“Just don’t go.”

“I have to or he’ll come here.”

“Oh.”

The resemblance of happiness from earlier withers away.

Obviously, Jonathan King holds a grudge against me — or my father. Aiden is his son. When it comes to choosing, he’ll be on his father’s side and I’ll only get hurt.

Aiden strides to my side with purposeful, confident steps.

He places two fingers under my jaw and forces me to face him.

“I told you I’ll protect you from everyone.” He leans over and drops a peck on my cheek. “That includes Jonathan.”

My breath hitches as he pulls away.

Did he just say what I think he said?

I think Aiden said he’ll go against Jonathan for me. But that can’t be true, right? Something must be wrong with my ears.

“Repeat that,” I breathe.

“I’m not your enemy, sweetheart.” He glides his thumb on my lower lip. “Don’t make me into one.”

“Don’t make you into one?”

“As long as you don’t put anyone before me, I won’t put anyone before you.”

Chaos invades my mind as I reel from the weight of his words.

He retrieves his phone. “Your uncle and aunt called me several times. I didn’t pick up.”

I wince, thinking about how I left the house. According to the clock, it’s close to the afternoon.

They must be running a search party now.

“Can I use your —” I cut off when he hands me his phone without second thoughts.

I smile. He can be so attuned to my needs that it becomes scary sometimes.

He even has it on the chat tab with Uncle. I type.

Aiden: This is Elsa, Uncle. I’m fine. Please stop looking for me. I’ll come back tomorrow.

With one last breath, I hit send.

Uncle and Aunt might have hidden the truth from me, but that doesn’t erase how they raised me for the past ten years. They’ve been my anchors and my rocks.

I might not be ready to forgive Aunt just yet, but I won’t completely cut them off from my life.

Uncle sends a text almost immediately.

Jaxon Quinn: We understand, pumpkin. Stay safe, okay?

My eyes fill with tears, but I exit the text, hitting the home screen. The wallpaper makes my mouth hang open.

Our first kiss in Ronan’s party.

I stare at Aiden with bafflement. “Why do you have this as the wallpaper?”

“Because.”

“I’ll change it for you.”

He snatches the phone from between my fingers and tucks it in his pocket with a scowl. It’s as if I just offended him. “Absolutely not.”

“Is it that important to you?”

“It was the day I decided you’ll be mine till the day I die.”

For a moment, just a second, I wonder what it would feel like to be with Aiden forever.

Forever.

That’s a scary thought.

“When was the moment you decided I’m yours?” His question pulls me out of my stupor.

“There was no such moment.”

“Hmm. I think you’re lying, sweetheart. I think your moment was when you attacked Silver in front of the doctor’s office.”

My face heats. “No, it wasn’t.”

“Your exact words were: stay away from Aiden. You were ready to murder her.”

I purse my lips. Why does he have to remember everything?

He pulls my cheek. “You’re so fucking adorable when you pout.”

I push his hand away. “Aren’t you supposed to go somewhere?”

He chuckles, the sound easy. “I won’t be long. Knight, Astor, and Reed will come over shortly.”

How does he know I don’t want to be alone right now?

“How about Cole?”

“Not him.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” He runs his knuckles over my cheeks. “Be good.”

“I’m always good.”

He huffs. Aiden actually huffs before he turns towards the door.

“Aiden?” I call with a lump in my throat.

“Hmm, sweetheart?” He glances at me over his shoulder.

“Come back, okay?”

A genuine heart-stopping smile lifts his lips. “I’ll always come back for you, sweetheart. You’re a queen, not a pawn.”

Then he’s out of the door, leaving me to pick my heart up off the floor.

Did he just call me his queen?

I caress the place where my heart lies.

Easy there, heart. Don’t go crazy just yet.

Too late.

I’m about ready to jump the bed and punch the stars.

I head to the bathroom with a huge smile plastered on my face.

After taking a shower, I find a denim dress and a sweater beside the shelves. On the clothes, there’s a note in Aiden’s neat handwriting.

They’re Astrid’s. She and Lev always leave shit around. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.

I laugh to myself as I put on the clothes. According to Aiden, no one would mind if the result plays in his favour.

Once I’m done dressing, I take the stairs to the kitchen and I’m surprised to find soup and two types of salad.

Another note from Aiden sits in between.

Eat so I can eat you later.

God. The shit Aiden says will be the death of me.

My stomach growls at the appetising scent of food. I sit down and eat the soup in record time then I pick on the salad until I’m full.

It’s still raining outside. The water forms rivulets down the lounge area’s windows.

Rain is beautiful.

Dad used to take me running in the rain.

Wait. How do I know that?

A knock sounds at the door, and I startle from my daydream.

I push the hazy memory away and stagger to my feet. As soon as I open the door, I’m attacked by a hug from Kim.

“Where were you today? I missed the hell out of you. I’m officially not going to college without you.”

“Hey, Kim,” I smile in her neck before pulling away.

“Brought chips.” Ronan motions at his bag.

Xander shakes his head. “More like he stole them from Margo.”

“La ferme, Knight. No chips for you.” Ronan pushes him and Kim aside to clasp me in a bear hug. “How’s my second favourite girl?”

“Second favourite?” I nudge him in the stomach.

“Sorry, Ellie. Kimmy came first in my heart.”

Both Kim and I laugh as I wrap my arms around him, feeling about ready to cry again.

I didn’t realise how much I needed their friendship until now.

I know the horsemen aren’t the type to offer their support, so the fact that they showed up for me makes me grateful.

Ronan is known as a player, not a friend. A hug from him isn’t to be taken for granted.

“King is here!” Xander shouts and Ronan jerks back from me.

Xander burst out laughing.

Ronan hits him upside the head and drags him to the lounge area with a laughing Kim following after them.

I laugh, too, closing the door. I stop when another one comes inside.

“Hey, Elsa,” Cole gives me his welcoming smile.

“Oh, Cole.” Didn’t Aiden say he won’t be coming?

“You seem surprised to see me.”