or more like he orders. I’ve never seen this side of Cole before.
“Adam said that…” She licks her dry lips. “He was the one who pushed Elsa in the pool.”
My eyes widen.
“He did, huh?” Aiden’s eyes almost turn black. Not sure if he’s surprised or merely calculating.
“Go on,” Cole urges. “Tell them why he did it.”
“He said he did it to get in my good graces, okay?” She meets my gaze. “I swear I had nothing to do with it. I only just found out myself. If I knew, I would’ve told you.”
I don’t know why, but I believe her.
Silver is malicious, but she’s not a criminal.
“But you knew Adam’s intentions,” Cole says with a neutral voice. “And apparently, you knew about them for a long time.”
“Cole —”
“Not a word.”
“Cole —”
“Go wait in the car.”
She throws her hands in the air and blows out a frustrated breath. “Come here, Silver. Go there, Silver. What do you think I am? Your fucking toy?”
He doesn’t move at her outburst and simply repeats. “Go wait in the car.”
She flips him off and storms towards the entrance then stops, meets my gaze and whispers, “I’m sorry.”
As soon as the door closes behind her, Cole fixates Aiden. “Let’s meet later.”
“I’ll get in touch.”
Cole nods once. “And Elsa?”
“Yeah?” I’m still too stunned by the revelation.
“She only learned this information yesterday. Don’t beat her up again.”
I wince at the reminder.
“Says the guy who watched while she was beaten to a pulp,” Aiden scoffs.
“She brought it on herself that time.” He smiles at me and strides out of the Meet Up.
A long breath heaves out of me. “I can’t believe Adam was the one who did it.”
“That daft fucker actually plotted something.” Aiden tilts his head, seeming deep in thought. That head of his must be filled with endless methods to inflict suffering and pain.
“How do you know he plotted it?”
“No one went into the pool after Van Doren. For some time, I thought maybe he was the one who pushed you. Now, I’m sure that Adam has been in the pool, and when you showed up, he seized the chance.”
“But Knox didn’t see him.”
“He must’ve hid somewhere. Under the stairs or in the lockers. There are no cameras there.”
Makes sense.
For a moment, we remain silent. I’m trying to soak up what happened and Aiden is probably plotting something sadistic.
After a while, I realise that with Cole and Silver gone, it’s only the two of us here.
I peek at him through my eyelashes. I expect him to be deep in thought, and he is, it’s just that his entire attention is zeroed in on me.
“What happens now?” I ask.
A wolfish smile tilts his lips. “Now is our time. We’ll do whatever you want.”
“What if I want to go home?”
“Then I’ll take you home.”
I eye him suspiciously. “Really?”
He grabs me by the arm and tugs. I land against his chest, arm wrapped around his midsection.
“Later. I’ll drive you home later.”
“Aiden!” I start to get up.
“Stay,” he murmurs, eyes closing. “Just for a moment.”
Protests are about to spill free from my mouth, but I say nothing. My ear lands against his calming heartbeat and I do as he asks.
I stay.
19
Elsa
I didn’t mean to, but I must’ve fallen asleep.
When I open my eyes, a very familiar scent prickles my nostrils. All masculine and powerful and… hypnotising.
A spark races down my spine and worms its way into my heart. That faulty heart. That messed up, stupid heart.
I’m sprawled all over Aiden’s chest. The softness of my breasts mould with his muscles, all taut and hard. Even my legs are intertwined with his like it’s the most natural thing to do. Like this is where I always belonged, and it’s blasphemy to go anywhere else.
I stir, but I don’t change position.
It feels too good to move. His warm skin against mine, the flutter of his breath at the top of my scalp. The cocoon of his strong arms.
After what I learnt about Adam, I’m not in the mood to think about the outside world.
Being here feels right.
It brings back memories from a long time ago when it was only him and I in that basement. When I laid my head on his shoulder and pretended we were in a different place.
His fingers tangle into my hair, massaging my scalp, and awakening tingles at the bottom of my stomach. The touch is so gentle, I’m tempted to close my eyes and go back to sleep.
My self-preservation is the only thing that stops me. Being