Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(34)

“Just water please,” Lia said.

“Same for me,” said Bianca.

“I need something stronger than water. What do you have?” April asked.

“I’m sure we can accommodate any request you have ma’am,” Kelly replied.

“In that case, I’ll have a French Seventy-Five.”

I looked at April. That was our signature drink for our get-a-ways. She looked stressed. Now that I thought about it, she looked that same way the day she came to Mom’s. Something was wrong. Something more than her concern for me. I made a mental note to check on her when we had some alone time. I didn’t know how much help I could be in my state but I would definitely try.

Aiden was on the phone. From the sounds of it, he was speaking with Brooklyn. Lia and Bianca were sitting quietly taking in the luxurious interior of the jet. It boasted a simple design with clean lines and a minimalist color scheme. There were white leather arm chairs towards the front and a matching white leather sofa to the rear. It was modestly designed with oil paintings and Waterford crystal lamps. It was as if we’d stepped into a lavish hotel suite. I suppose if you were planning to travel, this was certainly the way to do it.

I looked down at the quilt, studying one of its appliqué patterns. I unfolded it to see what other patterns she’d selected. She hadn’t had a chance to finish it. “No!” I screamed.

“Aria? What is it?” Aiden asked, alarmed by my outburst. He shoved the phone in his pocket and pulled my hands into his. “What’s wrong?”

“She didn’t have a chance to-to,” I stuttered, my lips trembling.

“To what?” he asked.

“To finish the quilt.” I replied. I was crying hysterically; Aiden remained calm, cradling my face between his hands.

“Aria. Look at me. Look at me Aria.”

I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his.

“It’s okay. Shhhh, it’s okay,” he whispered.

“No, it’s not okay. It’s not okay Aiden,” I insisted.

“Aria, we can finish the quilt for you. We can all help. We’ll finish it,” he said, his eyes locked with mine.

Kelly returned with our drinks and Aiden reached inside his jacket. I watched as he opened the prescription bottle.

“Take this Princess,” he said, lifting the pill towards my mouth. I looked at him as he urged me to take it. I opened my mouth and he lifted the glass of water to my lips. I took a few sips and he placed the water on the table to his left.

I looked up to see that Lia, Bianca and April were all watching me. I closed my eyes and reclined in the seat. Aiden pulled me toward him, molding me to his chest.

I must have drifted off. I opened my eyes to the feel of Aiden’s hands at my waist as he removed the seat belt. “We’re home Aria, back in Boston. Everything’s going to be fine.”

His words, although soothing, were a harsh reminder of my reality. My mother was dead. I would never have the chance to make up for the years I’d lost with her. I hadn’t been there to help her get better. I had run, leaving her to struggle with years and years of depression. I had been a horrible daughter. I looked up at Lia and Bianca and the guilt moved through me like water through a sieve. Did they blame me? Was this my fault?

I had the urge to cry but it was as though my tear ducts were frozen. It must have been the medication. I felt like a zombie. I shook my head trying to resurrect the Aria that was there sitting beneath it all, shielding herself from the enormity of the grief.

I rose from the seat. Aiden was close behind me, offering his strength because he knew I had none. I turned to look at him. I wanted to say something but the words wouldn’t come.

He smiled at me, his warm eyes melting the chill that was coursing through me. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

I shook my head and turned to face the others. April rushed over and hugged me. I didn’t deserve their sympathy. Lia and Bianca … they deserved it, but not me. I was unable to offer any type of solace to either of them in my nearly catatonic state. I looked at them and they both watched as April and Aiden fussed over me.

“Mr. Raine, the car is waiting and I have Kinsley with me. She’ll take some quick measurements for Miss Cason’s sisters and have some clothes and other essentials sent over to the penthouse within the hour. Will there be anything else, sir?”

It was Brooklyn, his personal assistant. Did she ever take a break? It must have been nearly midnight. And where would they get clothes at this hour? Knowing Aiden, someone had been awakened to meet his every request.

“Were you able to cancel the two meetings with Dasani Software in the morning?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Brooklyn replied.

“And what of Nicholas? Is he prepped to step in for the Japan meetings?”

“Yes, he actually flew out three hours ago,” Brooklyn replied.

“Good. Forward my itinerary and I’ll review it to determine what other meetings I can either reschedule or bring in Sloan. She’s been shadowing my recent acquisition with Soshibi and she should be ready to take the lead on that project.”

“I’ve been in contact with Sloan and I scheduled a teleconference with your legal team tomorrow as well,” Brooklyn said.

“Sloan isn’t equipped for that. Move that to the first of next week. I’ll have to take that one on myself.”