Page 43 of Aidan (The Doherty Mafia)
“And then when I got here, Aldo Baron and his guys jumped on me out of the blue. At first, I had no idea what they were talking about. They locked themselves in my apartment, completely overpowering me. They threatened me. Hurt me. Then it became very clear that they knew everything about me. And you. They knew about our relationship. Aldo said he had me followed and tracked all these years. That he likes to keep track of all his business associates and the people in their lives so he can use that information when and if he needs to at a later date.”
I shuddered as I spoke, because I could recall the exact moment when Aldo Baron confronted me. The things he had said. I could still feel those exact sensations of fear and helplessness. I felt so alone. Like anything could have happened to me and nobody would’ve known or found out.
It had reminded me how truly alone I was in the world.
Aidan’s eyes had grown heavy and dark. He studied me closely, probably trying to figure out if I was lying or not.
I wasn’t lying. I told him exactly what happened. The threats that were made. The way Aldo had trapped me in a corner.
The only thing I didn’t tell him was about the pregnancy and the baby I had given up. I didn’t tell him how Aldo had used that against me too.
I knew I had to be honest with Aidan, but I still had to consider the consequences of telling him everything.
“They threatened to kill my mother. In a horrible way that would make her death far from peaceful. She doesn’t deserve that.” With those words, I broke down.
As much as I had tried, I couldn’t keep it together anymore. It was too hard. It was exhausting. I kept up appearances and put on a show of being calm for the past week, but now I couldn’t anymore.
The truth was out there. Aidan knew I was spying on him. That I was working for his enemy. I didn’t have to hide it anymore. Whatever punishment came my way, I deserved it.
I covered my face with my hands while I sobbed wildly.
“They said I had to get close to you. That I had to find whatever information I could on you and your family. Information they could use against you. I didn’t even know what I was looking for. I just…did what they asked me to, because I had to protect my mother. I know we’ve had our issues in the past and she did some horrible things to me. I know she was manipulative and I’ll never forgive her for that, but she’s my mother.”
I dragged my hands away from my face. I didn’t care anymore about how ugly I looked when I cried. He got to see one of my ugliest sides anyway.
“And no matter what she’s done in her lifetime, she doesn’t deserve to die a horrible painful death because of me. I can’t…I don’t want to be responsible for something like that. Nobody deserves to be murdered because of me.”
I shook as I burst into more sobs.
I wasn’t trying to garner Aidan’s sympathy. I knew he wouldn’t have any for me. After all, I didn’t deserve any of it from him.
He sat so still like a statue that for a few moments, I wondered if he’d even heard all the things I said. Did he understand what I said? Did he care?
I wiped my cheeks and breathed in deeply. I had to compose myself. I didn’t want him thinking I put on an act to sway him. I held my chin up, looking at him down my nose.
“I’m willing to do whatever you think I should do. Punish me however you want, I’ll take it. I know I deserve it. Just please, Aidan. I’m begging you, leave my mother out of this. She doesn’t have long to live. Just let her die naturally and in peace.” My lips quivered as I met his steady cold gaze.
I didn’t expect him to honor my request. I expected him to be ruthless.
Then he squared his shoulders, filling his lungs with the same air I breathed. Finally, said something and I had goosebumps all over my skin.
I didn’t want to know…
“Leah, I’m going to make sure nothing happens to your mother.”
Twenty-Three
Aidan
Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that either.
I knew there was something up.
Ever since I’d seen that guy talking to Leah, I’d known there was more to that scene than I allowed myself to assume.
I just kept making excuses on Leah’s behalf because I wanted to keep seeing her. Because I liked having her back in my life. Most of all, I liked fucking her and I wanted to keep fucking her.
But there were no excuses to be made. She’d admitted to everything. She told me exactly what Aldo Baron’s connection to her was. She spied on me for the Barons.
