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“I’m going to ask you to leave this room, Aiden.” I gently pushed Fred to the side and pressed my chest to Aiden’s. “Now.”
“Excuse me?”
“You have ten seconds to get out of my sight. If it weren’t for Fred, you’d be dead where you stand. Out of respect, I’m asking you to get out of this room.”
Aiden looked over at Fred but the redheaded man was staring at the carpet, his thoughts drifting him miles away.
“Sir—”
“Want me to start counting?” I practically growled.
With one last glare, Aiden spun on his heel and left.
I quietly shut the door and faced Fred, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed, head in hands.
“He’s not wrong, Vincenzo.”
“Yes, he is.” I took the few steps toward him and kneeled. “Aiden’s words were said to hurt you. Whether it be because you and I were talking alone or to make sure you know he’s all you can trust. But one thing I know is, the Manoses, Harts, Blackroses—all of them give a shit about you. It’s my job to know people, and I’m positive of this.”
He lifted his head, and the sorrow in his eyes was enough to take the air clear out of my lungs.
“I shouldn’t be vulnerable in front of you.”
I smirked. “Maybe I’m exactly who you should be vulnerable in front of.” I took his hands in mine, happy when he didn’t pull away. “Your uncle said to trust nobody and to trust your gut, so do that. No matter what, even if it means being a pissy brat to me until the end of time. You need to think about only yourself right now.”
He snorted. “I’m not a brat.”
“Oh, but you are.” I squeezed his hands. “But you know what?”
He raised a brow silently asking me what.
“I like that about you.”
Fred rolled his eyes and playfully pushed me away. “You’re messed up.”
I shrugged and stood up, Fred joining me. “Brave face, Fred. In two days’ time you’ll face off with whoever was behind this. Trust no one, remember?”
Fred nodded, his expression soft. “Even you?”
“If that’s what you need to do.”
The entire time Fred had been here, he’d shown nothing but animosity toward me. Suddenly it was as if the realization that I might be the only one being honest with him had hit home. But if it meant keeping Fred safe, I’d accept the anger and snark any day.
Something about this man had me turned inside out, and the more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to know him, protect him, and avenge him.
“I’m going to take a shower and change. I’ll be out in a little while.”
I stepped back and smiled. “Take your time.”
“Vincenzo?”
“Hmm?”
“Thanks…you know, for not being a colossal asshole.”
I chuckled. “It was difficult, but I managed.”
He grinned and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I bet. Now get out.”
