Aidenâs pov Sophie rushes over to me, cupping my face in her hands as she inspects. me for injuries.
I didnât want her to see me like this.
I thought I would be able to sneak back into bed without waking her up.
I wrapped my hands around her wrists. âItâs not my blood baby.â I reassured her again.
âI woke up without you by my side. I was so scared Aiden.â Her eyes blurred. âWhat did you do? Whoâs blood is this? Please tell me you didnât.â
She shook her head, her voice cracking.
I gripped around her wrists more firmly. âShh shh. Iâm sorry. Donât cry. Please donât-
My heart clenched painfully when she starts to sob, tears streaming down her cheeks like a river.
I hated when Iâm the cause of those tears.
I want to slam my head on a damn brick for causing them yet again. I promised that I would be the last to ever make her cry. And if I did, those tears would be happy trails on her cheeks.
But it had only been a few hours and I have failed to hold up my end of my promise.
I âWhat did you do Aiden? When your dad came to check up on me, knew something was off. I was going to call you but he said it wouldnât be flicker of anger. She moved her hands off my face only to land her palm on my chest.
âSee Aiden? This is why I told you to not take justice into your own hands! Look at what happened! What if you were in Tenneyâs place!? Huh?â She pushed at my chest, her voice cracking painfully.
I flinched but reached out for her and grabbed her hands. The fear poured out of her pores like a stench that made me feel awful.
Fuck Making her scared was the last thing I wanted to do.
Hell.
It was the opposite I wanted to do.
I thought that everything would work out the way I wanted. I had everything set.
Tenney was one of the best in his field. I took the best.
I didnât understand how they caught on to him. But I canât think about that now. Itâs not like I could retrace my steps and see what we did wrong. He was already gone.
There was nothing I could do to bring him back to his family.
I gripped around Sophieâs wrists, pulling her closer to me. She tries to push me away again, crying hysterically.
âI could have lost you tonight Aiden. Do you not think when making decisions on your own!?â She sobbed,now gripping my shirt in her hands tightly.
My heart breaks and my throat aches.
Fuck. I did this to her.
âI know Iâm sorry. Iâm sorry Soph. Shit.â I comforted her, lifting one of her hands to my face. âLook. Iâm not dead. See? Iâm still here. Standing before you. Iâm okay. Iâm okay. Shhh baby.â I lift my hand to wipe under her eyes.
She shakes her head. âAre you even okay Aiden? Are we okay? The Muraloâs have gone far. Weâre surrounded by them and Sergio. I donât see a way out of this.â She sobs, her eyes red from crying.
I donât like when sheâs crying.
I fucking hate it.
âTrust me Soph.â
She wrenches away. âTrust you Aiden? Look at what you did tonight. How can I trust that you wonât put yourself in harms way for the sake of me again? I lost you once, I donât want to lose you again.â
I swallowed, reaching for her again.
I need her tonight. And though she had every right to be angry with me, I didnât think I could take it. I want her warmth tonight after the shit that just happened.
âYou wonât Soph. God. Soph. I canât stand it when youâre angry with me. I made a mistake tonight. One that cost someone their life. I need you tonight. Tomorrow you can be angry with me all you want. But tonight. I need you to not be so angry with me Soph. I need to hold you tonight.â I begged, my voice cracking with emotion.
After I showered I entered the room. Soph was already in bed, her back facing me. I crawled in behind her, pressing close to her and holding her to me.
She turns around, her fisted hands pressing to my chest. âI donât want to lose you Aiden. But I feel you slipping through my fingers. When will they stop? What about Ash? Iâm supposed to bring him to daycare tomorrow. I canât do that if thereâs a threat around us.
I sighed and held her closer. âYou wonât lose me Sophie. I canât answer those other questions you asked baby. But I do know Iâll do everything I can to protect you and Ashton.â
The next morning we got the news that Sergio was found dead in his home. The culprit.
Lillian Muralo.