“All you need,” Willow echoes quietly. “All you need to show the Assembly as justification for what you did. And this time, he can’t manipulate it. This time, he can’t manipulate me. This time, there’s only the truth.”
CHAPTER37
Rose
I stand with Aiden in the driveway of Dmitri’s house, the other O’Reillys trailing out behind us. The sky is overcast, which seems to suit the events of the day. There aren’t any cars passing us, just a thin two-lane road curving around the property.
“I think it’s time to go home,” Lachlan says. He looks out over the front lawn, his dark hair ruffled in the wind.
There’s something in his eyes when he looks at Aiden. It’s a reminder, I think—a reminder that there isn’t much time before they have to face consequences.
Maybe it’s also a reminder to stay safe.
There’s a coiling guilt in my gut. I know none of this was my fault, but I can’t help feeling like I was the one who made Aiden and his brothers choose. I was the one that forced them into this corner.
It’s stupid. I know it’s all Dmitri’s fault. He chose me for some bizarre reason, and he chased me to get back at Aiden. None of this was my fault. But I still feel a little uneasy about being the reason why Aiden and his brothers risked everything.
They could lose it all.
I turn to Aiden, some confession on my tongue. I’m not sure what I want to tell him—maybe that I’m sorry, maybe that I never meant to be the reason he risked his family and life.
Aiden looks down at me. His hand hasn’t left my back since he found me. He has me pulled close to him, prepared to guard against anything we might face.
“Let’s go home,” he says.
I blink, surprised by the tears that threaten to sting my eyes. Suddenly, going home sounds perfect.
“Okay.”
Aiden guides me to his car and I watch the other brothers go to Lachlan’s. I wonder what they’re murmuring about. and if Jamie is okay. I wonder what they’re going to do about Dmitri and his house.
Aiden starts to drive, and I sit in the passenger seat as silence fills the car. I manage to hold myself in for a few moments, but it doesn’t last long.
“I’m sorry,” I finally blurt.
Aiden glances at me, his brow furrowed. “What for? Rose—”
“I wish you didn’t have to do this. You risked everything.”
“It was worth it,” he says, his voice fierce. His hand squeezes mine tightly. “I’d do it again.”
I can feel something like liquid fire pouring through my veins, heating my heart. The words soothe some part of me, but worry still beats at my chest.
“Aiden… this could change everything. You could lose everything, your place at the Assembly—”
“None of that is worth anything if I don’t have you,” he says slowly, every word heavy with truth. “I can’t live a life that means anything if you aren’t at my side.”
I swallow hard and let the rest of the words die before they can reach my lips. I shut my eyes and try to focus on the feeling of his hand in mine.
I love him. I love Aiden, and I feel terrible that this had to happen. But I can’t help the pure joy and relief that he loves me too, loves me enough to risk everything to keep me safe. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so secure in my life.
“I wish you didn’t have to kill a man for me,” I say quietly.
Aiden doesn’t speak for a long moment. I almost think he won’t say anything.
“He was a monster, Rose. I would have killed him either way. He left me no choice.”
“I know.”
