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“I don’t kill children,” Finn says. “Your daughter is safe from me. As for both of your wives, I have my own wife now. I don’t care about either of yours. I’m not going to attack them. So, either learn to trust me or don’t. Your choice.”
“My mind would be more at ease if you were dead,” Erik says. “But I know if you die, it will upset Aria and Aiden. Aria means a lot to Dante and Dante and I are partners. And Aiden is a good employee who’s trust I don’t want to lose. So because of those reasons and the fact that you saved Elena’s life… I’m willing to work with you again. Don’t fuck it up.”
Finn smirks. “I’ll try not to.”
Erik scowls but doesn’t say anything else.
“You really want to be with him?” Dante asks me.
I answer without hesitation. “I really do.”
“Then… fuck it. Welcome back to the family, Finn. But listen to Erik. Don’t fuck it up. Take this chance.”
“I know,” Finn says. “Now that I have Aria, I’m not going to let go of it.” He squeezes my hand and I squeeze back.
Finn
Aria goes home for the night, even though she doesn’t want to. I’m sure returning to her house where her dad died is the last place she wants to be but the hospital staff kick her out, saying I need to rest.
That doesn’t stop Aiden from coming into my room after Aria leaves.
“No more visitors,” I tell him.
“I know. I’ll be quick. I just wanted to say… thank you. For saving Elena’s life. For saving our baby’s life.”
My brother looks so small and tall at the same time in this moment.
“I know I’ve fucked up,” I tell him. “But I did tell you that I was past hurting Elena. I’m not mad that you fell in love any longer. You started a new family. It’s time I do the same.”
“Who are you and where’s my brother?”
I laugh even though it hurts my chest to do so. The doctor told me it will take weeks for me to fully heal and return to my normal self. I’m sure that will make Dante and Erik happy since I’ll be too hurt for them to worry I’ll do anything.
But I made my promise. I’ll work with them if it means having Aria in my life. Nothing else matters now.
“I fell in love too,” I admit. “I never thought I’d see the fucking day but Aria has changed. She’s shown me I can have more out of life. I was holding on to so much anger towards you but I’m done with it. I just want my brother back. If you’ll have me.”
“If I’ll have you? I never gave up on you. I think you know that.”
“Then explain to me why you shot me in the shoulder.”
Aiden shakes his head but he’s smiling. It feels like old times between us. “I thought you were going to hurt Elena. I know better now. I’m just glad to have you back. I missed you.” He clasps me on the shoulder and I try not to wince from the pain. I still have to be tough, you know.
“I missed you too. And for the record: I never gave up on you either. I was never worried you’d kill me because I could never get myself to kill you.”
“I’ll let you rest.”
“Aiden,” I say before he can leave the room. “I never told you but congratulations on the baby. You deserve a family.”
His eyes widen. “Thanks. You really have changed.” He leaves with a smile and I feel better. I have my girl and my brother back. My mom was in here earlier, fretting over me. For the first time in… ever I feel completely full.
The door opens. I’m expecting a nurse but instead it’s Viktor, standing imposing in a suit and tie.
“How did you get in here?” I ask, trying to calm my heart beat down but my monitor is giving away how nervous I am. I can’t fight from my hospital bed. If Viktor wants to kill me, I wouldn’t be able to stop him.
“I bribed a nurse. It wasn’t hard to do. They don’t earn enough money as is.” He crosses his arms and looks down at me with his intimidating eyes. “So, you didn’t kill Dante and Erik when you had the chance. The second I found out you were in the hospital, I had some men watching. Did you make adealwith them?”
“You made a deal with them before and left me in the dust. It’s not my fault you turned on them again.”