Page 104 of Thorns of Deceit

My lips curved into a smile. “My mom handled it all, so she deserves all the credit.”

“She surprises me,” he murmured. “I thought she failed you when, in fact, she ensured your protection all along.”

“Yes. She’s amazing, but Duncan hurt her.”

The worst part was fear clawing at my ribs. The thought that he was hurting herright nowtoo. It was enough to hollow me out from the inside, gutting me alive. But I couldn’t fall into despair. I trusted Aiden to get her back, and thanks to his brothers and my endless questions, I knew he was already lining up a plan.

“We’ll get her back, Raven,” Aiden vowed, and I believed him.

After a beat, he straightened and stood up, offering his hand. “Come on, let’s eat out.”

“I won’t argue with you,” I retorted, taking his hand. “No smoke, no explosions… I should have suggested it myself.”

AIDEN

Outside, the air carried the faint hum of an accordion drifting down from somewhere along the block. Inside Le Petit Chardon, conversation, laughter, and the soft clinking of cutlery wove through the warm haze of candlelight.

The bistro smelled of roasted garlic and fresh bread, comforting, familiar, and blocks away from the chaos we’d left behind in the penthouse kitchen. Raven exhaled as we stepped inside, her shoulders finally relaxing, the golden string lights reflecting in her dark hair.

“Maybe I’ll burn food every day if it means you’ll take me to places like this,” she said, shooting me a sideways glance. “Howdid you even get a table here? This place is booked out for a year.”

I smiled, leading her to our table. Pulling out her chair, I said, “The owner is a friend.”

“Thank God for that,” she murmured, sinking into the seat. “Restaurants hand you food without torching it. Unlike me.”

I reached across the table and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

“I’ll gladly eat your burnt food,” I said softly, “because it means you’re here to make it.”

Her smile faltered as a shadow passed over her face, her shoulders dipping again.

“What is it?” I asked.

She swallowed hard, her throat working around the words. “I’m starting to realize how much pain I caused by my supposed death.”

The waiter appeared then, all polite timing and crisp white linen, setting down our drinks and taking our order. I waited until he was gone before answering.

“You’re here now,” I said. “That’s what matters.”

“Just like that?” she whispered. “We forget the past?”

I shook my head slowly.

“The past is part of us, but it doesn’t have to define us. You and I… Our story started rough. But we found something rare, something priceless. You call to something inside me, Raven. You always have. Because you belong to me, and I belong to you.”

Her brow furrowed, the corner of her mouth lifting in disbelief. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I gave a faint shrug. “My father loved only one woman. I’m bound to do the same.”

Her eyes widened, uncertainty flickering there. Maybe it wasn’t easy for a man—a ruthless criminal like me—to saysomething like that. But what was the point of pretending otherwise?

“Were your parents very much in love?” she asked, her voice tentative.

My jaw clenched and my expression hardened.

“My mother betrayed my father,” I said quietly, “and it cost him his life.”

Her eyes softened. “I’m sorry.”