Emilia.

I don't think I've ever been so excited for a date. All day, Ashley and I have been getting ready, you would think we were going on a month-long vacation with how much we've prepared for our first night having a double date with the guys.

"Which color?" she asks, holding a vibrant palette in front of her. I'm horrible at picking shades so I point to a few pretty ones and she laughs, shaking her head. "You're lucky your naturally pretty or else you'd look like a clown whenever you put on eyeshadow."

I quirk my brow at her, pointing to all of her perfect features. "Okay miss America," I say, tossing a pillow at her from the bed. We fall into a fit of giggles in the warmly lit room.

It's the first time in a while we just get to cut up and be happy, being in the safe house hasn't been a nightmare or anything but we're all ready to get back to the real world... if that's even possible without knowing who took Aiden.

I wonder what he wants to talk to us about?

"Okay, so which dress?" she asks, holding two floor-length gowns in front of her. I ponder for a moment, making her nervous. We both already know she will look fabulous in the deep blue one in her right hand.

"I don't know Ash, I don't like either of them." I joke, leaning back against the throw pillows and fake yawning.

"Ugh! I know your sense of style isn't as bad as your make up choices." she teases me, tossing the black dress on the floor and proudly displaying the sapphire blue one to herself in front of the mirror. "I know you like this one better, your eyes tell-all," she says, giving me a wink.

Ash sits down in front of the mirror and just as she brings her shadow brush towards her eyelid a soft knock sounds at the door. "Come in!" she yells.

Aiden walks in, Ricky in tow. He whistles when he sees her, "Wow, you look fucking gorgeous, babe." He tells her, walking up and lifting her face to his for a kiss.

She giggles, "I'm wearing sweats and have absolutely no makeup on."

He shakes his head, "I stick to what I said, absolutely gorgeous."

"You need glasses." she jokes, returning to the mirror and starting her meticulous routine. I can tell how happy she is with Ricky from the smirk she can't seem to shake off.

Aiden walks over to me, bending down to whisper in my ear "You're the prettiest."

I shake my head, "I heard that!" Ashley yells, "But I agree." she says, which makes me smile.

He turns his attention back to me, "Did you like the dress I picked for you?"

I saw it earlier, it's perfect. A little loud in color but it matches my tan skin, and the fit feels as if it was made for me. "I love it," I tell him, full cheshire grin.

He turns towards them, "Hear that? She loooooves it." Aiden says in a cocky town. Ricky rolls his eyes and I give him a questioning look. "Ricky and Ash both said you'd hate it, they thought you would prefer black." he elaborates.

"Why?"

Ashley chimes in, "because your shy, and reds a not so shy color. I know you're going to look stunning in it but I thought you'd hate it." she shrugs.

Aiden laughs, and Ashley chucks the pillow I threw at her, at him. "I still know her better than you." She says, sticking her tongue out.

"No fucking way." He says, swooping in to steal a kiss from me as I laugh at the both of them and their sibling rivalry over me. "Anyways, we're leaving in an hour. I just wanted to let you girls know."

"Sounds good." Ashley says, I nod in agreement as they exit. I don't know why I am so nervous about tonight, Aiden gives me butterflies every time he walks in the room. I need tonight to go perfectly.

***

The sun is setting as I walk into our quiet bedroom. Aiden's in the garage with Ricky, undoubtedly deciding on what we should drive tonight. Bouncing over to the bed I admire the gorgeous deep red dress Aiden picked out for me. He thought of everything. Heels, jewelry, handbag.

Ashley should be rushing in here at any minute to see how everything came together, she did my make up and hair for me when I was in her room. Just a simple sunkissed look with large wanded curls.

I look back at myself in the full-length mirror, admiring how he knows me so well to pick out something I never would have got for myself normally but looking at it on... it's perfect. I never would have imagined myself in such a stunning deep red dress, but it's my new favorite.

Tonight is going to be amazing.

A slight knock sounds on the door as I finish slipping on my heels, I smooth my dress out and turn around excited for Aiden to see me, or Ashley.

My jaw almost drops at the sight of Leo sauntering into the room, catching me off guard. "I thought you left?" I say, taken aback.

"I just... I had to come back to say goodbye." He tells me, taking a few steps toward me. "it just didn't feel right leaving without saying anything."

I awkwardly smile, "Does Aiden know you're here?"

He rolls his eyes, "Come on Em, I'm not a threat. You know I'm not. He just gets nervous about me." He eyes me up and down, "You look beautiful by the way." I don't know how to respond so I just look off to the side.

It takes him a moment to speak again, "I... I needed to tell you something." I cock my head to the side in question as he steps forward. "I wanted to tell you to be careful." He says, his voice low.

"Careful?"

He pinches the bridge of his nose, "Tonight... going into the city?"

"How did you know about that?" I ask, a little confused.

"Aiden's been planning it for a while." I give him an odd look. "I was your guard Emilia, I know these things because it was my job. Please don't let him brainwash you into thinking I'm the bad guy here."

"Are you insinuating he's the bad guy?" I ask, but silence spills through the room, telling me that is indeed what he was telling me. Wanting this conversation to end as quickly as possible I give him a pointed stare, "It's a date, we're not going into an underground fighting ring or anything."

He rolls his eyes, stepping closer. "I'm not worried about the date." I gesture for him to elaborate and he does. "It's Aiden. Doesn't he seem a little..." He rubs his chin in thought, "Controlling." He finishes.

I scoff, "You know nothing of our relationship."

He steps closer, "I'm worried you don't see anything passed him." His voice sounds desperate.

I laugh, "Why would I? He's everything to me."

"That's the fucking problem. Why can't you just be with someone who doesn't bring you into danger? All I want is your safety Em." His tone is desperate, but his words infuriate me.

"Why are you acting like this?" I ask, completely taken aback.

"I couldn't say these things before, but since he fired me..." he leans forward closing the gap between us. "I can say whatever I want." he looks at me with purpose behind his gray eyes, "you deserve a better life, a calmer life."

"I have a perfect life!" I yell, my cheeks reddening at how angry he's making me.

He scoffs, "Perfect?" his voice raises too, he gestures around the room. "Emilia, you're in a fucking safe house. None of this is safe for you. Go home, go home to your mom and your normal life. No man is worth this."

I look down at my feet, unable to speak... it's pointless, he'll never understand.

He takes in the silence, taking a deep breath as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "You're impossible." he sighs, coming much too close to me. I stagger back but his stride is too wide, his tall frame towers over me as he leans his head down.

A blanket of overwhelming confusion cascades over me as his unfamiliar lips crash against mine.

The kiss only last for mere seconds, and the moment my hands reach his chest I push him back. Leo stops immediately, stepping further away and giving me a sorrowful look but then behind him I see Aiden... in the doorway... looking heart-wrenchingly broken and enraged.

♥️

See y'all Monday!

🔥🔥🔥 AIDEN COVER REVEAL is happening on my Instagram tonight!!!! I'll be revealing in sections over the span of about 20 minutes, head over to my Instagram @HardinsGirl1 around 6 pm EST USA!!

Don't worry for those who don't have Insta, I'll be doing a reveal on here when I update Monday 🤗