Page 11 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Eleven

AIDEN

After another long day at the studio, we came back to dinner as per usual but we went to our own beds after that.

I wanted her beside me, but I also wanted her to come to me, not give in because I forced the issue.

A cold bed and a hasty hand job were the best I could offer myself.

Until I fell asleep and had the most erotic dream I’ve ever had.

And that’s including the ones I had of Mrs. Sanderson, my old biology teacher, in those tight-ass skirts she used to wear.

The sound of my cell ringing pulls me from the dream, much to my annoyance. I fumble for it without looking to see who it is. For someone to call this early, it must be important.

“Hello.”

“Don’t freak out.”

I open my eyes and sit up. “Arlo?”

“Yeah, look, there’s been a shitload of crap going down since you’ve been gone.”

“Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell me?”

“Because you’re where you’re supposed to be.”

I take a deep breath and climb out of bed. As much as I want to dispute his statement, I can’t. Tilly needs me, and right now, that trumps everything.

“You still should have told me.”

“Well, I’m telling you now. Don’t get your fucking panties in a twist. Now listen before you lose your shit. There’s been an explosion. Kellen got hurt.”

“WHAT?”

“What did I just fucking say?”

I move to the closet and grab some clean clothes, putting the speakerphone on so I can get dressed.

“Is he okay? What happened?”

He gives me the rundown of what’s been happening while I’ve been gone.

“So let me get this straight…Callie got kidnapped and flown to Vegas for a wedding to a psycho, where she was beaten black and blue before being rescued by some random bikers. And if that wasn’t enough, the psycho also blew up our offices, injuring Kellen, Callie’s mom, and a couple of cops?”

“Yeah, that’s about it.”

I snarl as I yank on a pair of jeans. “I’m heading back.”

“Good, because we’re still in Vegas. We want someone with Kellen.”

“Consider it done.”

I hang up and finish getting dressed before I grab the shit I’ll need and head out into the hallway. I hesitate. I could get Daniel to watch Tilly for me temporarily, plus she has Marley and Greyson with her. But the thought of leaving her here without me watching her makes my chest pull tight.

“Fuck it.” I jog up to her room and bang on the door. I don’t think she’ll be impressed if I kick another one down.

It takes a few minutes, and then Tilly’s standing there half asleep, looking adorably confused.

“Aiden? What’s wrong?”

Realizing she’s only wearing a tank top and panties and showing a lot of skin, she tries to cover herself, but I step forward and slide my hand into her hair, holding her in place.

“Never hide yourself from me. I could sit and look at you all day and never get bored.”

She sucks in a shaky breath and nods. I know there will be many more moments like this because it’s instinctual for her right now. But we’ll get there.

“What happened? Is it the stalker?”

I frown before I curse, wrapping my arms around her shaking body and holding her tight.

“Fuck, I’m sorry. No, he’s not here. One of my friends is hurt.

I don’t know how bad, but he was in an explosion.

He’s at the hospital back home alone because everyone else is in Vegas dealing with an emergency. ”

“An explosion? Oh my god.” She pulls back and looks me over, realization dawning.

“You need to leave. I mean, of course you do. He’s your friend. Do you need help packing?”

“I need you to get dressed and throw a bag together for yourself. You’re coming with me.”

She gapes at me momentarily, her mouth moving, but no words coming out.

I tap her ass. “Quick as you can, Tilly. I need to get there and see what the fuck is going on.”

She jolts and looks at me for a moment. “I’m not sure?—”

I cover her mouth with mine for a moment before pulling back. “I need you, Tilly.”

She swallows before squaring her shoulders. “Give me ten minutes. What time is it anyway?”

I look down at my watch. “A little after five am.”

“Marley and Greyson will be downstairs. Explain the situation and ask Greyson if he can call my pilot and get the plane ready as soon as possible.”

“You have a plane?”

“Yeah. Movie star, remember?”

I roll my eyes. “It’s easy to forget.”

“Is me having more money than you going to be an issue?” she asks quietly.

“No. As long as you don’t put up a fight about me buying dinner and shit.”

“You wanna buy me dinner?”

“Babe.”

“Shit, injured friend. I’ll be right back.” She spins on her heel and hurries to the bedroom as I head down and try to locate Greyson.

I find Marley, unsurprisingly, in the kitchen. “You see Greyson?”

“He went to talk to whoever was on security detail last night.”

“Something happen?”

Marley looks around to make sure nobody is around to hear. “There was a dead pigeon in the mailbox.”

I pause and frown. “Any chance it flew in, got stuck, and suffocated?”

“No. It’s been decapitated, and the head is missing.”

“Goddamn motherfucker.”

“Yeah, that was my response.”

I run my fingers through my hair before I sigh—nothing to be done about it now. “I’ll ask Daniel if his team can sweep the property while we’re gone and see if he can find any signs that anyone has been sneaking in.”

“While you’re gone?”

“Gotta fly home for a little while. One of my best friends has been in some kind of accident. That’s why I’m looking for Greyson. Tilly said he would call ahead and get her plane ready.”

“Matilda’s going with you?” he asks, surprised.

“Yeah. I won’t leave her unprotected.”

He smiles and nods. “A little space from this place might be a good idea right now anyway. I’ll call the pilot and get things set up for you. I’ve had to do it before when Greyson’s been sick. I’ll fill him in on the details when he gets back.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

He takes his cell phone out of the pocket at the front of his apron and steps back as he makes his call.

I turn away to give him privacy and walk toward one of the large windows overlooking the courtyard. My eyes scan the patio furniture and the fire pit, skating over the rest of the deck before I focus on the grass and flowers.

I take a deep breath and blow it out. Kellen has to be okay. He’s too fucking stubborn not to be. Still, I know I won’t relax until I lay eyes on him myself.

“All done. The plane will be ready to leave in 45 minutes. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

“Can you pull together some food we can eat in the hospital? I don’t know how long we’ll be there, and I don’t want to expose Tilly too much by dragging her to the cafeteria to buy food.”

“Of course. I’ll do that now.”

“Thanks, Marley—” My eyes catch on something pink, and my words cut off as I head to the window for a better look. “Son of a bitch.”

“What is it?” Marley moves up beside me before his eyes land on the stack of manuscripts sitting on the arm of the chair. On top of the stack is a pink Post-it note, and lying beside it is a pigeon’s head.