: Part 3 – Chapter 12

When Aiden mentioned that Jonathan owned an island, I thought he was kidding.

Far from it.

I should’ve known that my father-in-law, Jonathan King, is more than capable of owning an island. It shouldn’t even have come as a surprise.

It’s where we opted to spend the honeymoon, and I have no doubt that this is another of Aiden’s methods to have me completely for himself.

Not that I’m complaining.

During the wedding preparations, I barely got a glimpse of him. I was always surrounded by Kim, Teal, Astrid, Knox, and even Silver, who helped me with picking the dress.

The fact that Kim forgave her didn’t leave me any reason to stay mad at Silver. Especially after the drunken talk we had one night about all that happened during Royal Elite’s final years.

Silver only ever had eyes for Cole, and my jealousy of her was uncalled for. Seems like Aiden isn’t the only possessive one with an irrational streak. Besides, I still feel bad for hitting her that time at Aiden’s house when she never attacked me.

After I found out that she suspected she was pregnant at the time, I apologised and she apologised for everything else — especially for turning her back on Kim, despite secretly checking in on her.

Since then, Silver and I have belonged to the same circle of friends. We have Teal and Kim in common, after all.

So because of the lively atmosphere during the wedding preparations, I didn’t really get my fill of Aiden. And the girls spent the night before the ceremony with me so that he couldn’t sneak in and see me before the big day.

Not that it stopped him. He stood under my balcony and sent me a few texts that made me grin like an idiot.

Aiden: Last night apart, sweetheart.

Elsa: We already live together.

Aiden: Doesn’t count. You don’t have my last name.

Elsa: Is that important?

Aiden: Fuck right, it is. You’re officially mine, sweetheart, and you won’t leave my side like you did when we were eight.

Elsa: Aiden…I didn’t remember at the time. Are you going to hold a grudge about that for eternity?

Aiden: I will never hold a grudge against you as long as you’re by my side, sweetheart.

I went to sleep with a smile on my face at his words. In a way, I knew Aiden didn’t like that I forgot about him, and because it still hurts him in some way, I’ll spend the rest of my life purging that pain away.

Just because he’s some sort of a sociopath doesn’t mean he doesn’t get hurt. It only means that he chooses different methods to act upon it.

Currently, we stand at the top of a waterfall, overlooking the most hypnotising turquoise sea I’ve ever seen.

The water cascades down below, meeting the surface with a sploosh.

“Whoa.” I snap pictures from all different angles. “This is mesmerising. Who knew Jonathan has such good taste.”

“He doesn’t.” Strong arms wrap around my waist from behind as Aiden rests his chin at the top of my head. “He won it over poker.”

“Still, he owns it.”

“Which means I own it, too.”

I smile, still snapping pictures. Aiden doesn’t like me expressing awe towards anyone, even if it’s his forty-four-year-old dad. Not that I would ever get close to Jonathan. He’s still terrifying as hell and he very much holds a grudge against my dad — and me, by extension.

Aiden snatches my phone away and throws it on top of the small bag we brought with us for the hike.

“Hey!” I turn around against his chest. “I was using that.”

“Not anymore.” His expression remains the same. “Besides, are you here for the pictures or for me?”

“The pictures.” I hide my mischievous grin. “Definitely the pictures.”

“You’re playing with fire, sweetheart.”

I stare up at his deep grey eyes and his angular features that only keep sharpening over time. The Aiden from Royal Elite School might’ve been handsome, but now, he’s lethal. Knowing that he’ll probably grow up to have the merciless beauty of his father, I can’t help but feel giddy to be with him every step of the way.

We’ve already lost ten years of our lives apart. There will be no more wasting time.

I stand on tiptoes and brush my lips against his. “I thought playing with fire came with being yours.”

“Fuck.” His hold tightens around my waist. “You’re everything I could’ve asked for.”

“And you are mine.”

“Even when I piss you off?”

I sigh. “Even when you piss me off. I don’t only love your protective side, Aiden. I fell in love with everything about you.”

Aiden rests his forehead against mine so that I’m captured in his grey irises. “You were made for me, sweetheart.”

“And you were made for me.”

His eyes glint with sadism. “Do you trust me?”

“Absolutely.”

Aiden grabs me tight and drags me to the edge. I shriek as we fall all the way down.

It’s not fear that takes me over. It’s complete, utter excitement because by being in Aiden’s arms, I have no doubt that everything will be fine.

He said I saved him once upon a time.

What he doesn’t know is that he saved me, too.