Chapter 47 Aiden
FORTY-SEVEN
AIDEN
Raven was snoring softly, curled on her side, wearing one of my shirts. The baby was asleep in a makeshift cradle next to my side of the bed while the silence of the night reigned.
The events of the past twenty-four hours came crashing down on me, along with the startling realization that I could have lost my wife today.
The thought was terrifying.
A hand came to my back, the soft palm pressing against my skin.
“Are you alright?” Raven’s voice was raspy, and as I turned, I found her watching me.
“Yes.” She sat up in bed, her hands snaking around my waist. I covered her small hand with my big one. “I never got to tell you…” I trailed off.
Her lips pressed against my back. “Tell me what?”
“I’m yours, Raven. I’ve been yours since I put that ring on your finger.” I shifted and pulled her into a hug. “I’ll move heaven and earth for you.”
She looped her arms around my neck and pressed her lips to mine, kissing me with a desperation that flowed into my bones.
“I love you,” she whispered against my mouth, her breath stuttering.
“And I love you. I’ll always be on your side, no matter what,” I vowed.
She smiled, her breathing evening out. “You’ve already proven that over and over again, Aiden. It’s me who has to earn your trust after what I did.”
“There’ll be no more living in the past.” I placed her palm on my chest. “From now on, we handle everything together. No running, no hiding.”
She absorbed my words, the captain’s cabin illuminated by the autumn moon, throwing shadows across her face.
“I'm a bit worried,” she murmured.
“About staying put with me?” I asked, half teasing.
“No, because you’re stuck with me for life now, Aiden.” She sighed, looking so exhausted I thought she might collapse into me. “I’m worried that killing Duncan will backfire. I’m worried about Mom.” She flicked a glance to the cradle. “And I’m worried about him. He doesn’t even have a name yet.”
Her voice cracked and it fucking tore at my chest. “I can handle anyone who dares come after us for Duncan’s death.
Your mom needs time to heal. We’ll be here for her no matter what.
And your baby brother will have all the love he needs.
He’ll grow up to become a force to be reckoned with, trust me.
You don’t have to worry about him or his name. He’ll have one.”
“Are you sure you won’t mind all my baggage?”
I chuckled. “Haven’t you realized yet that I want all of you?”
I lay back against the pillows, and she smiled as she settled against me. Her eyelids drooped, and she fell into a deep sleep, her soft snores mixing with the suckling noises coming from her baby brother.
We slept tangled around each other, and it was the most at peace I’d felt in years.