Chapter 32
AIDEN
TWO WEEKS LATER
I ’d spent the past two weeks going back and forth with Seuter’s lawyers trying to hash out a final settlement agreement.
After discussing it at length with Jared and Alex, he agreed to the final figure.
While he wanted Seuter to admit his guilt, Jared understood the reality of the situation.
Haley was complicit but not stupid. She had kept detailed communications from her recent interactions with Seuter, and we felt confident that he would be charged with harassment and conspiracy to commit murder.
Until our contact at the FBI let us know that Seuter was going to be offered a deal in exchange for information on the trafficker. Any other charges would be set aside.
That was a tough reality for Jared to deal with, but that was the legal system for you. To catch the bigger evil, sometimes you had to shake hands with the devil.
I could only hope that given the media and the FBI deal, Seuter’s life as he knew it would be ruined. Including his finances.
So we finalized the deal, $13 million, and signed it. It was done.
And now it was time to head home.
My parents had stayed on for a week and then flew to Singapore before heading back to the UK.
Jared finished wrapping up his film ahead of schedule and just over budget, which pleased him.
Standing in the first-class airport lounge, I’d never dreaded heading home so much in my life.
But I had other clients that needed my attention, and Jared and Alex had their own lives to get back to in L.A.
We’d made plans to meet up in London in a month’s time, so I had to take solace in that.
I held Jared in my arms, holding tight. Alex stood beside us, rubbing my back.
“What have you got planned when you get to L.A.?” I asked him.
Jared reared his head back and a piece of his hair slipped out of his bun. I gently pushed it behind his ear and smiled down at him.
“I’m going to sleep for three days and then start the promo plans with my media rep. And Alex and I are going to hike some canyons and maybe go for a climb.”
“You’ve caught the rock-climbing bug?” I teased.
“Not quite. I just want to watch Alex flex his ass in those tight shorts.”
I chuckled and kissed him.
“Send me pictures. And text me. And call. As soon as you arrive home. Lexi, make sure?—”
“I’ve got it Aiden,” Alex declared, stepping closer.
I quickly glanced around. Kiernan was waiting by the door, typing away on his phone.
“I’m going to miss you so fucking much,” I whispered and blinked back tears.
Jared slid his hands into my hair and pulled me down for a demanding kiss that had me rethinking my flight destination.
“Attention, Flight 361 to Heathrow. First class passengers please report to the departure gate.”
I reluctantly pulled myself away from Jared and turned to Alex.
“Your home security was updated?” I asked.
Alex nodded. “Yes, sweetheart, I told you. It’s all been looked after.”
I slid my arms around his waist. “Call me anytime, my love. I mean it. If you wake up at night and can’t sleep, call me. I don’t care what time it is.”
Alex smiled in that way of his that was reserved for me and Jared only. The thought of not seeing his face in person for weeks had my chest tighten.
“I love you,” he whispered and leaned in to take my lips.
“I love you too.” I kissed him back and then turned back to Jared. “I love you. Don’t forget me once you’re back in La-La Land.”
“Impossible.”
“Don’t talk rubbish,” Alex growled, reverting to his usual grumpy self.
I chuckled and finally let go of them, but it was physically painful for me to step away.
Interested passengers walked past us, but I didn’t give a fuck if they were shocked at what they saw.
I reached for my bag and my laptop case while I swallowed down the huge lump in my throat.
All three of us hugged again and shared more kisses.
“I have to go.”
I stepped away. And they did too. We shared one last wave before I left the lounge. This time for good.
And every step closer to the gate, my feet got heavier.
By the time I boarded and we finally took off, I was anxious.
I let myself have one drink and hoped that it might soothe the ache inside me.
It did not.
I distracted myself with work. I caught up on all my emails and booked upcoming meetings.
I worried that once I was back home, the trip, my boyfriends, all of this, would disappear, like a fevered dream.
Twenty-three hours later, I landed in London.
Everything was the same yet so different. I was adrift, my mind thousands of miles and hours away.
I entered my condo late at night and was welcomed by the smell of stale air.
No movement, just silence, and the glow of the light above the stove. Even though I knew my housekeeper had come in to clean and stock up my fridge, the place felt entirely too big and quiet.
Three bedrooms and three baths was huge by London city standards and for one person. I’d never found it so before.
But now, I just wanted to crawl into my bedroom and stay there, under the covers, for a week.
Was I coming down with something? I’d already self-diagnosed my symptoms and guess what?
The trip hadn’t been a dream.
And falling for Jared and Alex had changed more than just my view on love.
As I unpacked, my phone chimed.
I picked it up and laughed when I saw a picture of Alex and Jared on their plane. Alex was asleep and Jared was kissing his cheek. I saved the photo and responded.
Aiden: I wish I was there with you
Jared: One day soon, I promise
Doubts and fears began to rise to the surface as I thought about what would be best for my men.
Was it really me?
I was a commitment-phobe, except when it came to work. A snarky, sometimes obnoxious SOB. Jared was…He could have anyone. Alex too.
Why me? Why us?
Jared: Don’t even think of running away or acting like the past month and a half didn’t happen. We love you, and we’re going to find a way to be together. All three of us.
Jared knew me all too well.
Aiden: I miss you so much. Call me when you get home, my love.
Jared: Will do, honey. xoxo
I sat on my bed and stared at the photo. Then I stretched out and closed my eyes. I reached my hand out, but the bed was cold, empty.
The next thing I knew, it was morning, the sunlight beaming down on me. I rolled over and looked at my mobile. It was just after 7.
I went through my usual motions—shower, espresso, suit—and headed for the Tube.
I could’ve taken a ride share, but I needed the walk. The frenetic pulse of the city was also a welcoming distraction.
When I arrived at the office at 8:30, Lairin was already at her desk. The rest of the office was quiet.
“Good morning,” I greeted her.
Lairin turned and smiled at me. “Welcome back. Good flight?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “The longest of my life. Exceedingly boring. What’s up with you?”
“While I’d love to chat and ask you all about your trip, the partners have called an emergency meeting. They want you in the boardroom, now.”
“It is a new case?”
Lairin looked around and lowered her voice. “I tried to find out, but no one’s talking. Whatever it is, it’s big.”
“Whatever it is, I’ll deal with it,” I replied.
I headed into my office and dropped off my laptop then walked down the hallway towards the boardroom.
I was one of four partners at Fulman, Furrow, Barstock & Alden. Three men and one woman. Anthony Fulman and David Furrow were twenty years my senior. Great legal brains but terribly old fashioned when it came to the firm. I’d been after them for years to diversify our workplace.
All my lambasting had been for naught.
Helena Alden, on the other hand, was my age, and the one I got on with best. She’d gone to school in the US, and then Cambridge, and was well-liked, and great with the media.
Like any partnership, our law firm had seen plenty of rows over the years about cases that we should—or should not—take on.
Maybe another one was brewing at this very moment.
I walked into the room and felt the eyes of my partners on me. Unlike every other time, their stares were not welcoming.
In fact, they were downright cold and hostile. My gut clenched, but I refused to show any concern.
“Good morning.” I nodded as I unbuttoned my jacket and sat down opposite Fulman and Farrow. “What’s on the discussion roster today?”
“This.” Fulman’s voice boomed as he slapped a newspaper down in front of me. “We want an explanation. Now.”
I looked at the picture of me, Jared, and Alex at the airport.
Hollywood Director in Love Triangle with his Lawyer and Bodyguard.
“They’ve got it wrong,” I replied calmly. “It’s not a triangle, it’s a throuple. Bloody tabloids can’t get anything right. And who the hell reads physical newspapers anymore?”
“This is not a joke, Aiden!” Farrow bellowed as his face turned an alarming shade of purple. “You involved in some salacious affair with a client is a breach of ethics. A stain on this firm that is not acceptable!”
“He’s no longer my client. The lawsuit was settled.”
“I don’t care! You want to talk about optics and our social presence, well here it is. Our clients may be front page news for tawdry scandals, but we are expected to live to a higher standard.”
I turned to Helena, and she shook her head.
“Personally, I don’t care. But professionally, this doesn’t look good, Aiden.
On any of us. Even if he’s no longer your client, news of the lawsuit is still making the rounds.
The perception is what counts. And risking your legal reputation because of some affair?—”
“It’s not an affair. These men are my partners. The ones I am in a relationship with. I am committed to them. And I will not have my personal life dictated by the members of this firm. He’s no longer my client, there is no issue.”
Fulman shook his head. “We don’t agree. You are being put on leave, effective immediately. At least until this…this…disgusting matter is dealt with.”
His calling what I shared with Alex and Jared ‘disgusting’ made my temper snap.
“No need. I want out. Pay me my share of the earnings and take my name off the fucking door!”
“Aiden, now wait, that’s a drastic step. We’re talking about you taking a couple of weeks off, so this whole thing can be forgotten—” Helena started.
“No,” I said as I stood up. “This is the best decision I’ve made in ages.
I’ve worked my arse off for over a decade.
And I’ve brought in more clients and more money to this firm than all three of you combined these past two years.
This firm would be in the red if it weren’t for me.
Should I have gotten involved with Jared and Alex?
From your point of view, and everyone else’s, no.
But personally, I wouldn’t change a bloody thing.
And I won’t hide who I love. Do up the paperwork and send it to my home address. Good day.”
I stalked out of the boardroom and headed for my office. My entire body was shaking but I was determined in my decision.
“Lairin, I’ve quit! Could you please box up all my belongings and have them shipped to my home?”
“You’ve what?” she yelled as she looked at me with panicked eyes.
“News of my relationship with Jared and Alex is now public, and as such, the partners wanted me to take a leave of absence. Ethically, I crossed a line, I admit it. But I have no regrets.”
“If you’re going, I’m going,” she insisted as she ran a hand through her violet hair.
“I can’t offer you the kind of salary the firm does. Fuck’s sake, I can’t offer anything at all at this moment.”
“Once you establish your own practice, you will. I have faith in you.”
“That’s more than I have. I don’t know what the hell I’ve just done. I suspect I will come to a frightening realization at two in the morning and will wail uncontrollably.”
“I doubt it. You are the soul of this place, and you bring in most of the money. Do what feels right to you.”
I looked at my office, the place that had been my home away from home for so many years. Then I glanced at the photo on my lockscreen and I smiled at the picture of my lovers.
Perhaps what had happened in that boardroom wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction. Perhaps this unsettled feeling had been brewing for quite some time and this was just the right opportunity to say, ‘Enough. It’s time to move on.’
Lairin smiled at me.
Then, we packed up my desk.