Cody rarely complimented people and to hear him admire Aria, flamed Reece’s pride. He’d fallen in love with an angel. “Thanks, bro. Any idea how long he’d stay in prison this time around?”
“Papa says Jay’s probably going in for life. Kidnap and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm are just two of the charges he faces. Papa hired one of the country’s best criminal attorneys to represent Aria. Jay may not see the other side of the prison walls for a very long time. Considering his injuries, I doubt the man would want to come out.”
“I hope he rots to death in there.” Reece grimaced. “Now, I need to go check on Aria. Wanna join me?”
The other two nodded then followed Reece to the elevator. Excitement stirred his veins.
Chapter Thirty
Aria opened her eyesand surveyed her surroundings. Gone were the gray walls of her prison cell, replaced now by a shade of pleasant lime green. The soft beep of the monitor caught her attention. She was in a hospital.Thank God. Leila had kept her promise. She shifted to sit, and the sudden pain in her side reminded her of the knife wound. With slow, cautious movements, she pulled herself up and sat. Her gaze landed on a single sofa in the corner of the room. The warm sight of its occupants brought tears to her eyes. Every cell in her body burst with vital energy. God, she’d missed them.
His head against the backrest, eyes closed and Prisha cuddled in his arms, both Reece and her daughter appeared peaceful in sleep. Aria swallowed to curb her tears. She ran a loving gaze over his features. The two-day-old scruff, the only indication he hadn’t given much care about his usually clean-shaven appearance. Dark smudges beneath his thick lashes suggested he hadn’t slept much. The urge to console him blossomed. Breathlessly, she stared as realization struck. She loved him.
Love?Yes. Love had finally arrived. Bold and beautiful. The desire to scream out her discovery threatened. God, how unexpected. Jay’s criminal actions opened her heart and mind to Reece’s love. She recalled his promise to break through the barrier she’d created against love and a relationship. A feat Reece had effortlessly managed just by being his gentle, mischief self.
Sliding the covers off, she slipped her legs over the side of the bed and stood. A simmering pain made her pause for a second. She took another few slow steps and stopped beside Reece. Careful not to wake either of them, she leaned down and placed a soft kiss to his lips. He groaned but slept.
“I love you,” she whispered in his ear. Smiling, Aria rotated slowly to walk away. The tug on her hand made her stop and turn back.
“Hi.” Reece’s lips widened in a slow smile. The charm in his blue gaze the serenity she missed so much. “I love you too.”
Slowly, he stood and settled Prisha on the seat. Despite the movement, the child didn’t wake. He turned. “She’s tired, but she wanted to be here when you woke.” After a glance at Prisha, he carefully put his arms around Aria in an affectionate hug. When he leaned back, he raked a slow gaze over her face. “God, I missed you.”
Before she responded, he dropped his head and kissed her—a gentle kiss that conveyed a wealth of emotion. The same despair of not knowing if she’d see him again tightened her tummy. When he finally lifted his head, the smile he gave her, melted her insides.
“I missed you too.”
“I’m sorry, babe.”
She shook her head in confusion. “Sorry?”
“For letting Jay take you. For not saving you from—”
“Shh.” She placed a finger on his lips. “You don’t have to apologize for anything. It was bound to happen, and I should’ve been more prepared.” Aria inhaled deeply. “Reece, you came into my life with everything I needed to remind me to live, to enjoy. Only I didn’t. I was too focused on the past, on the hurt. I gave you flack, but you deserved better. And here you are, by my side with my daughter, safe and sound. If anything, I’m sorry. I should’ve given in to you sooner. Okay?”
He nodded, then gently scooped her up into his arms, walked across the room, and laid her down on the bed. “You need to rest.”
