Page 105 of The Rebel Billionaire

"They think he's alive?" The relief in Aiden's voice was so sharp it hurt to hear. It killed me to pullhimback.

"They intercepted some communications that indicated he was being held. That's all they know. But they haven't heard anything that suggests he isn't still alive. That's no guarantee he's coming home. You know that,right?"

"Yeah," Aiden said, his voice husky. "But for now, they're pretty sure he'salive?"

"For now," I agreed. "Based on what I could find out, if anyone can get free and make his way home, it's yourbrother."

"Yeah. Thanks. I appreciate your lookingintothis."

I wanted to ask how Charlie was. Why, I don't know. It would be pouring salt in an open wound, and Aiden would cut me to pieces for daring to sayhername.

I couldn't helpmyself.

"IsCharlie—"

Aiden cut me off. "Stay away from Charlie," he said in a hard voice. "I can guess why you walked, Jackson. I'm even a little sympathetic, considering that I was the last man to fuck up her life because I was sure I knew better than she did about what she needed. She deserves more than a guy she can't depend on. She's had enough of those. You can stop worrying about her. Her family will watchherback."

He hung up. I sat on the edge of the hotel bed, staring at the screen of my phone with blind eyes. That's what Evers was getting at. Aiden had fired her because he thought he knew what was best. And in that case, he had. It didn't make his actions right. He'd taken her choice away. He'd treated her like achild.

Then I'd turned around and done the samething.

I loved her for her intelligence, her strength of spirit. Hercourage.

Iwas the one who waslacking.

She knew who I was, where I came from. I'd told her. When she was challenged at the benefit, she hadn't hesitated for a second. She could've made an excuse or pretended Elizabeth's insults wereajoke.

Instead, Charlie had looked Elizabeth right in the eye and said she was proud to be bymyside.

Who was I to tell a woman like her that she couldn't choose who she wanted? If I loved her, really loved her, I'd trust her to make her owndecisions.

I fell back on the bed, my head bouncing on the firm mattress, and let out agroan.

I was a fuckingidiot.

A stupid fucking idiot. I'd walked away from the only woman I'd ever loved. I'd treated her likeafool.

I'd hurt her. Hurt Charlie. A memory of her shattered eyes when I left flashed throughmymind.

Fuck. Of all the challenges I'd overcome in my life, all the battles I'd fought, none had ever been as important as the one that wascoming.

I had to get Charlie back. No matter what, I had to convince her to give me anotherchance.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

CHARLIE

Istayedwith Aiden for almost a week. Winters House was familiar. Comforting. And once Aunt Amelia and Sophie moved in,crowded.

It was nearly impossible to be crowded in a house that size, but I felt like crap and I didn't wantcompany.

I adored my Aunt Amelia. She was hysterical and a troublemaker. As Maggie and I had hoped when we hired her, Sophie was the perfect counterpoint. Her quiet, shy nature hid a strong will. She had a dry sense of humor that let her appreciate Aunt Amelia, but her backbone meant she wouldn't getsteamrolled.Much.

Aunt Amelia could steamroll anyone, even Aiden sometimes. I was glad my brother had company in the house again. It made it easier to pack my duffel bag back up andcomehome.

Home. My decrepit house in the Highlands wasn't so decrepit anymore. The floors still needed to be refinished, and I hadn't stripped all of the paint from the trim on the first floor, but I was gettingthere.

My kitchen was in, and it was spectacular. The bright white cabinets and marble countertops were perfect. The appliances had been hooked up while I was at Winters House and I stopped at the grocery store on my drive home to buy actual groceries for my real-life, full-sizerefrigerator.