The man offers a nervous smile, then approaches as Maddock had done, only he comes all the way to the stairs. “I must say, it’s an honor to meet you, sir,” he says, holding out his hand for Aiden to shake and absolutely beaming when he comes down the stairs to take it. “I feel as if I’m meeting a legend.”
Aiden shakes his head, still uncomfortable with the attention, as well as with the idea that anyone observing could see what we are to each other and use it as leverage the way Tom did.. “Appreciate that, but—”
“I don’t have all day,” Maddock snaps, actually going so far as to stomp his foot. “Let’s get on with it.”
The reporter gives Aiden an embarrassed smile before moving away to take his place, giving me time to take mine at Aiden’s side before he announces, “Cypress will be serving as my second.”
“Fine,” Maddock replies, then gestures toward Arty. “He’ll be mine.”
Aiden and I both look toward Arty, and I have the distinct impression that the young man wouldmuchrather beanythingbut Maddock’s second.
“Hello,” he says quietly, appearing even more beaten down now, and I can only imagine how much of a role Maddock has played in that. “Sorry about…” Arty jumps when Maddock calls his name and scurries off to stand near the journalist on the other side of the road.
“Think we should probably have Cypress call it,” Aiden offers, frowning after the young man before turning to Maddock, who is already waiting in the middle of the wagon path out front. “That fine by you?”
“Yes, fine,” Maddock says, waving his hand. “Stop stalling.”
Aiden rolls his eyes, but then says quietly to me, “Just in case…”
“Wolf—”
He gives me a look and I fall silent, knowing I won’t want to miss whatever he thinks he needs to say.
“Just in case things don’t go the way we planned…” he says, appraising me with so much open affection in his eyes that it’s tangible. “I’d follow you again.”
I smile, not believing for one instant that this moment will be our last, but I tell him anyway, “So would I.”
With one last long stare, Aiden turns, walking out to stand back to back with Maddock and looking every bit the legend he’d prefer not to be.
“Ten paces,” I call out, my voice steady.
“One.” Aiden and Maddock both take a step forward.
“Two.” Another, and the space between them widens, Aiden’s shadow behind him.
“Three.” How did he do this alone for so long?
“Four.” How can I make sure he never does this again?
“Five.” He’ll be all right. I know he will.
“Six.” Fate would not make me wait so long only to take him from me so soon.
“Seven.” This isn’t the end.
“Eight.” It’s a beginning.
“Nine.” Aiden takes a step, and Maddock takes…off, absolutelysprintingin the same direction as the coach, and as fast as he’s going, he might just catch it.
“Well, guess that’s that,” Aiden says as soon as I come to stand next to him to watch the rest of Maddock’s retreat. “Bet he’s wishing he hadn’t brought that reporter now.”
“Somewhat anticlimactic,” I agree, having to squint now to see the small man in the distance. “Must not think he’s so untouchable after all. Too bad. Really was hoping you were going to shoot him.”
“Waste of a bullet,” Aiden mutters, shaking his head. “Plus, I think we’ve had plenty of climaxes for a while.”
“Well…maybe a few more wouldn’t…” I trail off as he rolls his eyes.
“Suppose I set you up for that one.”