Page 45 of Brutal Truths

We make our way down the stairs and into the open, gaining speed moments later. He’s running, yet I feel completely safe. I know he won’t drop me or fall. He’s more than capable of getting us to our destination without incident.

A door creaks open, and we slip into the back of a truck. An overhead light clicks on, and Aiden growls when he gets a clearer look at my face.

The sheer intensity of his rage is a physical presence. He’s beyond angry. I’m almost afraid to look, but I do because I need to. The unspoken truth in his eyes is more than I can unwrap right now.

A door slams, and I freeze. Then breathe through it, refusing to let my attacker win, to let my fear dampen my spirit.

I force a smile, and Aiden’s stern expression melts away. “You came for me?”

“I’d burn down the world for you, princess.” Very carefully, he brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “You’re safe now.”

I nod and lay my hand on his arm. “Whenever I’m with you, I know I’m safe.”

Bringing my hand to his lips, he kisses it. A comforting warmth travels up my arm, reinforcing my faith in him.

“Rurik,” I whisper as my eyes close. “The man who took me. His name is Rurik.”

“Did you get that, Pauly?” Aiden grunts, his voice once again full of rage and something else.

I swear I hear him mutter under his breath a vow of vengeance on the man who dared to put the woman he loves in danger. How his death won’t be quick, not after what he’s done.

Is it wrong to hope I’m there when he carries that promise out?

Maybe, but I don’t care. Now if I can wrap my head around the other part, the one about me being the woman he loves.

Chapter 13

Aiden

It’s been eleven days since rescuing Isabel from that nightmare. Standing at the window, I stare out at the gray stretch of morning light over the empty shoreline. The low crash of waves is the only sound in the room.

Her injuries, what she went through, are burned into my memory. Every mark. Every bruise.

I’ve seen violence, lived it during my military days. Things most men wouldn’t walk away from, but none of it sits like this. Not when it’s someone you love; that hits you differently.

I rub the back of my neck, trying to shake off those images so I can concentrate.

We’re off grid. Exactly where we need to be. No one knows where we are. Not Trent. Not Silas. Not even Darius Falcon. My men are here, but we ditched Marty, Ryan, and Zander immediately after.

Zander was the easiest to cut loose. One look at Isabel and he didn’t even make me say it. Taking her to Trent’s wasn’t an option. Once we picked up Pauly and Teddy, he volunteered to get the hell out of there.

Teddy took my Jag and dropped him off fifteen miles from where it all went down. Zander spun a story about me ditching him. Something wild enough Trent would believe it. The road rash helped sell it—a reminder of the stunt he pulled jumping from the speeding Jag that left him hurt but breathing.

Marty and Ryan were a different story. They argued that ensuring Isabel’s safety was their job. That’s when I lost my shit, pointed at the woman out cold in the backseat of Lane’s truck, then fired them.

Fury twisted their faces as they unsheathed their weapons. The glint of steel reflecting the anger in their eyes as they demanded I back away from the princess because they were taking over.

Like hell they were.

There was no way I was letting them take over. Clueless about my true identity, I can’t blame them. To them, I’m the dangerous force they swore to protect her from. Even if they’d done their research, it would’ve led them back to the man they believe I am. My cover is that solid.

I stared down the barrels of their guns, daring them to pull the triggers, while I laughed like a madman. And when they didn’t act fast enough, I moved. Disarmed them, the weapons clattering to the ground, before knocking them on their arses with a couple of well-aimed blows. The impact of them hitting the ground was a satisfying thud.

It wasn’t really fair, both men were in rough shape from when they got jumped. Didn’t matter. I wasn’t letting them come with us. I didn’t trust Ryan, and after what happened with Marty’s twin, I wasn’t taking chances. Not with her.

The boys helped me tie them up and leave them on the side of the road. Not my cleanest move, but it got the job done. Twenty minutes out, I called Darius. Told him to have Isaac collect his men. Men who never should’ve been responsible for Isabel in the first place. I ended the call before he could ask questions.

We’ve been on radio silence ever since.