Page 85 of Forever Theirs

“And by talk, you mean…” I arched a questioning brow, though I had a feeling I knew exactly what he meant based on his fierce tone.

Miles’s lips curled upward in a knowing smirk. “That depends on them.”

“Miles,” I protested, but that was all I got out before he shoved open the door and stepped onto the plowed asphalt. His command for Jubie to stay in the truck’s bed rang out before the door shut.

Shaking my head in exasperation, feeling this was getting blown out of proportion all because of someone parking in my spot, I swiveled to face Aiden, hoping he’d be the reasonable one. “Please don’t make a big deal out of someone taking my spot.”

His honey-brown eyes cut my way before focusing on the SUV once again. “What if it’s more than that, Aspen? What if the person in that Escalade is here for you, knew this was your cabin?”

I blinked at Aiden, my mind suddenly going blank. “Why would someone be here for me?”

“Let’s find out before we all get worked up over this.” Interlacing our fingers, he lifted my hand to press a kiss to the back and shoved the door open with the other, guiding me out of the truck after him.

Miles stood at the driver’s side door, hands cupped around his eyes to peer into the SUV. Stepping back, he shook his head to let us know no one was waiting inside.

Aiden’s hand tightened around mine, squeezing until I let out a hiss of pain and attempted to yank free. He flashed me an apologetic expression before tugging me down the path, following Miles.

Pulse racing, blood pounding in my ears, I kept my head on a swivel, glancing every which way for the owner of the SUV. The memory of the night I felt followed on the way to the main building had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

At the base of the stairs that led to the closed front door, we stopped at Miles’s back when he held up a hand. Holding my breath, I waited, listening for whatever froze him in his tracks. From the other side of the cabin door came a muffled male chuckle followed by a loud voice, though the words were too distorted to make out.

Before I could even come to terms with the idea that someone was in my cabin, both men had their sidearms drawn and pointed at the closed door.

“I’ll lead. You cover.” Miles glanced down at me over his shoulder. “Aspen, stay between us until we know who we’re dealing with and what they want.”

Eyes wide, I turned to Aiden but couldn’t get a word out. Features firm and emotionless, the happy and mischievous man I had hopelessly fallen for was nowhere to be found.

Despite Miles’s size, his boots didn’t make a single sound as he moved up the steps and reached for the door, testing the handle. Lips pursed tight, he sent a clipped nod back to Aiden, who shifted behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder. Holding up three fingers, Miles slowly ticked them down.

Shoving the door open, he stormed into the cabin, gun raised immediately, causing surprised shouts to cut through the tense silence. My ears perked up, the tone and cadence of a voice catching my attention.

I knew that pompous and arrogant voice. All too well, considering I’d heard it almost every day for the last few years. Anger quickly replaced the bubbling fear, sending raging heat burning through my veins.

“You’ve got to be kidding me right now.” Shrugging off Aiden’s hold, ignoring his barked demands for me to wait, I barreled into the cabin, knowing exactly who I would find inside.

Weaving around Miles, who stood blocking my view, I stopped beside him, crossing both arms over my heaving chest, and glared at James fucking Peoples, who stood in the middle of the room with both hands in the air.

The happy bubble keeping reality at bay the last few days popped, my past and present colliding in the tiny cabin.

“What the hell are you doing here, James?” Movement from the other side of the room snapped my gaze toward the couch. I scoffed with an eye roll at the creepy asshole Charles sitting with his hands raised. “Now we know how you got into my cabin when I know for certain I locked it yesterday.”

Charles’s gaze narrowed as he slowly lowered a hand to gesture toward James. “Mr. Peoples said you were expecting him, and he would be more comfortable waiting for you in the cabin. A celebrity like him, of course, I accommodated his request, and him being your fiancé, I allowed him access to your cabin.”

My arms dropped to my sides like deadweight while my jaw hung open.

“Herwhat?” Aiden practically growled at my back.

With one more scathing glare at Miles, who had yet to lower his gun, James shifted his attention my way. In a flash, the annoyance and anger were gone, and his famous fake mask that had fooled the world was in place. His bright blue eyes, which had drawn me in at one time, softened as a wide smile spread across his face.

“I’ve been worried sick about you, Aspen. Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you to return here at the resort since yesterday.” His mask slipped a fraction, some of his arrogance showing through, as he eyed Miles and Aiden. “Who are these two men with guns? Come over here where it’s safe, sweetie. I’ll protect you.”

A humorous laugh escaped as I shook my head in disbelief. “What the hell are you doing here, James?” I repeated.

His features hardened. I knew it was because I didn’t immediately follow his orders. “What do you mean, what am I doing here? I came to retrieve you and take you home.” Pressing his lips into a tight line, he looked over his shoulder at Charles. “You were a big help, and I thank you for being so very accommodating, but I need to talk to my fiancée alone. This is a private conversation.” His blue eyes flicked to the two men at my side, a minuscule sneer curling his lip. “That goes for you two as well.”

“Not going to happen,” Aiden responded at the same time Miles snapped, “Fuck off.”

James’s nostrils flared with annoyance, clearly not liking their responses. “This is between me and Aspen. As a known name, I don’t want anyone else hearing about my private life only for you to run off and sell the story or post it on social media.” When I didn’t say anything, his narrowed gaze landed on me. “Sweetie, this is insane. It’s time to stop all this.”

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