"Ow! Dammit Meryn!" She walked away; she didn't want to hear him complain about her anymore. She made it to the end of the hallway before the tears started falling. She stopped mid-step and covered her eyes with her arm. Felix patted her cheek trying to comfort her. Ryuu wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her into an examination room. He picked her up and sat her on the edge of the table.
"He didn't mean it."
"Yes he did!"
"No, he didn't, not really. He had just woken up after being critically injured, he doesn't know if his men survived or where they are and he hears your voice. You're not at home safe behind locked doors, you're here with minimal guards. It was his fear talking not his heart." Ryuu explained. Meryn buried her face in his chest.
"He hates me! I never used to care if people hated me, because I didn't like them, but Aiden can't hate me, because I love him." Ryuu held her close and kept drying her cheeks. A grunt at the door had them both turning. Aiden leaned heavily against the doorway before he walked into the room on unsteady feet.
"He's right Meryn, I was scared to death when I realized you were here. I'm not one hundred percent and wasn't sure I could keep you safe." Aiden was holding his side tightly.
"I'll be right outside." Ryuu walked out closing the door behind him. Aiden leaned against the back of the door.
"You're a fucking asshole."
"I know."
"I had everything under control, your dad said that I was doing things the way he would have."
"I know." Aiden winced as he took a deep breath.
"You're a fucking asshole."
"You said that already."
"You were such a huge asshole I had to say it twice." She couldn't stay mad at him. He looked so damn pitiful. She walked over until she stood in front of him.
"Does it hurt?" She pointed to his side.
"Not as much as my damn shin."
"You deserved that."
"I guess I did." Aiden cupped her face with both of his hands, pride shining in his eyes.
"Gavriel called me every type of idiot and told me to beg for forgiveness on my hands and knees if need be. He said that you had singlehandedly doubled our resources. He showed me what you did on your laptop. By hacking into the city's cameras we can monitor the city streets and send reinforcements the second one of the trainee units got into trouble. This allows us to put all seasoned warriors in the field without splitting our resources between the city and the perimeter." He kissed her gently.
"Please forgive me. I love you and your antics. The thought of life without you scares the hell out of me." He placed small kisses all over her face. Careful of his injury she wrapped her arms around him, he held her close.
"Forgiven, though gifts of chocolate later won't go unappreciated."
"Duly noted." When he leaned forward and captured her lips, she felt it all the way to the center of her being. He made her soul sing. She squeezed him tight and he grunted.
"Oh my gosh, sorry!" She stepped back and he fought to catch his breath.
"Let's head back to the others." Aiden took her hand.
When they walked back into command central Adelaide looked relieved.
"I am forgiven." Aiden announced to the room.
"Good, because we were about to kick you out of Alpha and put her in charge." Colton teased.
"Does this mean you'll show me how to use grenades?" Meryn asked.
Colton paled. "Maybe not."
Aiden laughed then groaned.
"You should be in bed." Adam admonished.
"I'm fine. Meryn has set up everything so that I can keep track of everything from here." Aiden eased down next to Gavriel and watched the cameras.
"Your brother is an idiot." Gavriel pointed to the laptop. Meryn looked over Aiden's shoulder and saw that Adair was in front of one of the cameras in the city with a trainee unit. He was twerking against a light pole. Aiden laughed and moaned, caught his breath and kept laughing holding his side. Meryn was laughing when a huge yawn overtook her.
Aiden pushed her towards the door. "Head to the barracks, get some rest and feed Jaws. I'll be there soon."
Meryn hesitated. "Are you sure?"
He just looked at her.
Meryn pecked him on the cheek. "Okay, okay, I guess I'll let you be in charge for a while." He swatted her on the butt.
"Hey, not in front of your family! They don't need to know how much of a sexual deviant you really are." She rubbed her bottom. Aiden's mouth dropped and he began to blush. Darian and Colton started to crack up.
"Wait until I get you alone." Aiden muttered.
"Promises, promises." She winked and turned to the door.