Darren recognized the seething anger and pain in Aiden’s eyes, aimed both internally and at him. The plea for help was not just a request, it was Aiden accepting a side. Making a choice that wasn’t really a choice anymore at this point. But it had been, earlier when Aiden had still had the option to pick Marcus’ side. Yesterday too, when he could’ve just told Marcus about the hideout. Yet he hadn’t. Couldn’t even, because that was the kind of man Aiden Kesley was. Tortured, desperate, carrying as much darkness as Darren did, but also a fighter who, deep down, wanted the same thing as Darren.
To move on and find his place in the world again.
“He will hunt you down,” Darren warned, meeting Aiden’s gaze. The hazel engulfed him, still just a thin rim around blown-out pupils, but also just as captivating as ever.
“I’ll manage.”
“No, you won’t. He will find you and he will torture the answers out of you.”Just like he’d tried to torture them out of Darren for months.Except that the torture wouldn’t stop at the physical level when Aiden was someone who was expendable. “And he won’t ever stop. He will keep going unless someone stands up to him.”
Aiden’s jaw flexed, lines forming across his forehead. Darren wanted to smooth them out, wanted to tell Aiden everything would be fine, but he couldn’t. Aiden didn’t need more lies.
Aiden’s gaze focused on the wall as he seemed to digest the words and Darren waited, holding his breath. His entire body vibrated, both from Aiden’s proximity andthe weight of this moment, goosebumps erupting all over him when Aiden closed his eyes and let out a deep exhale.
“I’ll do it, Darren Howe. I will assist you in reinstating the Valrais. And if we’re not dead by then, I will kill you myself once the heir has his throne back.”
Darren’s chest suddenly felt too small for his racing heart. He smiled because he couldn’t hold it back and that seemed to surprise Aiden, making his eyes go wide.
This unlikely alliance was good enough. It was more than Darren had hoped for, beyond his best-case scenario even. He should’ve been the one asking for Aiden’s help, trying to convince him to choose Sara’s side over Marcus. But the choice had been made, with or without his help, and maybe as early as that night when Aiden had given up on his revenge so he could go on a treasure hunt mission to an abandoned asteroid.
“Do you have a first aid kit?” Darren said when he couldn’t think of anything else, pointing at the bullet wound.
“It’s not deep. I’m fine. We need to find a way off the station,” Aiden protested, trying to shake him off.
Darren knew it was probably a longshot, but he asked anyway, “When is the next shuttle?”
“Four hours, give or take,” Aiden huffed out over a squirm as he rolled his shoulder. It was the same one that had looked stiff all morning and it clearly bugged him more than the gunshot.
“Doesn’t look like we have that kind of time.”
“We don’t. I… ki—” Aiden cut himself off, taking a sharp breath. “I killed Marcus’ men. We have one hour, two at most, if we are lucky. And… I don’t think it’s a good idea to use my phone or laptop. They are probably being monitored.”
Inching in closer, Darren yanked Aiden’s hand away from the shoulder. He resisted, but gave up with a whimper when Darren pressed on the bump just under his shoulder blade.
“Fuck, Howe! We don’t have time for this!”
Relief flooded Darren. It wasn’t dislocated or broken. Not with a bump like this.
“Kesley, when did it start hurting?” He felt around the spot on a hunch. He didn’t know what he was looking for exactly, but he knew he would recognize it if it was there.
“Huh?”
“Your shoulder. When did it start hurting?” he repeated, turning Aiden around so he had easier access to the area.
“I told you it’s nothing. One of Marcus’ men kicked me,” Aiden said, wincing when Darren pressed on the bump.
“You were stiff all morning.”
Aiden grumbled, most likely realizing that Nyle hadn’t been the only one to notice. “This morning,” he said gingerly. “I must’ve hit something when I passed out last night.”
Concern twisted Darren’s stomach. He paused, catching Aiden’s sideways glance. “You don’t remember?”
The disapproving look turned into a glare. “Do we have to do this right this moment?”
“You said the goons knew more than they should have. I’m trying to figure out how if you swept the office.”
Aiden tried to slip out of his hold again, but Darren didn’t let him. “I don’t know! You are the only person I spoke to about her. Plus…”
“Plus?”
