Page 22 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

MATILDA

It’s been a couple of months since the showdown with Daniel.

Thankfully, he left without any more grandstanding, leaving Matt in charge of Cox Security.

Nobody has mentioned anything about Post-it notes or dead birds since we arrived home.

To begin with, I thought Matt and the guys were hiding shit from me.

But I knew Aiden wouldn’t keep me in the dark, not when the danger was very real.

I also knew both Greyson and Marley would tell me too.

I have to take it that means the stalker has stopped his antics.

But instead of finding peace with that, the whole scenario has left me on edge.

And I’d be an idiot to pretend not to notice the coincidence of the stalker backing off the moment I fired Daniel.

I shake the uncomfortable thoughts from my head.

I have no proof and a bad feeling isn’t enough to start pointing fingers at someone.

I check my watch. I have a couple of hours until I’m needed on set, so I decide to take over the kitchen and bake cookies.

Sometimes, I need to do something mindless to distract myself from everything going on.

As much as I love every second of directing this movie, I forgot how physically taxing it can be to work such crazy hours. The fact that I’m doing a half-day today is a miracle in itself. I’m sure as heck not going to waste the little free time I have.

Finding the kitchen empty, I head to the pantry and grab the items I need before laying them out on the kitchen island. I ask Alexa to play some music, and sing along as I begin measuring the ingredients.

The sound of muffled voices distracts me as I stir all the ingredients together. I pause the music and listen, to check if I’m hearing things, when I hear my mother’s voice coming from the foyer, though I don’t know what she’s saying.

I hurry to wash my hands as Aiden replies loud enough for me to understand. “I don’t care who you are. You can wait here until I’ve spoken to Matilda. This is her house, and you’ll wait until I can confirm she’s okay with you being here.”

Drying my hands, I hurry toward the entrance before things can get too heated.

“Get out. You no longer work here,” my mother snaps, making me frown.

“No offense, ma’am, but Matilda hired me, and she’s the only one who can fire me. Isn’t that right, Daniel?”

Daniel? What the fuck?

“Remove him now,” my mother barks, at Daniel, I’m guessing. I’ve had enough. I step through the door just as Daniel reaches for Aiden.

“Touch him, and I’ll have you arrested. I still might at that. For trespassing.”

“Matilda Carson!” my mother shrieks, clutching her pearls, as I walk over to Aiden. He watches me with concerned eyes, but I know he will let me play this however I want to. I blow out a deep breath. I guess it’s now or never, Matilda.

I slip my hand into Aiden’s and smile when his lips twitch. He squeezes my hand as we present a united front to my mother and ex-employee.

The day the paparazzi caught us at the airport, they wrote Aiden off as my bodyguard, which he is, of course.

But he’s so much more than that. I’m not complaining, though.

Living your life in a goldfish bowl is hard at the best of times without having your relationships scrutinized by every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

Writing Aiden off as nothing more than hired help meant they didn’t bother to dig into him or his life.

In fact, I don’t think he’s been named. He’s only referred to as my guard.

But just because we weren’t advertising there was more to our relationship than that didn’t mean we were hiding it either. The last few months, when I haven’t been working, have been filled with low-key dates and endless nights spent wrapped in each other’s arms, getting to know each other.

Daniel already knows there is something going on between us. I don’t doubt he’s shared that with my mother, though she’ll play dumb because it suits her. I, however, won’t. If she needs shit spelled out for her, then so be it.

“This man is fired. Let go of him right now. I won’t have you fornicating?—”

She stops her tirade when I hold up my hand. “This man is my boyfriend.” Aiden squeezes my hand harder. I look at him to ensure I didn’t read the situation wrong. We haven’t put an official label on what we are yet. He winks at me before bending down and pecking my nose.

I face my stunned mother once more. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to speak to your mother?”

“It’s a valid question. You only come here when you want something from me, and honestly, I don’t have the time or the patience to deal with your crap today. I have to be on set in a couple of hours, so I’ll repeat, what do you want?”

She smooths her already perfectly styled hair while glaring at me with disapproval.

“First of all, I don’t like your tone. I’m here because Daniel informed me you’re no longer a hermit.

As you are back to normal, I have two scripts for you.

Both of these directors want you, so no screen test is necessary.

You were born to be in front of the camera, not behind it.

Second, whatever this is, it needs to end.

Or, at the very least, remain hidden. Your fans will not like it if you are off the market.

I understand sowing your oats, but he is not the kind of man you marry.

Dear god Matilda, did I teach you nothing? ”

I feel my blood boiling in my veins. I grip Aiden’s hand so tightly I’m worried I’ll hurt him, but he keeps holding tight to me, feeding me his strength.

“Daniel went running to my mommy, and yet it still took you months to come see me?” I huff out a laugh, though nothing about this is amusing.

“I’m not doing any more movies. I’m done,” I tell her.

I’ve been toying with the idea of retiring from acting for a while now.

My heart is just not in it after everything that happened.

I didn’t realize I’d made a final decision until the words slip from my mouth, but it feels right.

“I’ve made enough money that I never have to work again.

My children will never have to work again.

Hell, my children’s children will never need to work either.

You can shove your scripts where the sun doesn’t shine.

Secondly, Aiden is exactly the kind of man I’d want to marry.

He’s sweet, kind, caring, and thoughtful.

I’d marry him in a fucking heartbeat. Of course, I would.

He’s protective and loving, and best of all, he doesn’t want to change me because he likes me just the way I am. ”

“Well, if he thinks that, I know you haven’t slept with him,” she retorts, making my face flush with embarrassment.

“Excuse me?” Aiden whisper-hisses. “Please tell me you did not just say what I think you said.”

She waves him off like he’s being stupid. “Believe me, boy, I’m sparing you. The face might be pretty, but the body has seen better days. Thankfully, stage makeup is its own kind of magic?—”

Aiden stomps forward, letting go of my hand and forcing my mother to back up.

“You’re talking about her scars? You, her own mother, are talking about the scars she got thanks to a vicious stalker?

And instead of showing an ounce of compassion, you burn her with your words, likely leaving scars far deeper than any chemical could. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“You wouldn’t say that if you’d seen them.” She sniffs indignantly.

“Seen them? I’ve done more than see them. I touched them, kissed them. I’ve fucking worshipped them because every single mark on her skin is a stepping stone that led her to me. I thank god every single day that she survived. Jesus, how can you look at her with anything but pride and awe?”

Silence blankets the space as Daniel looks at me with a shocked expression.

“What? You didn’t know about the scars?” I strip out of my sweatshirt and before I can chicken out, I slide my pants down my legs and kick them off.

I stand before Daniel, a man who professes to love me, in nothing more than bikini briefs and a bra.

And what do you know, it’s not my tits that catch his attention but my scars.

The motherfucker flinches before stepping back as if my scars burn him.

“What’s the matter, Daniel? I thought you loved me,” I mock, fighting back tears at his reaction.

Not because I care what he thinks of me but because this is how most people react.

“Well, guess what, Daniel? You’re not the only one here that’s disgusted.

Now I want you to leave my house, and take your team this time.

I don’t want you to have any excuse to return.

Any security you had here has been revoked, effective immediately. ”

“Oh, stop being dramatic. And for god’s sake, cover yourself up,” my mother snaps, her voice quivering as she looks anywhere but at me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Does my trauma offend you? That sounds like a you problem. I’m done with this, done with you and all your superficial bullshit. You talk about Aiden not being good enough for me. It’s me who is not good enough for him.” My voice croaks as he whips his head around to look at me.

He stalks toward me and cups my jaw. “You’re way too good for me, but I’m just selfish enough to keep you.

Besides, you just said you’d marry me. That sounds like a proposal to me.

And in case you’re wondering, my answer is yes.

” He kisses me before grabbing my clothes off the floor.

He gets to his knees and holds my pants out for me to step into.

I grip his shoulders and let him help me get dressed, finding the whole thing as intimate as if he were stripping me bare.

Once I slip the hoodie on, I feel like I have my armor back in place. I glare at Daniel, who hasn’t moved. It’s as if he is frozen in shock.

“Aiden, call the cops?—”

Daniel clears his throat. “I’ll leave,” he says. “I’m done. I’ll send you my final bill.” When he says this, he’s not looking at me anymore. He’s looking at my mom.

You son of a bitch.

“Tell me you didn’t?” I snap at my Mom.

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Do me a favor, Daniel. You owe me this much for all the bullshit and lies. Fuck off and take my mother with you.”

“How dare you. You can’t treat me this way. The tragedy has messed with your head. I think I should have my doctor come out and visit you. Maybe a stay in a clinic is exactly what you need.”

“Why? So you can fake some ailment and have me committed?” She doesn’t have the decency to deny it. “I’m so done with this. With you . Goodbye, Mother.”

I turn to leave, but her following words halt my movements. “Don’t make me your enemy, Matilda. You won’t win. I made you what you are. I can take it all away again.”

I shrug. “So take it. I dare you.”

“Time to go.” Aiden’s voice is firm and unyielding.

“Get your hands off me. I’ll have you arrested for assault.”

“Is there a problem here?” I turn at the sound of Greyson’s voice. He’s taking in the ugly scene with a blank expression, but it softens when he looks at me.

“They were just leaving. Neither of them is welcome here again. Please let the guards on the gate know to deny them access.”

“Very well.” He looks at my mother, a frosty edge creeping into his tone. “Mrs. Carson, Daniel, I’ll see you out.”

I walk away as my mother starts cursing up a storm. I’m so over her bullshit, and I need cookies now more than ever.

Leaning against the counter, I let my eyes drift closed for a moment, inhaling the comforting smell of cookie dough.

“So, where do you want to get married?”

I jump at Aiden’s voice before turning to face him. “Sorry about that. I was just trying to prove a point.”

“So you don’t want to marry me? Wow, talk about breaking a man’s heart.”

I roll my eyes. “Trust me, you don’t want to marry me.”

His hands move to my hips as he pins me against the counter. “I’d marry you tomorrow if you’d let me.”

“I can’t tell if you’re joking or not,” I whisper, looking into his eyes.

“I’d never joke about this.”