The dinner Scarlett Stewart had arranged was supposed to be an evening of celebration, but for Aiden, it was a trap. The rich aroma of wine had masked the faint bitterness of the drug Scarlett had slipped into his glass. He realized too late what she had done.
Aiden blinked as his vision blurred. Scarlett's smug smile told him everything he needed to know.
"What the hell did you do, Scarlett?" he demanded, his voice slurring slightly.
She sauntered over, her fingers trailing down his arm. "Relax, Aiden. It's just something to help you… unwind."
Anger surged through him as he tried to push past the fog clouding his mind. Scarlett tugged at his shirt, but Aiden caught her wrist, his grip firm despite the drug's effects.
"Don't even think about it," he growled, shoving her away.
Scarlett's expression darkened. "You can't keep resisting me, Aiden. Sooner or later, you'll realize I'm the one for you."
Aiden staggered toward the door, his head pounding. "The only thing I've realized is how pathetic you are," he spat before leaving the hotel room.
Scarlett's furious scream echoed behind him.
Aiden managed to make it home, his mind and body fighting the effects of the drug. He took the antidote he kept for emergencies and made his way to Sophie's room. She was fast asleep, her face serene. Despite his overwhelming frustration, being near her calmed him.
He lay beside her, careful not to wake her, and closed his eyes. For the first time in hours, he felt at peace.
The next morning, Sophie stirred, feeling the warmth of someone beside her. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped.
"Aiden? What are you doing here?"
Aiden blinked awake, his expression calm. "Relax, Sophie. Nothing happened. I just needed to be close to you."
Her cheeks flushed, but she quickly composed herself. "You can't just… do that! You scared me!"
He smirked, his tone teasing. "You look cute when you're flustered."
Sophie threw a pillow at him, but he caught it effortlessly. Despite her annoyance, she couldn't deny the flutter in her chest.
At Kai's clinic, Zane sat in silence, staring at the coffee in his hands.
Kai leaned against the desk, observing his friend. "You've been distracted lately. Is this about Ella?"
Zane sighed. "I don't know. I can't stop thinking about her, but it's confusing."
Kai chuckled. "It's not that complicated, mate. You like her. Maybe more than like."
Zane frowned. "But she's gone. What if I'm too late?"
Kai placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You won't know unless you try. Go to her, Zane. Figure it out."
Later that evening, Zane booked a ticket to Geelong, Ella's hometown. He didn't have a plan, but his heart told him it was the right thing to do.
Sophie's day at work had been exhausting. She was looking forward to going home, but as she stepped out of the building, a sleek black car screeched to a halt in front of her.
Before she could react, a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. The door slammed shut, and the car sped off.
Sophie struggled against her captor. "What do you want? Let me go!"
Mason Wilson's cold eyes met hers. "Calm down, Sophie. I just want to talk."
"Kidnapping isn't talking!" she snapped, fear lacing her voice.
Mason smirked. "I warned you to stay away from Aiden, but you didn't listen. Now your brother's life is at stake."
Sophie froze. "Lucas? What did you do to him?"
"Nothing—yet," Mason replied, his tone menacing. "But if you don't leave Aiden, I can't promise his safety."
Tears welled in Sophie's eyes. "Why are you doing this? Aiden deserves to choose who he loves."
Mason leaned closer, his voice low. "Aiden's choices don't matter when it comes to family alliances. You're a liability, Sophie."
Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. The door was yanked open, and Aiden stood there, his face a mask of fury.
"Mason, let her go," he demanded.
Mason raised an eyebrow. "You're making a mistake, Aiden. This girl—"
"I don't care!" Aiden interrupted, his voice like thunder. "Sophie is the only one I love. If you hurt her or Lucas, you'll regret it."
Mason hesitated before shoving Sophie toward Aiden. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Aiden pulled Sophie into his arms, holding her tightly. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I was so scared."
He kissed her forehead. "I won't let anyone hurt you. Not Mason, not anyone."
...