I’ve never had a friend like that because I’ve always been so close to my brothers.Then again, I’ve never needed a friend like that until now.
“My head’s spinning,” I confess, and he looks concerned.
“Why?”
“I’m not gonna lie, seeing Candace’s father on that list really shocked me.I keep trying to tell myself it’s not what it looks like, but it has to be.I didn’t really know her uncle all that well, but her father wasn’t that kind of guy.”
Aiden bites the inside of his lip.“Well, he must have been Dominic if he’s on the list.There’s no mistake, it points to human trafficking and if he’s there, then he was involved.”
I nod and decide to shed more light on what’s up my ass.“Aiden, when I was seventeen, the man told me to stay away from his daughter.”
His brows arch. “Really?”
“Yeah. He did that, knowing he was up to shady shit.He painted this good picture of himself and his family, making me feel like I wasn’t good enough.I went through the years that followed believing that and Candace never knew how I felt about her.The worst thing was nobody could have hurt her more than him because of the way he and his wife were killed.The whole event devastated her.I feel like killing his ass all over again for getting mixed up in shit.”
“Does she know he told you to stay away?”
“No. A part of me has always tried to preserve the good memories she had of her father.He was an idiot for getting himself in trouble, but he loved her.I don’t want to taint that. He was a man like my father when it came to loving his child.It’s rare in our world.”
Aiden nods at that. “Yeah, that’s why I miss mine so much.Why don’t you go spend some time with her?I got research covered for today.”
I chuckle. “I can’t let you do all the work.I’ve taken enough time already, and lately, I seem to be a bastard who has his priorities crossed.I need to be out here.”
“Keeping yourself balanced is also a priority.We’re only going to be looking through documents.I can do that. While things are quiet, you should utilize your time in better ways that help you.”
“Aiden, you know if I go home I’m just going to be taking my girl to bed,” I smirk.
He gives me a chuckle. “Take it from me, sometimes you need that.It’s called downtime. Time to cool off.It’s all the better when you’re with someone you care about.That hasn’t happened for me in a long time.I have women, but I will never have the one I really wanted ever again.”
A pang of guilt tugs at me. “Sorry.”
“Like I said before, old friend, don’t feel sorry for me.I'm just telling you so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.They’re not the kind you can fix.Go home, Dominic. I’ll call you if I need you.”
“Thanks.”
I leave him and head over to the street my bike is parked on.It’s just over by the bar. I consider what Aiden said, knowing there’s more to his story he’ll probably never share.
A day with Candace does sound like the thing I need.Last night was amazing. It was like we just forgot everything outside the walls of my home.I can’t deny that I don’t crave a repeat.
As I’m about to get on my bike, I stop when I feel eyes on me.When I look over my shoulder, I swear I see the shadows in the alley opposite me shift.There are quite a few people around, so I could be mistaken in thinking someone was specifically watching me.But I don’t think so.
Just to be sure, I rush over to the alley.When I get there I see a guy ahead in a hooded shirt glance back, then turn down one of the corners quickly when he sees me.
The guy looked ordinary, but that’s exactly what the enemies might want me to believe.
Or maybe he wasn’t an enemy.
If not, who was he?