CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

AIDAN

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And this is why love is too damn crazy for me to be bothered with. Even dating is a pain in my ass. Imagine if I met someone like Gina who lost her damn mind and shot someone. Or had my girl kidnapped like Josh experienced.

Clearly, Ryder is in love with Savannah. God knows how it's going to work out. She's the biggest movie star in the world. This isn't a Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner fucking movie.

I don't want to see my friend with a broken heart, but I suspect it's coming. Whichever way it works out.

There was a lot of blood.

If Savannah lives, I'm not sure there is a happily ever after for them. God, I wish he'd kept his distance and not fallen in love with her.

Or maybe I'm projecting.

Maybe it's me who wishes I'd not let someone into my heart long ago.

A long time ago. Ten years.

Enough time to have gotten over her. But apparently becoming a US Marine and serving my country, starting a business and dating what feels like three hundred women still hasn't put enough space between us.

I still see her beautiful face when I'm thrusting into a woman. Trust me, I know how fucked up that is.

I'm not sure I believe in love anymore.

Yet...

Maybe I'm as fucked up as Gina, not being able to let her go.

"That should be enough for now," Detective Stewart says, flipping his notebook closed. "So this is Savannah Sinclair's house, huh?"

I shake my head. "She might be dead, dude."

"God imagine. Like some kind of Marilyn Monroe tragedy."

Fucking dickhead.

"I'll send Ryder down to the station in the morning." I say, glancing around. I spot Savannah's phone and walk over, lifting it off the charger.

I see Ryder's twelve missed calls.

Then I see one from Briar.

Jesus, that's freaky.

"Okay, I'm out of here," I say, glancing around at the police crime scene team. "My team will secure the property and stay until you leave."

I call Marshall over and give him instructions.

"Make sure the guys monitor everything."

"Got it." Marshall nods and takes over. He has a body holster over his black shirt with the arms rolled up.

I stride through the mansion and out the front door, then freeze.

Is this a joke?

What the fuck is going on?

I stare as the woman before me wraps her arms around her middle and rants at the police officer.

"No ma'am. I can't give you any further information at this point," the policeman says.

"Ugh," she grunts, and drops her arms and she spins away.

When she sees me, she, too, freezes.

Her mouth drops open as we stand staring at one another for a long moment.

"Hello, Briar," I rasp.

"Aidan," she whispers.