I realize I can’t hear anything but birds and insects.
There are two large barns in the distance, and two paddocks that look like they were used for horses at some point. The fencing needs repair, but it’s absolutely breathtaking.
A feeling of peace settles over me as I take it all in, and I inhale a deep breath, still not understanding why we’re here.
“What I do isn’t legal,” Aiden says, looking out at the field. “We both know that. I sell guns, I run strip clubs, and I launder money, but I make a fuck ton of it. Much more than I need, and I never had any qualms about it before I met you.”
“You give girls a safe, respectful place to work when they choose to be in this industry. You’ve got more good in you than you think,” I remind him. “Other clubs don’t run like yours.”
“Maybe so, but I figured it was time to do something really good. Something completely aboveboard that will change the way we run this club. Something I can really be proud of.”
He nods toward the house with a grin. “Let’s go inside.” He picks up the bag and gently pulls me by the hand.
I take in my surroundings as we walk. The gardens and landscaping are overgrown, but I can tell they were once very beautiful and could be again. There are rosebushes and peonies, rudbeckia, and lavender bushes. The smell in the air is sweet and comforting.
“This was once a fully functioning horse ranch back in the day. General Thomas Bertrand built it in 1920 after the war, for his young bride who loved to ride. She was wheelchair bound, and he felt the horses provided comfort and a way to give her legs.”
“That’s so beautiful. I can feel the peace here. The tranquility,” I tell him, breathing in the fresh country air as he pulls an antique key from inside his cut and places it in the lock.
“It needs a lot of repairs,” he says as he pushes the door open.
I’m greeted by a vast foyer with double curving staircases and ceilings two stories high. A large antique crystal chandelier hangs over our heads, and the ceiling is ornate, with a copper finish and abundant white crown moldings.
“There are fourteen bedrooms, a library, and two full kitchens in need of renovation. There’s a full garden out back, barns for animals too, and the whole place functions off grid. There’s solar on the roof, and a well that pumps in fresh water hooked up to a purification system.”
“It’s stunning. But what are we doing here?” I ask.
“I bought it,” he says simply.
My mouth falls open. “What?”
Aiden moves closer and wraps his arms around me. “I…weown it. It’s up to you what you want to do with it, but myvision is a safe house for abused women and women who were victims of sexual assault and need help getting through it. I’m thinking we have one or two counselors around the clock, to assist, and a fully functioning staff. The women who stay can cook, garden, read, we could have therapy animals, and maybe they’d find peace. Recover. There’ll be room for their kids if they have any, and there’s sixteen acres, so plenty of space to build more structures if needed. I was thinking we could call itNicola’s Haven.”
Is this man real?
“It could help you keep the memory of your sister alive. You’d be welcome to work here as much or as little as you want, and every victim we help would honor her memory.”
He kisses me softly as my eyes well up with tears. I still haven’t said a word, but I start to laugh. The odd kind of laugh that happens when it’s mixed with tears of joy, tears of being loved so deeply by someone that it consumes all of you.
“Don’t cry, Rhiannon.” Aiden wipes my tears. “This is happy.”
“I am happy.” I choke back a sob, trying to catch my breath. “I just… Can you afford this? I…I have no words.”
Aiden chuckles. “Mia, I could afford three of these and still live the life I do. I’ve never spent my money. And it’s a place where I can put my excess to good use, for the first time.” His eyes intensify as he looks down at me, brushing my hair from my forehead. “It’s a future. I told you, you’re the fire inme, the light.” He looks around. “And this place is full of light.”
“It is. I felt it as soon as I walked through the door. Is it weird to say that I almost feelherhere?” I ask, sniffing back my tears.
Aiden kisses my forehead and brings me close again. “No,it’s not. We’re gonna make this place something really special, Mia. You’ll see.”
I take it all in, still not believing the lengths he’s gone to in order to honor my sister. “This is the best gift I’ve ever received. I love you.”
“Not nearly as much as I love you,Rhiannon.” He bends down to pick up the bag and pulls out a small bundle of black leather, then lets it unfold.
It’s new and small, a woman’s jacket. A cut. One that looks just like his but has a simple banner under the reaper:Property of Aiden Foxx.
I reach out and run my fingers over it, and it’s soft, supple to the touch.
“You belong to me, Mia. You have since the first moment I laid eyes on you. Now everyone will know it.”