
I stretched a bit against the hardness behind me, and then froze, at thehardnessbehind me. Morning wood at its finest.
My movements awoke him. He pulled me closer, murmuring drowsily against the back of my neck, the fingers on my breast seeking and easily finding my nipple. Liquid heat shot straight south from his hand as his lips moved leisurely across my ear.
