Page 61 of His Haunted Desire

“I swear.” Julian is full on weeping now. “I can’t believe you’d think I was capable of this.”

I push him away, turn, and take Aurora’s hand.

“We’re going to Grandma’s suite until the cops get here,” I tell Aurora. “If anything happened to you…”

I don’t finish the thought. I don’t need to.

She looks at me with shock.

“Don’t look so damn surprised. I brought you here; you’re my responsibility. Let’s move.”

CHAPTER 23

AURORA

Ibrought you here; you’re my responsibility. Let’s move.

His words bounce around my head as we hurry through the mansion. Is that really why he looked so worried, so desperate to protect me?

Or is he beginning to care too?

Evangeline’s suite is bigger than most apartments. The three of us sit around the table. Evangeline seems reluctant to look at her grandson, instead staring down at the table, her eyes glistening as if she’s on the verge of tears.

It’s understandable. She almost lost him. That must be a horrible thought.

Outside, the storm has finally begun to abate.

“Is anybody hungry?” Evangeline asks.

Raiden looks at me. “Starving.”

I haven’t showered since he touched me, tasted me. I can still feel the phantom impression his touch left on me. I squeeze my legs together under the table.

“I’ll have Sebastian bring us some food.”

“Where is he, your best buddy?”

Evangeline scowls. “Don’t be cruel about him.”

“People say you two are lovers, Grandma.”

“I’ve heard the sick rumors.”

“Sometimes, I wonder why we let him get so close.”

Grandma rolls her eyes. “Are you saying he’s a suspect?”

“Everyone’s a suspect,” Raiden snaps.

I place my hand on his arm. “Hey–Raiden.”

He looks at me sharply, like he’s going to snap at me now. But something about my touch seems to soothe him.

“Should I tell the guards we’re hungry?” I say.

“That would be nice,” Evangeline replies.

“Don’t leave the room, though,” Raiden says. “Go to the door, tell them, then come straight back.”