Aiden.

I watch with worry as my Emilia turns around and begins to clean the bathroom, discarding the bloody bandages with a white towel wrapped tightly around her perfect body. I hate that she put it back on.

Making sure the bedroom door is still shut we change and head out into the main area. Leo sits, sipping a glass of brandy.

Trying to ignore my discomfort with Emilia having been alone with another man for so long I grab myself a glass and down it in a second, pouring another and deciding to sip on it.

I take a moment to enjoy the fact that I'm alive and on the way home. Ashley, my god I can't imagine how she feels right now. Do any of them know I'm alive?

I look back at Leo, narrowing my eyes. I know it was an act earlier but the sound of him calling my Emilia his wife makes me want to drive my fist through his smug face. Fuck, her with another man is my worst nightmare.

Another fear of mine is brought to the front when I turn to look at Emilia. I clutch my chest at the sight of her face as it goes pale. Her chest rising up and down quickly as she brings her knees to her chest while she sits on the white leather couch. This is what was wrong with her, everything happened so quickly and now it's encompassing her.

With two quick strides I'm in front of her and sitting on my knees, at this height I'm eye level with her. Leo walks over, his eyes concerned, "What's wrong with her?" He asks, doesn't he know? This is all his fucking fault.

"She's having a panic attack." I tell him while I rub my hands down her shoulders. Her breathing isn't calming.

"Bu-." I cut him off. "Shut the fuck up and get her some water." I can't stand to be around this guy, he brings my girl into danger and then wonders why she's having a fucking panic attack?

I lift my head to look at her, her eyes are glossed over as she tries to catch a full breath but can't seem to get one. "Shh, breath baby. It's okay. Everything is okay. I can't fucking believe you did this for me. How incredibly amazing and how fucking stupid of you." My breath hitches in my throat, what if something would have happened to her. "I love you so much Emilia, don't you dare fucking do anything like that on my behalf ever again but you're truly amazing." I give her my best side smile, full dimples.

She seems to respond to that. Releasing her hands from her knees slightly as she takes in a few calming breaths.

Leo comes back, handing the glass to me. "She's been fine this whole time." He says in a curious tone.

I throw my head back, trying to keep my voice calm. "Of course, she's been fine, she wanted to save me. Now I'm back and her body is adjusting to what she went through."

He brings a hand to his chin, "She wanted to go so badly, I thought she could handle it." The fucking audacity.

"She would do anything for me." I look him in the eyes, letting him know that I'm the end of the line for her. There is no one besides me for her, I see the way his eyes watch her. Like he cares for her. Like he fucking knows her.

He places a hand on her shoulder, my body tenses. "I'm sorry, Em."

Em?

What?

"You call her Ms. Banks or something else formal. Don't give my girl pet names." I spit, in shock a guard would ever do that.

"I asked him too." She replies in a soft voice, I wish I had the time to beat the fuck out of this guy but later sounds good... right now, she needs her man.

"I don't give a -." I start, but cut myself off. This isn't the time.

Her voice is small and weak, "Aiden, I don't know what's wrong with me, it feels like I'm drowning." Her breathing picks up again and her words break my heart.

"I've got you." I assure her as I place her in my lap, my hands running through her damp hair, her shoulders, everywhere to keep her calm.

♠️

How's life?