Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“They won’t do either,” Claude replied as he crossed his arms. “We’re not going to let them.”
Anger burned beneath my skin, filling my face and reaching down the back of my neck. The thought of those Hornets even thinking about Aisling made me want to torch them.
“We can’t let them do this,” I told them, my eyes darting between all of them. “They’ll ruin everything!”
“What’s going on?”
We all whipped around to see Aisling coming out of her room with a concerned look on her face.
“It’s nothing. Sorry we woke you,” Claude told her with a warm smile.
Aisling narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t do that. I know I said I didn’t want to be clued into everything, but I need to know everything. The baby is coming soon, and if I’m going to look after him, I need to know what may threaten him,” she stated in a firm voice.
“Aisling…” Chris started to speak.
“No! I know I’m an outsider of your world, but I’m involved in whatever situation you’re trying to hide from me. It’s not fair,” Aisling said as her eyes started to glisten. Her chest started rising and falling quicker as her eyes rapidly darted from person to person. “After all this time, don’t I deserve to be trusted with the truth? At least for the baby’s safety?”
She did deserve to know the truth, but we had all been doing research on pregnancy and the health of the baby and the mother. Stress wasn’t good for either of them, so I was going to do whatever I could to keep her relaxed.
“I’ve got this. Figure something out,” I told the others before walking over to Aisling, taking her hand and leading her back in her room.
“Bradley, tell me what’s going on!” Aisling demanded, trying to pull her hand away at first until I tightened my grip and gave her a pleading look.
I shut the door and kept the curtains shut, only allowing a small amount of sunlight in the room.
“Lie down with me,” I replied as I kicked off my shoes and took off my jacket, leaving myself in a t-shirt and jeans. I lay down in her bed and held my arm out, motioning for her to lie down.
Aisling huffed and carefully eased herself down on her side next to me.
“Tell me,” she said.
I faced her on my side, meeting her worried eyes.
“It’s fine. The Hornets are just causing trouble again, but it won’t have anything to do with you,” I told her. We wouldn’t let it have anything to do with her.
Aisling released an unsteady breath.
“Are you sure?” she asked as she rubbed her stomach protectively.
I nodded and placed my hand on her hip, pulling her closer to me until her stomach touched mine.
“I’m sure,” I replied. “You know that I’ll keep you safe no matter what, right?”
Aisling nodded as she ran her hand up my arm.
“I know. I just get scared for you guys too. I don’t want anything to happen to any of you,” she sighed. “You guys mean the world to me.”
And she meant everything to us.
“We’re not going anywhere,” I promised her. She might leave in a few months, but we weren’t going anywhere. Hopefully, she didn’t either, but that was up to her.
Aisling held my gaze for a moment before leaning forward and kissing me softly. The kiss was innocent at first, but as her lips started to move against mine, she became needier. Her hand brushed over my shaved head as our kiss deepened.
“Keep me in your arms,” she said.
I nodded and turned her over onto her other side. I pressed my chest against her back, letting my hand roam up and down her arm in a comforting motion.
“I won’t let you go,” I promised her.
Aisling was quiet for a few seconds before finally speaking.
“I’m glad we’re like this now… close. I thought you wouldn’t ever want to get close to me,” she admitted.
I frowned as my hand paused on her elbow. I couldn’t exactly blame her for thinking that way when I was trying my hardest to not get close to her. To not put myself in a position to get hurt. I failed, but I was grateful for that.
“You’re one of the best things that has ever happened to me,” I told her, feeling her tense in surprise. I brushed her hair behind her ear before leaning closer. “You’re not on the outside of our world. You’ve become a huge part of it.”
Aisling slowly turned around to face me, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Really?” she asked, sounding choked up.
I smiled a little and nodded, resting my hand on her warm cheek.
“We just need you to trust us. Your safety and the baby’s safety are our top priorities. No matter what, everything is going to be okay,” I promised her, not wanting her to fear a thing. Not when she had all of us around to protect her.