Aiden's Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page B

the woman he’d put in danger. His fun had done a complete one eighty and turned into a nightmare.

Chapter Seven
     
    His body stiffened as Elle watched his face change from a look of aggravation to one of horror. The grip he held on her hips tightened and became painful and he freed her somewhat when she winced. The caller clearly shared bad news.
    “ Everything okay?” She grabbed his hands wishing she could comfort him, wishing she could smooth out the worry lines creasing his forehead.
    He finally looked into her eyes and spoke after what seemed like forever. “I’m sorry, Elle. I should've known better than to get involved.”
    Of course. “I understand your work comes first. You save lives. There’s no reason to apologize for that.”
    His gazed darted away before he looked at her with regret. “That’s not why I’m sorry. I’ve put you in danger with my carelessness.”
    She attempted to swallow the large lump in her throat. When Anya told her she needed adventure, danger never came to mind.
    “ What do you mean by danger?” Maybe he lied about being a cop. After all, Elle had never seen a cop who looked as sexy as him and surely not one who showed interest in a boring, overweight girl.
    M ore than one scenario fluttered through her head and she started to shake. What if the criminal he was supposedly searching for was really him? She should've stayed home.
    Aiden held his hands up. “I’m not going to hurt you, Elle. You’re in danger because I’ve been tracking a murderer who it seems is also tracking me. I was supposed to be working tonight and I fucked up.” Grabbing her hands, his gaze seemed to look straight through her. “He saw me tonight. With you. I’m afraid you could be his next target.”
    Murderer. His next target? Her throat closed. Shaking her head, she stepped back only to bump into someone else. She jumped and nearly ended up back in Aiden’s arms. Her parents were murdered.  Elle couldn't handle knowing someone was after her.
    Moving through the crowd , she searched for Anya as the crowded club closed around her. Suddenly she couldn’t move without touching someone. What if the murderer was still watching them? What if he was waiting for her to bump into him? The door! She ran for the door at full speed. Outside, she took a deep breath.
    Aiden stepped in front of her and she went into his open arms. “I’ll keep you safe, Elle. Nothing and no one will harm you.”
    The warmth of him and his words seeped in to rid the cloud of fear choking her. She needed her best friend. “Please find Anya. I can’t go back in there.”
    “ I didn’t see her but I’m calling Nicolas now.” Aiden didn’t sound happy.
    “ No answer.” He gripped her hand and pulled her toward his black SUV.
    Elle looked at her phone and saw a text from Anya. “She text me that she was home. Alone.”
    “ Good. We have to go now.” His worried voice hit her hard.
    This couldn't happen to her.
    His lips met hers before he reached across her lap to buckle her seat belt. “I'll protect you. Calm down.”
    His words sent a wave of relief through her body and she took a deep breath. It surprised her at how calm she felt and how much she trusted him to protect her.
    ****
    Nicolas didn't miss a call because Aiden didn't call him. While Aiden hated to deceive Elle, sex had never been a suitable excuse when competing against their job. If Nicolas has gone rogue, it was reason enough. Not that Aiden would chance communicating to his cousin with Elle at his side.
    At least he knew that her friend was safe. Not only did she text Elle but she wasn't redheaded like the victim.
    Elle had no way of knowing how much danger Aiden put her in. A vampire turned rogue hunting her?  An animal that cared for nothing but the kill?  It would be unfathomable.
    Could Nicolas really be the rogue?
    Protecting Elle became Aiden’s new goal. So the attraction he felt for her had to stay just that. An attraction. Aiden hadn't