Page 67 of Fractured Fate

Leaving meant danger for her family from more than one direction. She couldn’t do it no matter how scared she felt.

Aiden sighed as he took in her expression. “You’re serious about staying.”

“I am.”

“Then so am I.”

“You’re what?”

“I’m staying with you.”

She blinked once. Twice. Three times. Did he suggest moving in with her? Surely not.

“What are you talking about?”

His thumb brushed a lingering tear from her cheek. “Until this gets sorted out, and the police catch this guy, I’m going to stay here.” He paused and seemed to consider his words. “If you’ll let me, that is.” His face held that sheepish look, paired with the nervous quality of his tone again.

“I don’t have anywhere for you to stay.” She looked around. “I can’t expect you to drop your life for this—for me.”

“I’m not. I’m bored out of my mind with everyone hooking up. Whenever Dom and Layla—”

“Dom?”

“Ah, you haven’t met him. His name is actually Dominic. He’s a transfer. We met him in Europe on our school trip. Nice guy. He does stuff with us, so maybe you’ll get to meet him when you’re down next.” He shifted his eyes away. He didn’t look too thrilled with the idea. Weird. “Anyway, whenever they aren’t with us, I feel like a seventh wheel to all the couples.” He leaned back on his hands on the bed. “I mean, we have fun. But I do not take pleasure in watching my sister stuff her tongue down someone’s throat.”

She giggled. It felt good to laugh, even though the world was collapsing around her. His smile in response to her laugh made her stomach flutter.

“We’re out for the summer now. I’ve got the rest of this month and next. If they haven’t sorted this by then, we’ll figure it out when the time comes.”

“What about your things?”

“I can buy clothes and things I need. I’ve got my laptop, which is the only thing I’d miss.”

She rolled her eyes and smiled.

Instead of driving eight hours total to get his things for two months, he would buy completely new things. He had seemed nothing like his sister Riley until then. She had a shopping addiction and didn’t blink twice at spending money on new things when she already had so much already. Charlotte didn’t think badly of Riley for it, but she didn’t understand the lifestyle. Not that she didn’t love shopping. Splurging on the occasional treat or new outfit made her happy—splurging on a game made her giddy—but she would take the inconvenience of the drive before spending her grocery money. Of course they didn’t have to make a choice.

And there came the reminder of where she didn’t fit in their world. She didn’t even understand it.

A rapid series of hard knocks sounded on her door, jerking her from the spiral she had started down.

“Athens-Clarke County, open up!”

She slid a nervous glance at Aiden, and he stood, hand touching her shoulder to steady her.

“I’ll let them in.”

While Aiden let the officers in, she took a moment to compose herself.

As heavy footsteps approached, she looked up at the shorter officer from this morning.

“Afternoon, ma’am. Didn’t think we’d be seein’ you again today,” he said in greeting, an easy-going smile on his face.

Her smile was as forced as her laugh. “No offense, but I hoped to never need to.”

“None taken. No one wants to deal with this situation.” He cleared his throat. “So your boyfriend here tells me y’all came home to find it like this?”

Her eyes widened, and she darted a glance to Aiden, who looked just as surprised by the officer’s assumption.