Page 109 of The Cinderella Secret
“Yeah, I’ve had awhile to figure out what a Deveraux is most likely to do.”
“This is ridiculous,” said Ella, walking closer to MacKentier, while Jackson’s lighter went click, flame on, click, flame off, click, flame on. “Whatever you have in mind, Aiden isn’t going to go along with it.”
“I think Jackson can manage Aiden,” said MacKentier. “And Aiden might like to play at being Prince Charming, but all princes know that the money has to come from somewhere. I think he’ll listen to sound financial reasoning.”
Jackson had gone back to the windows, but this time it was closer to the remaining security guard.
There was a surprised yell from the hallway. Then a crash. The security guard behind MacKentier tensed, looking from the hall to MacKentier, uncertain of whether or not to stay or go help his friends. There was another yell, this time angry and pained. More thumping. Another crash, with extra splintering sounds. Then silence.
“Or maybe Aiden will listen to a good old-fashioned fist in the face,” said MacKentier with a smile.
“Shit!” exclaimed the security guard as the window curtain went up in flames. The man stepped toward the curtains and Jackson flicked his cigarette into the man’s face.
MacKentier sprang to his feet, reaching for Jackson’s gun on the table, just as the conference room door burst open and Foss was thrown through it. Aiden stepped through after him and kicked Foss in the face. His expression was hard and angry, and she recognized the look from his fight with Dulce six years ago.
“Randall!” MacKentier barely said the word, more exhaled it in shock. He began to swing the gun away from Ella and toward Aiden. Ella reached out and clamped her hand down on top of the gun, hopefully preventing the slide from moving back and discharging. With the other hand she formed a fist, middle knuckle out and punched MacKentier in the back of his hand.
His hand sprang open and he yelled in pain, leaving her holding the gun. She immediately shoved her hand forward and slammed the gun into the side of his face. He raised his hand as if to hit her back, but he never made it past the idea. Aiden stepped forward and grabbed him by the neck and arm. MacKentier found himself shoved forward, then tripped and his face was rammed into the conference room table. He bounced back and Ella thought that he wasn’t really conscious anymore, but Aiden hauled him up and punched him twice.
There was a squawk and then a gasping breath and Ella and Aiden turned to Jackson. The smoldering window curtain had been pulled down and partially wrapped around the security guard. It was unclear what had happened after that, but Jackson now had his arm around the security guard’s neck, and he looked thoughtful and a little embarrassed as the man struggled for another few moments and then passed out.
“Hey,” Jackson said, dropping the security guard and stomping on the remains of the curtain. “Nice timing.”
Aiden stepped across MacKentier and swept Ella into a hug. “Are you OK?”
“Yes,” squeaked Ella through his boa constrictor hug.
“You’re going to squish your girlfriend,” said Jackson with a laugh, coming around the table.
“Whatever,” said Aiden turning to Jackson, “you’re next.”
“I don’t—” Jackson’s opinion was cut off as Aiden wrapped his arms around him and hugged him hard enough to boost him off his feet and bounced him.
“Yeah, OK,” said Jackson, sounding annoyed, but Ella thought he looked pleased. “We’re fine. You can put me down.”
“Aiden!” someone was yelling down the hall. “Jackson!”
“Evan?” said Jackson as Aiden returned him to his feet.
“Ev?” asked Aiden, sticking his head out in the hall. “How fast did you fucking drive? And didn’t I leave police persons to intercept you?”
“I ignored them,” said Evan, coming into the room. “And I set the meeting for Brooklyn. I didn’t want to be that far away. I’m not a total idiot. It sounded too easy for somethingnotto get cocked up. Why are there bodies in the hall? Where are the police? Hi, I’m Evan.” The man who had been described as an ice-cold bastard, smiled at Ella and held out his hand. He was a smidge taller than Aiden, but where Aiden always appeared slightly disheveled, as if he’d just run his hand through his hair, Evan’s red hair seemed carefully regimented.
“Hi, I’m Ella,” she replied, uncertain of just how much to take Evan at face value.
“Nice to meet you,” he said with a smile that Ella thought was completely genuine. He looked around the room. “Jackson, did you smash Charlie’s face in?”
“No, that was Aiden. And, also, Ella.”
“He shouldn’t have pointed a gun at Aiden,” said Ella with a shrug.
“Oh,” said Evan. “Well, you couldn’t have waited for me? I would have liked to have seen that.”
“Believe it or not, Evan, I do not actually schedule my face-smashing to suit your timetable,” said Aiden in exasperation.
“Josh schedules it for him,” said Jackson.
“Jackson!” snapped Aiden, glaring at him.
