But, his death would send a message, the same as when they’d killed Ingrid.But her murder hadn’t stopped him.If anything, he’d been more driven to bring the corruption to light.No matter what happened to Ingrid or to him, once the world became aware, the investigation would continue.
All he knew was that the threat to his life felt very real, and he needed to be more careful from now on.This couldn’t last forever, and with luck, the article’s release would put an end to the danger.There was the potential for revenge once the story ran, but whoever was after him would be too busy with avoiding arrest.The police were now involved, not that they were convinced it was anything other than a speeding driver, but they would investigate.
Before he could continue to let his thoughts spin in his head, he heard the front door open and the sound of footsteps in the hall.
He strode out of the kitchen to see Brooke walking through the entryway, her leather tote slung over one shoulder, purse over the other, dragging a suitcase behind her.She paused where she stood.
Brooke had been in this house many times over the years, hanging out with him, having sleepovers with Fallon, and for family gatherings which always included her and Lizzie.
Her hesitation now surprised him.“What’s wrong?”he asked, setting his empty glass onto the foyer table.
She closed the door behind her and set her briefcase on the same table.“I just… feel weird about staying here.Like I’m intruding.”
Though he understood, he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.“Don’t be silly,” he said lightly.
Brooke narrowed her gaze.“Don’t call me silly.It’s just strange.I’m going to belivinghere.At least, temporarily.”
Aiden raised his hands up in a gesture of surrender, and Brooke’s annoyed expression faded away.
Instead, her eyes grew wide, and she rushed toward him.“Oh my God.What happened?”she asked, grabbing his wrists and staring at the white bandages.
Shit.He hadn’t been thinking about the bandages when he showed her his palms.“Nothing to worry about.I just have to leave them wrapped overnight to prevent infection,” he said, avoiding what she was really asking.
“But… whathappened?”A concerned look settled on her face, and despite the seriousness of the situation, he appreciated her worry.
A couple of weeks ago, he’d been sure she hated him, so he was grateful for any sign of her caring.He’d thought about what to tell her when she asked, had even considered lying, but he couldn’t do it.They wouldn’t make progress together if he withheld information now.He just didn’t want her to freak out when she heard.
“I was almost run down in a shopping center parking lot earlier.I dove out of the way and did a number on my palms.”
“Run down?”she asked, her voice rising.She gripped his wrists tighter and the blood rushed from her face, leaving her pale.“I can’t believe this.People are in too big a hurry sometimes.I mean, if they were going so fast they almost hit you…” She trailed off, studying his face.“Wait a minute.You don’t think someone was trying to hit you on purpose, do you?”
He didn’t know what she saw in his expression, but she knew how to read him.
He shrugged.“To be honest, I don’t know what to think.I was working on a story before I came home and there was definitely danger involved,” he hedged, holding back information.There was no reason to scare her further with the details of his article and the other incidents.She’d panic if she knew someone had actually threatened him.
And maybe he didn’t want to admit the truth out loud.
“What did the police say?”she asked, her voice trembling.
He wished he had more information there.“They retrieved security footage from one of the stores nearby and did get a plate number.I just have a feeling they won’t come up with anything.”These people were too smart.
“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
He liked how she saidwewhen it came to his situation.
“What were you doing at the shopping center, anyway?”she asked, releasing his wrists.
Aiden’s eyes shifted to the coffee table in front of the couch, where the plastic bag from the chocolate shop was sitting.“I went to buy you something.”
Brooke turned and saw the bag with the logo from the chocolate shop printed on the side.She walked over and picked up the bag.Reaching inside, she pulled out the now half-smashed box of chocolates.
“I landed on it,” he explained.
“Caramels?”she asked, reading the label on the box.“You got me chocolate caramels?”Her voice was soft, her eyes warm with appreciation.
“They’re your favorites, right?”
Brooke smiled.“If I remember correctly,youlike them too.”She opened the box and picked up one of the small, rose-shaped chocolates, popping it into her mouth and moaning at the taste.
