“My gratitude still stands. Ethan deserves a daughter like you.”

And then he’s out of the door.

“Ethan deserves a daughter like you,” I repeat with mockery. “Can you believe that shady man?”

“I can, actually.” Aiden strokes my hair back like he can’t stop touching me, a small smile lifting his lips.

“Hey, what do you keep smiling about?”

“Well, Agnus was certain you’d tell Ethan the truth because you’re righteous like your father. He was actually wrapping up things at the company. I told him you wouldn’t.”

“How could you be so sure?” Even I wasn’t until earlier.

“Because you love your father, and you’re the type who sacrifices for those they love. You know how much Ethan suffered by losing his family and that it would destroy him to lose his best friend of thirty-four years. Even though you don’t agree with what Agnus did, you understand why he did it and you know he’ll never hurt him. Deep down, you’re comfortable that there’s someone like Agnus protecting your father.”

I groan. “How the hell do you know me so well?”

“I stalk you on Instagram.” He winks.

I can’t help but chuckle. The sound soon turns into a cough.

“Hey, take it easy.” He strokes my cheek, his thumb caressing my lips. “If you give me such a fright one more time, I swear —”

Lifting my head, I close the distance between us and seal my mouth to his. I was dead for a moment, but he brought me back to life.

I can only feel alive if he’s touching me.

If he’s saying my name and calling me back to life. If he’s telling me things —

What I feel for you isn’t only love, obsession, or addiction. It’s all of those and more.

I pull back from his lips with a jolt. “Did you… Did you by any chance tell me you love me while I was feverish?”

A gleam sparks in his eyes. “Maybe.”

“Aiden! That’s not fair. You’re supposed to tell me that while I’m conscious.”

“Hmm. Like now?”

I nod frantically. “Yes, totally like now.”

“Hmm. I’m not really feeling it, but we can fix that if you bring me back to the right mood.”

“Aiden!”

“What? This is your punishment.”

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

As if possible, the spark in his eye ignites further. “What did you have in mind, sweetheart?”

“Guess you have to wait until I’m out of the hospital.”

He smirks. “Sneaky.”

“I learnt from the best.”

His lips come back to mine and I breathe him in. The hospital smell fades in comparison to his scent and his warmth.

My fingers thread in his jet black hair and I let him ravage me. I let him show me just how much I mean to him.

Aiden and I aren’t the darkness and the light. We both have tarnished minds and souls.

But we’re not soulmates.

We’re lost souls that fit in perfectly imperfect harmony.

And I’ll do everything I can to protect what we have.

“Wait,” I say against his mouth. “What were you and Agnus talking about earlier?”

“We’re planning something. It’s going to be fun.”

Aiden and Agnus are planning something.

What on earth could two psychopaths consider ‘fun’?

40

Elsa

I spend a few days at the hospital.

The sheer number of tests exhaust me and I can’t even complain.

Dad and Aunt stand next to me like grim reapers, not allowing me to say anything.

Turns out Aiden is a lot worse than them when it comes to my health.

He’s been there for every test, wheeling me from one department to the other. When I told him I could walk, he ignored me and continued his path.

At night, though, he’d sneak inside my room, spread my legs, and eat me for dinner. He said I’m too weak to be fucked, but he can still relax me with his tongue.

Relax me. As if.

I had to cover my face with the pillow so Dad and Aunt don’t hear my moans of pleasure from the other side of the room.

Aiden is a sex God. He doesn’t have to stimulate me for long and I’m soon screaming his name.

His dislocated shoulder has been healed. Since they removed the sling, he doesn’t allow anyone else to touch me. Not even the nurses.

One of them told me he has it bad, and I kind of agree.

I never thought I would like this side of Aiden, but I do. My chest flutters at witnessing his care and concern for me. It makes me feel special and loved.

This is Aiden after all. He never shows this side to anyone, not even his family.

When Levi and Astrid visited me yesterday, they kept asking me what type of voodoo spell I used.

Everyone else came by as well. Knox and Teal were waiting outside that first day I woke up and spent the night.

Today, they’re here again with the three horsemen and Kim.

Aiden lurks in the corner, cutting an apple for me, his face calm. However, the darkness beneath the surface radiates off him in waves. I can feel it without looking at him.

I know exactly why his demons are contemplating to come out and play.

Aiden is possessive — like over the top. He’s not so pleased that Ronan, Xander, and Knox are sitting on the bed, surrounding me, laughing and jesting about mundane things.

If it were up to Aiden, they’d all be thrown out — except for Kim and Teal. Actually, even the girls are debatable.

However, since he knows I’m happy about their company, he’s trying to control that side of him.

Thus far, he’s succeeding.

I act oblivious as I listen to Knox tell me about their last game and his ‘heroic’ performance.

“I’m telling you, Ellie.” Knox points at himself. “I’m Elites new ace striker.”

“Sorry, mate.” Xander grins, showcasing his charming dimples. “That position is already taken by me.”

“Screw both of you.” Ronan physically shoves them out of the way and takes my hand in his. “Do you know how worried I was, Ellie? I didn’t throw a party for an entire week.”

“Some commitment from the devil,” Teal mutters from her seat next to Cole.

They’re the only calm people in this place.

Teal’s T-shirt for the day reads, I’d agree with you, but we’d both be wrong.

Ronan doesn’t pay her attention and continues in his overly dramatic speech. “Bah alors, Ellie. You can’t get hurt when we’re going to get married.”

“Do you want to meet your maker, Astor?” Aiden’s sombre tone shoots towards us like sharp knives.

I suppress a smile with the back of my hand.

Ronan cocks his head as if deep in thoughts. “No?”

He leans over and takes both mine and Kim’s hands in his. “Seriously, though. I’ve been praying you survive and King doesn’t so we can have that threesome we agreed about.”

“I heard that,” Aiden says from above him.

“Remove your fucking hand.” Xander’s lighthearted mood vanishes as he glares at Ronan.