Love notes by Avis Exley Read Free Book Online Page B

voice
soften. “I’m worn out and have a lot to think about. All I want to
do is collapse into bed.”
    “Well good luck with that.”
    Aiden nodded toward the front
door, drawing Erika’s attention to a furious Marty Cooper advancing
on the car with angry strides. They both got out to face him and
Aiden moved protectively in front of Erika, blocking Marty’s path
with his body. As if Aiden didn’t exist, Marty sidestepped him and
lunged at Erika.
    “Where the hell have you been?”
he demanded, reaching round Aiden to grab her arm. “I’ve been going
out of my mind….”
    Marty didn’t have time to finish
his sentence before Aiden was on him, pinning him back against the
car with his arm across his throat, and looking as though he’d
gladly choke the life out of Marty Cooper given the slightest
excuse.
    “Lay one finger on her and I’ll
end you,” Aiden warned through gritted teeth, pulling Marty clear
of the car and slamming him back again, knocking the breath out of
him. “Let me hear you raise your voice to her, or make her do
something she doesn’t want to, and I swear I won’t be held
responsible.”
    Aiden loomed over Marty,
terrifying in his anger. Every muscle tensed as he fought against
the urge to land a punch. Erika tried to push herself between them
but Aiden was too strong and she gave up, shouting at him
instead.
    “Get off him,” she begged,
pulling vainly at Aiden’s arm. “Please, Aiden. He’s not worth
it.”
    The sound of her voice somehow
broke through and Aiden let Marty go so suddenly he staggered
before righting himself and backing off to a safe distance.
    “Who the hell are you?” Marty
demanded, pulling Erika in front of him as a shield.
    “Aiden Thirstan,” he said
boldly, wanting to ensure Marty heard and remembered his name.
    “Aiden’s an old friend.” Erika
tried to placate Marty who’d regained some bravado and looked like
he was spoiling for a fight. “Aiden and I bumped into each other
this morning and went for a walk.”
    “It’s three o’clock. You’ve been
gone all day. I thought you’d been abducted by a crazy fan.”
    “I’m sorry, Marty. I should have
left a message but, as you can see, I’m fine.” Erika prayed Aiden
wouldn’t say anything. The last thing she needed was a full scale
row before she’d had chance to process everything Aiden had told
her over lunch. “Let’s go back to your suite and order tea.” She
took Marty’s arm and steered him back toward the hotel but Aiden
stepped out in front of them.
    “Don’t go.” He spoke urgently to
Erika. “I need to know you’re all right.”
    “She says she’s fine.” Marty
answered for her. “And if you don’t get out of my way, I’ll call
the cops and report you for assault.”
    Aiden faced him down, almost
daring him to dial. “I don’t remember asking you.”
    He glared at Marty, his lips
taut and jaw tight with fury, before turning his attention on
Erika. His pale hazel eyes searched her face for some suggestion of
fear or reluctance, ready to leap to her defence if she needed it
but she stood firm.
    “Truly. I’m fine.” She placed a
hand on Aiden’s arm, raised her chin and gave him a look that
showed far more confidence than she felt, silently begging him to
let her handle Marty. After all, five years of dealing with his
moods had made her the expert. “I’ll sort this out. It’s not a
problem.”
    The idea of abandoning Erika to
the man who seemed set upon destroying her health and embezzling
her fortune obviously made Aiden uncomfortable and he hesitated,
ignoring Marty’s complaints as he struggled to work out what was
going on inside Erika’s head. Aiden’s expression conveyed a hundred
silent thoughts – asking her to reconsider and warning her to be
careful – but Erika didn’t waver.
    Aiden had no choice but to
agree. “Room 115,” he told her. He took her mobile phone and tapped
in his own number. When he eventually stepped aside he was so
obviously