Aiden
I SAT AT my desk, unable to concentrate. I knew I would never forget the look on Cami’s face when I finally got the balls to tell her what I felt.
The words hung in the air between us. For some reason, I couldn’t let her walk away without saying them. Without letting her know how much she meant to me. As they sank in and her expression changed from confusion to understanding, euphoric was the only word I could think of. Never mind sunshine; she transformed into a fucking sunbeam as she clutched my wrists and tears spilled down her cheeks. I had braced myself for the panic, the denial that uttering the words would bring, but there was none. Instead, there was only a strong, abiding feeling of it being right.
We were right.
She was what I needed in my life, and I was done denying it.
Denying her.
Laughing, I swung her around in my arms, then cupped her face again, dropping light kisses all over her cheeks, eyes, nose, and finally, kissing her hard, pouring all the love I felt into that kiss. Though I was not one for public displays, even the catcalls directed our way couldn’t stop me.
I set her back on her feet, meeting her glowing eyes. “I love you, Sunshine.”
“I love you right back.”
“I know.” I exhaled hard. “It’s the greatest thing in the whole fucking world.”
My phone beeped, and I shook my head. “That will be Bent. You need to get to class.”
“You’ll be here later?”
I pulled her in for one last hug. “I’ll always be here, Sunshine. You’re stuck with me now.”
She winked and turned to walk away. “I think I can handle you,” she threw over her shoulder.
I had to laugh. If anyone could, it was Cami.
I lifted my phone to my ear. “I’m on my way, Bent. Hold your horses.”
He chuckled. “Just letting you know Maddox showed up. He’s better, but he looks like hell. We’re meeting over lunch.”
“Okay.”
“Everything go all right?”
I glanced toward Cami’s disappearing figure. From across the parking lot, she turned and waved, then hurried into the building. I already missed her.
I climbed into the car, shaking my head over how pussy-whipped I had become overnight. I grinned, though, because I didn’t really care.
“Yeah. Everything’s good. See you soon.”
I hadn’t seen anyone except Sandy, who handed me some files and offered a cup of coffee, which I gratefully accepted. When she brought it in, she slid a plate onto my desk with two of my favorite lemon Danish pastries on it.
“Special occasion?”
She grinned. “I think it must be. Cami called and asked if I would get these for you.”
I looked down, and the horrible feeling I was about to blush in front of Sandy filled my head.
“What else did she say?”
“Nothing. I was pleased to hear she was doing well considering what she went through yesterday. I’m not blind, Aiden. I have never seen you look this . . . happy.” She patted my shoulder. “Just remember, you deserve to be.”
With a wink, she sashayed out of my office, leaving me to my thoughts.
A few minutes later, Bentley strolled in, promptly sitting in front of my desk. I finished swallowing my treat and grinned at him. “Sorry, all gone.”
“Big surprise.”
Maddox walked in, looking terrible. His nose was red, and he looked tired. He sat down heavily, regarding me seriously. “Are you all right?” he rasped out.
“Better than you.”
He waved his hand. “I’m okay. Cami? She okay? Dee was freaking on the phone last night.”
I exchanged a glance with Bentley. I wondered how often the two of them spoke while she was gone.
“I spoke with Dee this morning. Cami is fine. She’s strong.” I rubbed a hand over my chin. “Although I’m not sure she will ever want to live in that apartment again. She couldn’t go into her bedroom to get some clothing. I had to do it for her.”
“Dee said the same thing.”
I glanced at Bentley. “I was thinking of the two-bedroom units in the building Maddox lives in. We keep a couple of them for out-of-town business guests. We rarely use them. Do we really need two?”
He didn’t hesitate. “No. We could let them have one.”
Both Maddox and I spoke at the same time. “They won’t accept it for free.”
He chuckled. “Of course not. They’re as stubborn as Emmy. We’ll charge them what they pay now. It sits empty anyway, so really, they’re helping us.”
Maddox cleared his throat and popped in a lozenge. “That would work.”
“You want to talk to Dee about it?”
“Sure.” He coughed. “You’ll, ah, handle Cami?”
I chuckled. “I’m not sure anyone can handle Cami.” I became serious. “I don’t think she’ll object. If she never went back there, she would be okay with it.”
“Is she okay?”
“She will be.” I sucked in a deep breath. “Bent, could you, ah, give me that number again? For Chloe?”
“For Cami?”
“For both of us.”
He dug into his pocket, bringing out his phone. “Absolutely.” He stopped. “You’ll really go and see her, Aiden?”
“Yes.”
“Cami’s staying with you again?”
I dropped my eyes. “Yeah.”
“For how long?”
I lifted my gaze. “For fucking ever if that’s what she wants.”
“Holy shit,” Maddox muttered, repeating the words I had said to Bentley on Sunday. “You did it, didn’t you?”
“I love her,” I said simply.
He sat back, shaking his head. “Jesus, I get sick and miss a couple of days, and look what happens. Bentley gets engaged, you declare your love.” He grinned. “Thank God I came back before Reid stepped up to the plate.”
We all started to laugh.
Maddox leaned forward, his hand extended. “Congrats, Tree Trunk. You deserve it.”
I shook his hand and met Bentley’s gaze.
“So the engulfing happened.” He grinned.
“Yeah.” I grinned. “It did.”
Bentley stood and rounded the desk, waiting.
“What?”
“I’m proud of you, Aiden. For taking care of Cami, admitting your feelings, and for facing your fears. I know none of it was easy.” He held out his hand. I stood, shocked, when instead of a handshake, he pulled me in for a hug.
“I’m proud of you,” he repeated in my ear.
His words were simple but profound, and they meant everything to me.
He stepped back and slapped my shoulder.
Maddox looked between us. “I am not hugging you. Even if I didn’t have a cold, I am not doing that shit.”
“Whatever, Mad Dog. You’re just jealous Bent got in first.” I held out my arms. “Come on, you know you want to.” I pounded my chest. “You want a little piece of Aiden loving too.”
“Fuck you.”
I started to laugh, and they joined in. Of the three of us, Maddox was the least fond of PDA. Bentley sat down and sent me Chloe’s number.
“Let’s get down to business so Maddox can go home. The last thing I need is to catch his cold.”
Sandy entered, a hand on her hip. “You know, if the three of you behaved like normal businessmen, I wouldn’t have to walk around the office trying to find you. You don’t have to sit around a desk having your little powwows. I set up the boardroom with your lunch.” She fixed a stern eye at Maddox. “I got you chicken soup. Eat it.”
“Thanks, Sandy.”
“You love it, woman.” I grinned at her. “Keeps you on your toes.”
“Whatever. Do you need anything else?”
“Can you dig out the files on the apartments we keep on Westside?”
“Yes, and 1740 is the nicer of the two. Better view and a great layout.”
“Okay. That one, then.”
“All right.”
We all exchanged a glance when she left. “She’s scary good.”
Bentley chuckled and stood. “Yep. And she is all ours.”
Maddox followed Bentley, and I was behind him. At my doorway, he stopped and turned sharply, grabbing me in a fast, hard hug.
“Way to go, Tree Trunk. I’m proud too.”
Then he hurried away.
Dee came home a few days later, an unexpected end coming to the case she had been working on. One female member of the family had exploded outside the courtroom, refusing to have any part of the proceedings. She had told the various family members exactly what she thought of their greediness, and somehow managed to do what no one else had done—open up the lines of communication. They settled the disputes themselves, splitting everything in a peaceful manner and bringing the tumultuous situation to a close.
We picked Dee up at the airport, with Maddox tagging along. The emotional reunion between the two sisters was touching. Dee enveloped Cami in her arms, rocking her like a child, tears running down her face. Cami’s shoulders shook with sobs. The stress of the past weeks showed in Dee’s fatigued posture and unusual emotion. She was always stoic and calm.
I felt Maddox tense when he saw her, and I heard his muttered curse. I cast a glance his way and saw the raw emotion on his face, before it smoothed out and he adopted his usual neutral expression.
There was definitely more going on between them than either was admitting.
We stood to the side, giving the girls privacy. I had done the same thing when Emmy came to see Cami. She had been emotional, hugging Cami hard, and crying. Even Bentley’s hug had been longer than usual, his formal façade disappearing as he spoke to her quietly, expressing how worried they had been. It had done my heart good to see the way people loved my girl. It made me grateful I was able to love her openly now and give her what she needed.
When they finally broke apart, Dee approached me, her voice quavering.
“I can’t begin—”
“You don’t have to.”
She flung her arms around me, and I hugged her in return.
She stepped back, wiping her eyes, and turned to Maddox. Cami and I discreetly moved away to get Dee’s luggage. I glanced over my shoulder. He had her engulfed in his arms, and he was stroking her hair while talking to her. There was no doubt it was a private moment.
Once we collected Dee’s luggage, we drove them home. I watched Cami carefully, not surprised to see her tense up when we entered the apartment. I had agreed to leave them alone for the night and let Cami talk to Dee about the place in Maddox’s building. They needed the time together, but I hated the thought of her in a place that frightened her. Sandy had arranged a cleaner, and Cami’s room was fresh and back to its normal state. Thoughtfully, Sandy had purchased new bedding as well, so all traces of Louisa were gone, but I wasn’t convinced it was enough.
Leaving Cami was difficult, and that was a new experience for me. “Call me later, all right, Sunshine?” I urged. “Anytime.” I bent my head lower, my voice quiet so only she could hear my words. “I’ll come get you if you need me to.” I paused, brushing my lips over her ear. “I love you.”
She smiled up at me, her eyes bright. “I love you too.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
Maddox dragged me away and kept me company. We worked out, ordered pizza, and sat back with some cold beer. The entire time, I thought of Cami. I had never known anyone to take over my thoughts the way she did. Since I admitted my feelings for her, it seemed a completely new side of my mind and heart had opened up, and she occupied every square inch. For the first time, I understood Bentley’s devotion to Emmy.
“Aiden.”
“Sorry, what?” I asked Maddox, twisting open the cap on another beer.
“I asked how it went with the lawyers and police.”
I took a long pull on the bottle, the icy liquid soothing the burn of the hot peppers Maddox had included in the pizza toppings. I wiped my mouth with a napkin, tossing it into the empty box.
“Rather than having to go to court and dealing with the expense of a trial, a deal was made. All parties agreed, so it was done quickly.”
“One you’re not happy about, I take it.”
I shrugged. “Louisa is being confined to a long-term mental rehab facility in Alberta. She’ll get counseling and treatment. She isn’t going to be free for a long time. When she does, she will not be allowed anywhere near Cami. Louisa’s parents, well, her father at least, is finally stepping up and admitting his daughter needs help.” I shook my head in disgust. “Cami was her biggest advocate. She didn’t want Louisa to go to jail. She wanted her to get help.”
“You wanted her to go to jail?”
“I’d lock her up and throw away the fucking key, but Cami says that wouldn’t do anyone any good. I suppose she’s right.” I picked at the label on my bottle. “She has a huge capacity for forgiveness.”
“That is a good thing considering . . .”
I chuckled dryly. “I’m well aware I have benefitted from that forgiveness.”
“You’re a lucky man.”
“I know.” I let my head fall back to the cushion. “I love her, Maddox. She’s changed me so much without even trying. It’s as if she’s brought the world into focus.”
“And she’s the center of that focus?”
I stared at him. “Exactly.”
Our eyes met and he looked away with a nod. His expression told me without words there would be no more discussion on the matter tonight.
I reached for the remote. “Netflix?”
He reached for a beer. “Yeah. We need to chill.”
I threw the remote at him as he laughed.
Dee and Cami walked around the condo, peeking in cupboards and talking quietly. They both looked exhausted.
Cami had texted me early in the morning, saying her sister had agreed to see the condo, and Dee wanted to speak to me in private.
I wasn’t sure that was a good thing. I was certain she had a few choice words for me, but I knew I deserved them.
I wanted to sweep Cami into my arms and just hold her when I saw her. Take her back to the loft and make love to her until she forgot everything except being with me. Hold her while she slept. I held myself back from doing that, though—at least for now.
Dee entered the larger of the two bedrooms and Cami brushed past me in the hall. I pulled her close briefly, then stepped into the room as she returned to the kitchen. Dee was by the windows, staring at the city below.
“This is a nice condo,” Dee murmured. “Beautiful view.”
“I agree.”
She turned, meeting my eyes. “I find it hard to believe the rent is the same as what we pay now.”
“It’s a business thing.”
She crossed her arms. “Business, as in you taking care of my sister business, Aiden?”
I mimicked her actions. “Business, as in the place is available, it’s safe, and it’s free of memories for Cami, so yes.”
She studied me for a minute, then began to talk.
“When our mom died, it was just Cami and me. I had to work, go to school, and look after her. She was just a kid, you know?”
“So were you, really. You were young to take on so much responsibility.”
She shrugged. “I hadn’t been a kid for a long time, and there was no choice. Our father wasn’t going to help look after her. She only had me. Cami was always good, though. She never complained and always tried to help. She had a paper route, collected bottles, all sorts of things when she was young. When she got older, she babysat, tutored other kids, waitressed, anything she could to help contribute. When she left school, she got a full-time job waitressing. We didn’t have the money for tuition, and she didn’t know yet what she wanted to do with her life.”
I waited, knowing she was going somewhere with this conversation.
“She quit waitressing and got a job as a PA because the money was better. I started with the law firm, although it was the lowest of the low jobs.” She chuckled. “You have to start somewhere. Cami hated the PA job almost as much as she hated waitressing. Her boss was an idiot and liked his fruit cut up for him daily. Cami was better than that. She had finally figured out she wanted to follow her passion and become a fashion designer and where she wanted to go to get her education. She has such talent.”
“I agree. She does.”
“She hated her job, but she stuck with it and saved for her tuition. She refused to let me help her. I was paying my student loans and trying to make ends meet for us. She worked as a PA and found the job at Glad Rags where she’s still working. She saved and paid her own way.”
“Like Emmy.”
“Yes.”
“That’s one of the reasons they’re so close. They’re similar in many ways.”
She hummed in agreement. “Once she went to school, the only thing she let me do was pay our rent. She contributes every month toward the bills and looks after herself financially.”
“Why are you telling me this, Dee?”
She sighed and passed a hand over her face. “She didn’t sleep all night. Even though her room is clean, she will never be able to go back in there and rest. She could barely stand getting her clothes out of the closet.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“She came into my room to sleep, but neither of us could rest. Knowing that woman had been hiding in my closet, knowing what she’d done to Cami. I could almost feel her in there with us, feel her hatred—even though I know she’s miles away and can’t hurt us.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep either.”
“Then, please, accept this place.”
“Cami has always been independent, refused to let me help her, even when I started making more money. But she’ll accept this from you.”
I studied her. “Will you?”
“Why are you doing this?” She waved her hand. “Why are you all doing this?”
I stepped forward, holding out my hands beseechingly. “Dee, I know you haven’t been happy with me, with my actions. I can’t take back my behavior. I wish I could.” I dragged a hand through my hair. “I pushed Cami away even when I wanted her close. I fought her. I fought what I felt, but I’m done fighting. I love her. I can’t deny it, and I’m tired of trying to every day. I need to make sure she’s okay. The place you’re living isn’t okay anymore. She is never going to be comfortable there again. No matter what we do to change the way it looks, she is never going to feel safe.” I swallowed heavily. “I thought I was going to lose her. I swore if she was okay I’d never to let her go. I’d take care of her.”
“You saved her.”
“She saved me right back.” I swept my arm around the room. “We, all of us, want you to have this because it’s something we can do to help. Bentley and Maddox both are onboard with this idea. It’s not charity or a handout. It’s family helping one another.”
“Family?”
“You’re Cami’s sister. I love her, which means you’re part of my family. You already were because of Emmy, but it’s more . . . personal now. I need to take care of her and you. If you let me.”
“You really want to do this for us?”
“Yes.”
“She loves with everything in her, Aiden. A little piece of her breaks when she gets let down. You’ll be good to her?”
“Always. I love her, Dee. I never thought I could love, but she’s proven me wrong. She’s everything I’ve needed and never allowed myself to hope for in my life. She’s my Sunshine.”
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “Good.”
“She’ll never want for anything. Including love. I promise.” I grabbed her hand. “Let me do this. For both of you.”
“Okay.”
With a grin, I hugged her hard. “Let’s go tell her, then head to brunch. Emmy wants to see you, and Cami’s gonna make pancakes again.”
“All right, let’s go.”
It was a fun brunch around Bentley’s table. All six of us laughing and relaxed, the way things used to be when we were together. Dee exclaimed over Emmy’s ring, hugged Bentley, and I noticed, stayed close to Maddox. Emmy cooked a feast, and I ate at least five of Cami’s pancakes. She added blueberries this time, and I informed her I needed them just that way from now on.
Her phone rang, and she glanced at the number with a frown. Excusing herself from the table, she answered as she walked away. I watched her, constantly on alert now when it came to her. However, her stance was relaxed, and she began to smile widely and talk quickly.
Returning to the table, she was almost vibrating with excitement.
“What’s up, Sunshine?”
She grasped my knee. “I won!”
“Excuse me?”
“That trip to Las Vegas! I won!” She turned to Dee and Emmy. “I call girls’ weekend in Vegas!”
There were a lot of high fives and fist bumps as Cami explained how she had won the trip. I tried to look happy, but I didn’t really feel it. The thought of the three of them going to Vegas on their own wasn’t sitting well with me, yet I was pretty sure I had no say in the matter, given they were adults. Glancing at Bentley, I could tell from the rigid set of his jaw he was thinking along the same lines as me. Even Maddox looked slightly put out.
“Isn’t it a trip for four?” I asked, remembering the day at the winery.
Cami looked confused. “Yes. Did you want the fourth? I suppose since you took me to the winery, you should have first dibs on it.”
“No, I was just wondering.”
The girls rose and started carrying dishes to the kitchen, discussing the trip animatedly. We, on the other hand, sat and stared at one another.
“I don’t like this,” I muttered.
Bentley snorted. “Me either.”
Maddox filled his coffee cup with a smirk. “I don’t think you have much choice.”
I drummed my fingers on the table. Cami’s phone beeped, and I looked at the screen, which had a text with information. “Includes coach airfare for four, accommodations, transfers to and from the airport, and five hundred dollars spending money,” I read.
“Which hotel?”
“The Travelodge.”
Bentley got out his phone, checking the hotel. His frown deepened. “I don’t fucking think so.”
“Coach.” I snorted. “Packed in like sardines.”
“Probably a cheap van service to the hotel.”
“I bet the spending money is gambling chips,” Maddox piped up, a grin on his face.
“I don’t like this,” I repeated.
“What should we do?” Bentley asked.
I thought about it. “Up the ante.”
“Now you’re talking.” Maddox smirked, egging us on.
“I like it. How?” Bentley asked.
“I think, boys, we’re going to Vegas. BAM style.”
“What does that consist of?” Maddox chuckled. “Do tell.”
“Brace yourself. We are about to misuse company funds, Mad Dog. I’ve decided I want to expand our horizons and have a look at some property in Vegas.”
Bentley chuckled, and Maddox’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. “Is that a fact?”
“Yep. We’re renting a private plane and flying all of us there. We’ll do a few land inspections while the girls hit a spa or something.”
“Not sure this is gonna fly with Revenue Canada as a business trip.”
I shrugged. “Then bill me. You figure it out, whatever way works. But it’s happening. Suites at Bellagio. Whatever side trips the girls want. An entire weekend of whatever they desire. They want Vegas? They fucking get Vegas.”
“As long as you’re with them,” Maddox added.
“You’re coming with, Mad Dog. Your girl is on board for this weekend too.”
He didn’t argue, although he mumbled something more about the company funds. I ignored him. We could look at some land while we were there. He could figure it out. He was great at figuring things out.
Bentley grinned. “BAM style, indeed.”
The girls returned from the kitchen, still chatting and excited.
“Who’s going to tell them?” I mumbled.
“You are,” Bentley and Maddox stated in unison.
I flexed my shoulders.
“Right.”
The room fell silent, my words not met with the enthusiasm I had hoped. All three girls stared at me incredulously.
“You three are certifiable, do you know that?” Cami said, aghast.
Emmy turned to Bentley. “This smacks of you, Rigid.”
Dee smirked. “You came up with all this in five minutes?”
I thought fast. “We were discussing the fact that only one of us got to accompany you. It seemed fair to broaden the plans to include everyone.”
Cami arched her eyebrow. “Perhaps we weren’t going to take any of you. We thought of asking Sandy to come with us to say thanks for all the things she has done for us.”
I met Bentley’s frantic gaze. We hadn’t factored in that decision.
“She’s busy,” I objected.
“We haven’t picked a date.”
“She’s busy every weekend. Husband, grandkids, you know. She hates flying,” Bentley interjected.
Emmy crossed her arms. “Strange. She was telling me last week of all the traveling she wants to do once she dumps your demanding ass.”
He grimaced. “She called my ass demanding?”
“You’re missing the point here, Rigid.”
“Which is?”
“Girls’ weekend.”
“You can have a girls’ weekend. We won’t bother you.”
Cami shook her head. “You’re going to fly all that way and just sit in a hotel room?”
We were losing the argument, and I needed to figure out how to convince them. “Actually, we are going to do a little business while we’re there. We were talking about it just the other day.”
Cami snorted. “Of course you were. How convenient.”
“I know. Very fortuitous.”
Emmy coughed bullshit into her hand, but I noticed she was grinning. I locked eyes with Cami. “We’ve all been going through shit, Cami. A weekend away would be great. You want to go to Vegas, we’ll go. However, we’re taking you.”
“But I won a trip. It will go to waste.”
“No, you can call them back and say you can’t go and let them redraw. Someone else can go.”
“Why do I have a feeling even if I say no, every time I turn around in Vegas, I’ll see you skulking around a corner?”
I snorted. “I won’t be skulking, Sunshine. I’ll be right behind you. You can bet your sweet ass on that fact.”
“Why is this so important to you?”
I played dirty. I bent closer, my voice low. “I thought I lost you. I’m not ready for you to be out of my sight yet. Please.”
Her expression softened, her green eyes misty. She was faltering.
“Aiden . . .”
“You know, I’ve never been on a private plane,” Dee mused, meeting my eyes with a subtle wink.
“It’s awesome,” I assured her, returning her gesture.
“I hear the Bellagio is spectacular,” Bentley said. “Completely amazing.”
“Oh,” Emmy breathed out. “That’s where we’d stay?”
“Best suite in the house, Freddy.”
I interjected, “They have notoriously big limos to pick us up and drive us anywhere too.”
Cami pursed her lips. “I want to go to the Grand Canyon.”
“Yep. They can take us.”
“With champagne?”
“Bottles of it.”
The girls all looked at each other.
Then Maddox added the icing on the cake. “I have a friend who can get us awesome tickets for the Michael Jackson tribute show. Probably backstage passes.”
And just like that, the game was over.
Blackjack.