Page 27 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

AIDEN

We ate risotto and drank wine in bed, watching reruns of Friends . Neither of us had much energy for anything else. It had been a long-ass day for the both of us—hell, it had been a series of long-ass days. But I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the evening.

Once we were done eating, I pulled her to my chest and held her close, both of us out cold within minutes.

When the alarm blares at stupid o’clock the next morning, Tilly is up and in the bathroom, getting ready. I glare at the clock, thinking of throwing it through the window. Instead, I turn it off and get to my feet with a grumble just as Tilly walks into the bedroom, dressed and ready to leave.

“I don’t like waking up alone,” I grumble.

She walks into me as I open my arms, pressing her forehead against my bare chest. “Once filming is over, we’ll do a bunch of lazy mornings in a row.”

“You promise?”

She chuckles, looking up at me. I can’t say I blame her. I’m acting like an overgrown toddler.

“I promise,” she whispers, lifting onto tiptoes to kiss me.

I give in to her request and take control of the kiss, only just refraining from peeling off her clothes and tossing her on the bed.

Reluctantly, I pull back. “What time do we need to leave?”

“You’ve got about forty-five minutes. If you wanna jump in the shower, I’ll go start the coffee.”

“Deal.” I kiss the tip of her nose and let her go. As she moves to walk past me, I slap her ass just because I can. She turns and glares at me, but there’s no heat in it.

“Behave.”

“Never!” I call out as I head to the bathroom.

I take a cold shower, but when that doesn’t relieve the tension, I fuck my fist, imagining Tilly’s lips wrapped around me, her pretty eyes looking up at me as tears streak down her cheeks. I come with a groan. It’s not the same as being inside my woman, but it’s enough to take the edge off.

I get dressed, slip on my holster and gun, and grab my phone and keys. I can smell the coffee as I go downstairs and happily take the mug Tilly holds out to me when I walk into the kitchen.

“You want something to eat? Craft services won’t be in until six.”

It’s only four-thirty. “What are my options? It’s way too early to be cooking.”

She walks into the pantry and returns with a basket covered in a towel. She places the basket on the island and pulls the towel away to reveal a bunch of pastries.

“Oh yeah, that will work. Though I will need to find time to use the gym later.”

She blows out a breath. “I know the feeling. Hopefully, we’ll finish a little earlier tonight.”

“We’ll figure it out.” I take a bite of a pain au chocolate and groan in bliss. “Did Marley make these?” He’s been off breakfast duty for the last week since we’ve been going in so early.

“No, they’re from a little bakery where he buys the bread. Good though, right?”

“Hmm…the only thing sweeter is your pussy.”

She chokes on her coffee, but I grin unrepentantly as I take another bite.

“I’ll take your word for that,” she murmurs.

“You never taste yourself?”

She squirms my words, getting to her. “Only on your lips.”

I pause with the pastry in my hands, my cock going from semi- to rock-hard in a nanosecond. “Well played, Tilly. Well played.”

The drive to set is a quiet one, which isn’t unusual for this time of morning.

Granted, it’s not Tempest quiet. There are still cars passing us as we head to our destination, but thankfully, there are no congestion or traffic jams we need to worry about.

That’s something I definitely won’t miss when I go back.

I clench the wheel, trying not to think about it, but the longer the stalker stays quiet, the sooner Blake is going to call me home.

I know he needs all hands on deck, especially as he is about to close on the new office space.

I’m just not ready to be away from Tilly yet.

And with the film stuff being as manic as it is, she won’t be able to come with me, even if she wants to.

“I think we might need to take a lunchtime nap in my trailer,” she muses, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“I like the way you think.”

“I thought you might.”

I pull into the lot and spot a couple of cars. I recognize them as belonging to the crew, who are usually here to set the scene and make sure everything is in place.

“This is the last day filming here, then we’ll be back to the studio.”

“As cool as this has been to watch your vision come to life, I’ll openly admit, I can’t fucking wait to have AC again.”

She laughs as I park and climb out before I walk around and open her door for her.

She takes my hand as I help her out and move her aside so I can grab her bag and lock the door.

I press her against the car for a long, deep kiss that will have to keep me going, at least until lunch.

Once she gets in the zone, she becomes oblivious to everything else around her.

It makes me glad as fuck that I’m here to act as her eyes.

“Mmm…now that’s a wake-up shot better than coffee,” she murmurs against my lips with a grin.

“Why, Miss Carson, I do believe you’re making me blush.”

She giggles, leaning into me as we take the stolen moment. All too soon, though, she sighs and pulls back. “Come on, let’s go make some movie magic.”

I throw her tote bag over my shoulder and take her hand again, walking her where she needs to be.

I hang back as she talks to her crew, keeping my eye on everyone and noticing more people arriving.

Despite the long grueling hours everyone has been working, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air.

I think they know this film is going to be something special.

Watching Tilly weave her magic has been awe-inspiring, and not just for me.

I’ve heard people talking about how much they enjoy being on set and how Matilda instantly puts them at ease.

When craft services arrives, I grab Tilly a hot chocolate and myself a coffee.

I sit in the chair beside her as she starts filming the first scene of the day.

It is quiet on set as everyone becomes absorbed doing their part.

Credit where credit is due—the lead actors and actresses in this movie are phenomenal.

When she calls cut, she tells everyone to take a ten-minute break while they set up for the next scene.

She leans her head on my shoulder as I talk to her about the random crap I hear around the set, making her laugh. Once she gets back to shooting, I fire off a group text to the guys, letting them know what I’m up to.

Thankfully, I have the sound off on my phone because the messages start pouring in.

Banner: It’s Mr. Hollywood himself.

Marcus: And here I thought you’d forgotten about us little people.

I roll my eyes at the asshole. I spoke to him a few fucking days ago.

Me: Sorry, Mom, I didn’t realize how much you’d miss me.

Felix: Ignore him; he’s just feeling antsy. You know he doesn’t feel like Superman if he doesn’t have a damsel to save.

Marcus: Fuck you. I don’t give a shit about being the hero; I’m just sick of feeling like something is coming.

Felix: You get one of your feelings again, bro?”

I snort. I can just picture Felix doing the finger quotes as he says that.

Marcus: I don’t know why I bother with these assholes.

Banner: What did I miss? Why does Marcus have his panties in a twist?”

I grin, sliding my phone away before I get so engrossed I lose sight of what I’m supposed to be doing.

By the time Tilly calls for a lunch break, I feel like my stomach is going to try eating itself.

“Are you still up for a nap?” Tilly turns to me. My stomach growls in reply. “I guess that means you need feeding first.”

“We both do. You’re burning off a lot of energy running around like a crazy woman.”

“I suppose I could go for a sandwich.”

“Anything in particular you fancy?”

“Surprise me.” she tips her head back so I can kiss her before snagging her bag from the back of her chair and heading toward her trailer.

Everyone has the same idea about grabbing food, so it takes me a little longer than usual to grab something. I pick up a couple of turkey sandwiches, some chips, and two Cokes, figuring Tilly could use the sugar boost.

I walk over to the trailer, nodding at the people who greet me. It isn’t until I reach the steps that I notice the door wide open. A dark feeling unfurls in my gut and I jog up the remaining steps. I pause in the doorway and take a relieved breath when I see Tilly standing there alone.

It isn’t until I’ve checked her over that I realize she’s frozen on the spot, her body completely rigid.

I drop the food on the table as I walk slowly toward her. “Tilly?”

She whimpers as I reach her and pull her back to my chest. I spot the dead flowers in a vase on top of the TV stand—the ones she tossed in the trash last night.

I lift my head and frown, and that’s when I see the bedroom.

It was easy to miss at first because of the angle and because I was solely focused on Tilly.

I pull her behind me and take a step closer, angry curse words spilling from my mouth as I take it all in.

The bedroom walls are entirely covered with Post-notes. On each one is a crudely drawn stick figure lying in a circle of blood with a knife sticking out of each of their chests. I pull out my cell phone and take pictures that I send to Kellen.

I turn to Tilly, who looks like she’s going to be sick.

“We need to call the cops, baby,” I tell her gently.

She lets out a frustrated sigh before glancing at her watch. “I’m so tired of this motherfucker messing with my life. I’m this close to wrapping everything up here. I really can’t afford any more delays.” Her anger is palpable, chasing away her fear.

I rub my hands up and down her arms. “We’ve still gotta call them.”

She tips her head back and stares at the ceiling.

For a minute, I think she’s going to scream.

Instead, she swallows and focuses back on me.

“Fine, call them. Tell them what’s happened, but you can also let them know it’s not an emergency.

We can lock the trailer behind us so nobody else will have access.

We’ll be on set for the rest of the day, so we’ll be available for questioning. ”

I grind my teeth at her flippancy, but I know it is not because she isn’t taking this seriously. It’s because so far, the police have done next to nothing. If the pattern holds, all they’ll do is come here, cause a stir, delay shit, and then tell her they have nothing to go on.

I run my hand through my hair as my phone chimes. A message from Kellen appears on the screen.

Kellen: I’m about to head into a meeting with Blake. No phones allowed. Marcus and Felix are at the hospital with Callie. Everyone else but Arlo and Banner are on a job, so I’ve sent the pictures to Banner. Are you guys okay?

I quickly type out a reply.

Me: Both safe, just pissed. Callie okay?

Kellen: Looks like a stomach bug. Gotta go. Call you later so you can fill me in. Kiss M atilda for me.

Me: Fuck you.

I look at Tilly, who is waiting for me to finish.

“I sent the photos to Kellen, who sent them to Banner. I know the cops will take their own, but I want shit for our records. I know they were useless before now, but they can’t write this all off.”

“Don’t bank on it. They already have an opinion of me formed in their heads. I’m tired, Aiden. Do I really have to wait until I get hurt again for them to listen? That’s how it feels.”

I pull her against me and hold her tight, offering her some of my strength. I’m just as pissed-off as she is.

“Alright, we’re going to do what you suggested. I’m going to call the cops, and then we will continue filming until they get here. I’ll show them what’s up and field their questions for as long as I can.”

“Thank you,” she murmurs against my chest.

“You don’t have to deal with this alone anymore. I know it’s a crappy situation, but we’ll navigate it together.”

“Together.” She nods. “I like the sound of that.”

I kiss her forehead. “Me too, baby, me too.”