Page 73 of Bitter Lies

“What?” For a heartbeat, Ryan’s gaze leaves the road, his eyes burning into Aiden with a furious glare. “No. It’s my job to protect her. I take that seriously. I don’t like you. It’s that simple. You’re a liability putting her at greater risk, making my job harder.”

“Too fucking bad.” Aiden drags me back with him as he presses the button to raise the private screen. “I’m here to stay. Get used to it. Invest in earplugs if you don’t enjoy hearing her scream my name.”

“Aiden!” I shriek as my hands fly up to cover my face.

The window closes, cutting off any response Ryan may have wanted to say. He’s been with me since my first days in Oxford, when I was accepted into the medical program. So, I know him well and can say my next words with confidence.

“Ryan doesn’t have a thing for me.”

Aiden gives a sharp shake of his head. “You’re wrong. I see how he looks at you. He most certainly does.”

He’s wrong, and I make sure he knows that. “No, he doesn’t. I’m not his type.”

“You’re every man’s type,” Aiden grumbles.

“I doubt that. But I know I’m not his.” Normally I wouldn’t find it my place, but I need Aiden to chill out. “He’s gay.”

“No, he’s not.” With his arms folded, Aiden wears a pensive expression. “Did he tell you this?”

“No.” There’s only one way to get him off Ryan’s back. “He’s dating one of the male doctors I work with. I hear all about it when we work together. How Ryan rocks his world and makes him see stars on a bright sunny day.”

“That’s unprofessional. He shouldn’t be fucking anyone associated with his charge.” Aiden’s acidic tone reveals his annoyance. “And that means nothing. He could be bi.”

“He could, I guess.” Is he serious? “It’s not like we’ve sat down and discussed his dating preferences. But you have to have faith in me. Even if you don’t trust him, trust me. I never got the impression he was interested in me or any other woman romantically. I have, however, watched how he looks at Billy and, well… you.”

“Me?” He blinks slowly, as if he finds that absurd. “What do you mean?”

I can’t help but snicker as I bring him up to speed. “If he has a thing for anyone… it’s you, not me.”

“I’m not available.”

A shiver runs down my spine when he touches my thigh.

“There’s only one person I want, and she’s a stubborn woman who drives me to my breaking point.”

His words send heat to my core but now is not the time to jump him. “About my grandmother.”

His dark brown eyes hold mine, their warmth melting me from the inside out. “I’ll take care of her. If she gets released while you’re gone, I’ll stay with her, or if the penthouse is unlivable, I’ll bring her home with me.”

“Why? Why would you do that? Don’t you have bad guy stuff to do?”

He shrugs. “She can go with.”

“Aiden, no.” I laugh, but there’s very little humor in it. “That’s not funny.”

Those fucking hidden dimples pop as a smile breaks across his face, lighting it up. “I can make it work. And if I have to go do bad guy shit, I’ve got people I trust who will sit vigil outside wherever your grandmother is staying. You mentioned a live-in nurse, right?”

How does he remember that? I briefly mentioned my worry about balancing caregiving with work. Nothing new could be rearranged until she’s released, but her current nurse is ready when that time comes.

I’m reluctant about letting Grams stay in the penthouse once it’s been deemed safe but convincing her to move will be difficult. She won’t understand why. I fear she won’t remember that her husband is dead. Her memory is unreliable, blending past and present together.

“You’re sure?” I do my best to stay in the moment and not get ahead of myself. “She might not always remember who you are?”

I can’t help but giggle at what I’m about to reveal.

“It’s very possible she’ll flirt with you. Or…” a snicker makes me pause. “Or she could walk around the penthouse in the nude, and trust me, that’s something you can’t unsee.”

Undeterred, he brings my hand to his lips. “I’m sure. Your grandmother’s grown on me, and I feel very protective of her. She doesn’t act out on purpose. Her mind is lost in a fog. No one should hold any of that against her. Anyone who does should be ashamed of themselves.”