Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(35)

“Yes, sir. How shall I respond to the Pier Five proposal?”

“We can’t restructure the deal at the eleventh hour. It stays as is. They either agree to the terms or we absorb the company.”

“I’ll take care of it first thing Mr. Raine.”

“That’s all for now Brooklyn.”

“Yes, sir.” Her eyes fell on me. “I’m sorry for your loss Miss Cason,” she said, somberly.

I acknowledged her condolence with a tight smile as Aiden guided me toward the exit.

We were in the limo waiting for Lia and Bianca when April’s phone rang. She looked to see who was calling and frowned as she placed the phone back in her purse. I wondered if that had to do with what I saw on her face earlier.

Lia and Bianca soon joined us and settled in. I felt horrible for them. I felt horrible for all of us. I wanted to be the sister they needed. I wanted to be a real family. Of that, I was sure and I’d do everything I could to make that happen.

Again I had fallen asleep. I was awakened by the gentle kiss on my cheek and the soft whisper in my ear that we’d arrived. I opened my eyes to the deep green eyes and worried expression of the man who’d rescued me. We were outside Aiden’s penthouse when it dawned on me that I would prefer to be in the comfort of my own home.

“Aiden, I think I want to be at my place,” I said.

“What about the decorator? Isn’t your house out of sorts right now?”

How the hell did he know that? “Yes but –”

“I’ll have Brooklyn get everything situated as quickly as possible so you can get home but until then, you’ll stay here,” he said, as he slid out of the car.

We all quietly exited the car and headed toward the building. Aiden held tightly to my hand, tracing his thumb back and forth across the top, a sentiment that I hadn’t realized that I’d missed until now. We entered the penthouse and the memories of the last time we were here as a happy couple popped into my head. Aiden and I had awakened at my place that morning full of playful banter after a night of crazy hot sex. We later joined his family here for breakfast, which had gone surprisingly well. After breakfast however, Aiden and I had a fight and he’d disappeared for weeks.

“Hello Mr. Raine.”

“Hi Dianna,” Aiden greeted the strange woman who’d opened the door.

“I’ve called Dianna in to assist you with anything you may need. She can show you to your rooms. Make yourselves at home and if you need anything, please let her know.”

I looked at Dianna as she introduced herself to my sisters and April. She was a petite, curvy woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties. Her hair was light brown with several strands of gray pulled back neatly in a bun. She had a kind face with rounded cheek bones and full lips. Her almond-shaped eyes were a warm brown and I immediately pictured her as a sweet, loving grandmother.

“I didn’t know you had a maid. I thought you didn’t go for that sort of thing,” I said.

“I don’t but due to the circumstances, this is best. I don’t want you to have to do anything but rest. The same goes for your sisters.”

It was a little after midnight and we were sitting near the fireplace making casual conversation when the doorbell rang. Dianna appeared a few moments later notifying us that a representative from Bergforg Goodman had arrived with clothes for Lia and Bianca. They excused themselves.

“Thank you for everything Aiden. I can’t begin to say how much your being here means,” I said.

“No need to thank me and don’t worry about RPH, that’s all been taken care of too. Just focus on you and your sisters.”

RPH hadn’t crossed my mind since having received Lia’s call about Mom.

“I think you should try to get some sleep,” Aiden said, reaching for my hand. I rushed over to hug Lia and Bianca when they returned and told them I would see them in the morning.

Aiden and I entered his bedroom and my eyes fell upon the vast bed. The most recent encounter when we attempted the guise of f*ck buddies flashed before my eyes. After hours of uncontrollable lust and indescribable orgasms, I’d slipped away as he slept. I’d been angry with him for not reaching out to me afterwards but perhaps he’d kept silent because of his own anger with me for walking out on him.

“Would you like to take a bath?” he asked.

“No, I think I’ll take a shower.”

“Okay, I need to make a couple of calls. I’ll be here when you’re done,” he said.

“Who could you possibly call at this hour?” I asked.

“It’s mid-morning on the other side of the world.” He kissed me on the forehead and I walked to the bathroom. I’d forgotten that he’d been out of the country and I was sure that his quick departure to be here with me had placed a huge wrinkle in his schedule.

I stepped into the massive shower and adjusted the spray settings. The gentle stream of hot water began to flow over me, soothing my frantic nerves. This day didn’t seem real. My mother was dead, my sisters were now my responsibility and my father, well who knew where he was or if he was even alive. And here I was standing in Aiden Raine’s shower. I had shunned him for weeks and most recently slipped out of his bed without a word, yet here he was providing comfort for me and my sisters, without my ever having to ask. I burst into tears, the crippling waves of despondency drowning me. I wept for it all … the lost time, the broken relationships, and my remaining family. The tears eventually ceased; I wasn’t sure how because the feelings that triggered them were still there. I looked at the drain and imagined my tears escaping, taking the despair of this day with them.