Chapter 70
AIDAN
“Eight years ago was a long time, man,” Jace said from the other end of the phone as I buried my head in my desk, going through the contracts that needed my review and signatures. “Hell, this was more than eight years. It’s close to nine, if not over..”
“So what’s your point?” I asked gruffly.
“It’s going to be so difficult, if not impossible to get any information as to what happened with Tara on that day. Don’t forget that to every other person, it was just a normal day. It could be that she just packed up her things and left after you didn’t want her. Did you think about that?” Jace asked.
I shook my head.
That was possible, but when there was history like this surrounding what happened with Tara, something told me that my father was involved.
I knew it.
Most of it was my fault, and I could have avoided it if I tried a little harder, but if my father had found out, then he would have wanted to harm Tara, and if she was aware and ran because of that, the trauma from it may be something I have to work to heal too before we can move forward.
“Try as hard as you can. Find out where she went after. Just try, Jace. I have to know everything if I am to be able to protect them.”
Jace sighed, understanding my plight. “Fine, man. I’ll do what I can and get back to you, but don’t expect much.”
Before he ended the call, I quickly chipped in. “How are things over there? Are the new security measures working fine against the Stone Wolves?”
“Better than we thought they would, Jace responded, and I nodded.
Vermont pack was my responsibility now, and it was only natural that I cared as much about their wellbeing as I did my pack.
“And Tara? Have you heard anything from her?”
“No, but she may be moving out of your apartment soon.
My eyes snapped up.
What?
I didn’t want them to leave.
I didn’t bother hiding my concern as I asked Jace. “How do you know this?”
Jace cleared his throat, hesitating before responding.
“Every other person in the block has returned to their homes, Aidan. All the leaks have been fixed, you can ask her about it, except you’re shy.”
‘Only teenagers get shy,” I responded harshly.
so it’s only normal. Besides, you have her number, so
I tapped my fingers away on the table to take my mind off Tara and Nadia moving out of the house bought for them. Me signing it in my name was just a ploy for Tara to take it without making too much fuss, and I expected them to want to stay after spending this much time there.
- me.
It had everything they needed. Especially for Nadia.
Aside from that, I also couldn’t be one hundred percent certain of their safety if they were staying back at theirs, so that made things a bit harder for
I had to caution myself that Tara had been doing a great job of taking care of her and our kid for years, so that wasn’t expected to change now.
After a bit of pleasantries, Jace ended the call, and I hoped that he would find something to present to me later. Anything at all that tied my father to Tara’s disappearance.
Just as I thought that, another thought formed in my head.
Didn’t you push her away?‘
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‘Didn’t she see you with another woman?‘
She ran away because of you!
Instantly, my mood soured.
All of that was true.
My mind went back to eight years ago when Tara cried after finding out she was pregnant. She was scared, and so was I.
fut I had to.
I had to protect her. Had to protect both of them. From him.
And what if he found her right after and caused her to run away?‘ I thought.
What if it was my father that found Tara and made her go away?
Then the purpose of me rejecting her and our baby would have all been in vain.
Fuck.
Dark memories threatened to take shape in my mind, but I fought them back.
What was done was done.
Only how we moved forward mattered.
And that included mending the relationship that was broken with Tara, and bridging our broken mate bond.
If there was such a thing as that.
I didn’t care. I was going to try my hardest.
Picking up my phone again, I dialed her number, grateful that this time, it rang.
I waited for her to pick, and I pressed the phone to my car.
Aidan?” She sounded out of breath, but it still sounded like a breath of fresh air. “Hey.”
“Tara, I called softly, not recognizing what I sounded like. “Hey.”
I didn’t realize I’d been quiet for so long until she spoke again..
Are you okay?”
I blinked twice to clear the haze from my brain. “Yes. Yes. Is now a bad time? You sound breathless.”
She chuckled, and I could swear that I felt her voice sliding up my arms and leaving goosebumps
in
its trail.
I could listen to her laugh forever. I wanted that.
been
I’m fine, Aidan. Just running around chasing Nadia in the diner. She got fast legs, this one.” Realizing herself, she cleared her throat once. “You called.”
More like asking me why, but I’ll take that.
“Yes. I’ve been choked with work for the past few days, so I couldn’t call earlier. I wanted to hear your voice. Both of you. And see how you both have
A bit of silence, and she spoke again. “We’re good, Aidan, thank you. Nadia has asked about you a few times. She pai…” Tara cut herself off.
She did what?” I pressed inching forward in my seat, desperate for any information about them.
I could hear Tara shaking her head even though I couldn’t see her. ‘Nevermind. Thank you for calling, Aidan.”
Masking my disappointment, I spoke. ‘Is there anything that you’re lacking back at the house? Something that would make you more comfortable?”
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I hoped she didn’t hear from my voice that I wanted them to stay longer after what Jace said to me.
“No. Thank you.”
She didn’t mention anything about leaving, so I took that as a plus point.
A knock sounded on my office door, and that was my cue to end the call.
Reluctantly, I said goodbye, And promised to call her later.
One step at a time.
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