Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Nope. Tonight’s for romance. For you and Tessa. We’ll meet tomorrow and go over all the details.”
He frowned but didn’t argue. “That’s fair.”
A knock on the door had us both jumping.
“It must be the food. I’ll get it.” I was careful not to step on any of the rose petals as I reached the door and opened it, stopping cold. “Aiden.”
“Hi, Angel,” he said, his eyes dark.
I grabbed him and pulled him inside, bringing him in for a hug. “Stay off the rose petals.”
He hugged me back, enfolding me in that way he had. Then he looked down. “All right.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t until I saw my truck in the parking area.” He released me.
Interesting. I rubbed my palm across his whiskered jaw. It had obviously been a few days since he’d shaved. “Why were you driving around the lake?” I looked up and noted him staring over my head at Nick. I slowly turned. “What’s going on?”
“Basanelli, you need to come with me,” Aiden said.
Nick drew up. “What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.”
“You can come nicely for an interview, or I can arrest you right now.”
I stepped away from Aiden, going cold. “What’s going on? You don’t have anything to do with local murders and can’t be involved in the investigation of Richard Basanelli.”
“This isn’t about a murder,” Aiden muttered.
Nick just stared at him. “What can the ATF possibly want with me?”
Aiden looked like an immovable object near the door. “That’s something we need to discuss down at my office.”
I looked around. “You can’t. He’s going to propose tonight.”
His gaze didn’t soften. “Sorry, Angel.”
“You didn’t even tell me you were flying back today,” I said accusatorially, stepping back and crossing my arms, feeling incredibly chilled. What in the world was happening right now?
He sighed. “I didn’t know I was. It was last-minute.”
“And you came to see Nick first?” I asked.
“I’m still on the job.” Aiden looked tall and broad in black slacks and a dark jacket, which no doubt hid a weapon.
“Tell me what’s going on,” Nick said. “Or I’m not going with you. I don’t think you’ll really arrest me.”
“You’re wrong about that. I will. I need to talk to you about...” He glanced at me, and a sudden chill swept through me. His eyes darkened and then that veil I hadn’t seen in a while dropped over his gaze. “Let’s talk later.”
Nick’s chin lifted, and his eyes glittered. “My lawyer’s present right now, so I’ll be bringing her with me.”
Heat flared in Aiden’s eyes. “I think you should go outside of the family for this one. It puts her in a terrible position.”
“It puts you in a terrible position,” Nick retorted.
One thing about Basanelli was that the guy knew strategy. He rarely lost in trial. Of course, Aiden also knew how to fight dirty. I didn’t like being in the middle, but...
“I am Nick’s attorney.” I lifted my chin. “Anything you have to say, you can say in front of me.”
Aiden’s glare flicked to me, and I felt the glittering irritation in those too-blue eyes all the way to my feet. “Fine. You can come to my office, as well, but we are leaving now.”
I looked around. “We can’t leave now. Tessa’s coming.”
“Now,” Aiden said, no give on his face.
Disappointment swamped me. “Let’s go. You can text her that dinner is off.”
Nick shook his head. “She has a key. She’ll come in. We have to get rid of this stuff. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Oh, crap. You take care of the table.” I ducked down and started picking up rose petals, trying to balance myself. They were much easier to throw around than pick up.
“What are you doing?” Aiden asked.
“Help me,” I hissed.
Grumbling, he reached down to snatch several petals. I moved to gather more into my hands and slipped on the ice that had dropped from his boots. My arms windmilling, I slid across the floor. He tried to grab me, but I hit the island, turning slightly so I took the impact with my forehead.
“Anna.” Aiden instantly pulled me up, looking closer. “Are you okay?”
I blinked several times, the pain in my head rocketing. “No, I just hit my head. Your timing is terrible.”
“Sorry. Just stand here.”
My vision remained a little blurry as I rubbed a forming lump on my forehead. I could not believe this.
Nick hid the champagne and all the glasses beneath the sink and then gathered the tablecloth.
“Keep it folded,” I hissed. “You’ll still need it, and it’s so nice.”
He rolled his eyes but placed the linen on the table and began carefully refolding it.
I leaned down to help Aiden finish gathering all the scattered rose petals. “What are we supposed to do with these?” he asked, his hands full.
I reached for one of the discarded bags on the counter. “In here.” We hurriedly filled the bags and shoved those beneath the sink, as well. My brain had scrambled. I couldn’t believe Aiden was back in town, and, more importantly, possibly wanted to arrest Nick.