Chapter 614 - Promises

Sarah watched Aiden look at three lists and she could see based on his expressions that he is processing the information in front of him… thinking about the possibilities… considering different scenarios where all facts fit in.

She doesn't want to say anything. Sarah wants to hear his conclusion, without her interference, because she hopes from the bottom of her heart that she is wrong. She wishes that there is a different possibility, something that she missed, and he will find it.

Thinking that Enrique did everything on his own is the best scenario at this time. But it's impossible. Everyone was able to see how unprepared he was, and even his men were non-skilled. Two of them overpowered them without slightest resistance. If Enrique came from Venezuela on his own, he would plan this better. He does not have brain power to come up with a plan and execute it successfully, at least not this one where he would get his revenge against Jeff.

Sarah sighed. There is already that King person, do they really need someone else from those mafia-like families pursuing them? Ah, and never-ending stream of delusional girls and guys who think they can come between them. And jealous characters who want to take what does not belong to them. Is life not difficult enough without them?

Sarah wondered, did her life became this complicated because now she has someone she cares about? Before Aiden got into her life, everything was so much simpler… but it was dull. She would not trade this for anything. If he is in danger, she will stand next to him and they will fight it off together no matter who or what it is. And she hopes that he knows that.

Sarah observed that Aiden's frown deepened.

He is getting there… almost there. He is making connections. She saw him glancing at her, and she knows: that is the moment he realized that yesterday's incident is because of him. It took him only few additional seconds to slump back into the sofa and stare at the ceiling for a second before closing his eyes.

And she can tell that his conclusion is the same as hers: That mystery Boss is looking for someone who attended that camp 13 years ago… he is looking for Aiden.

Sarah is partially happy that their deductions match, and partially unhappy that he didn't come up with a different scenario. Any other scenario would be easier to handle than this one where they are facing an unknown person who has a powerful organization behind him.

Sarah curled up in Aiden's lap with her head resting on his chest.

"You promised not to leave me.", she reminded him.

"I will not leave you…", Aiden confirmed and took a deep breath. After few seconds he added: "You will go."

Sarah's body jolted. "What?!! No!"

Aiden shifted to sit straight and looked Sarah in the eyes. "Sarah, listen… you can go to other house, with kids… or to the Cabin, that is better because Stella is closer. And…"

"No!"

Aiden looked at her eyes full of determination mixed with desperation and his heart ached, but he decided to proceed. He needs to persuade her to stay away from him, to stay safe. "Or I can go to either of those places. We can chat every day, and do video calls, and in the evening…"

"No!", Sarah stubbornly continued. She knows that he only wants to keep her safe, but his every word was like a jab in her heart and she felt that her eyes burned.

Aiden frowned, hoping that Sarah will not see how much it pains him to say these words. "Don't you see that I have a target on my back, and by staying close to me you might get in danger? How am I going to live with myself if you get hurt because of me?"

Sarah listened and could hear the pain in his voice. She knows that this is not what he wants, and it's not what she wants either. How can he even think of pushing her away? The most important thing is to be together! She was sad that he is considering for them to be apart and angry that he is treating her as someone who can't defend herself. As someone who can't defend them.

"So, that's how it is? You just want to push me away? Because I might get hurt? Let me ask you… do you know how long will this last? A day? A week? A year? Do you know?"

"I don't.", Aiden admitted.

"If I stay by your side, I might get hurt… but if we separate, I WILL be hurt. My heart is bleeding just by thinking about it. Don't you feel the same? Do you know that if we are not together, I don't have a reason to live? And what happened with forever? Did you ask me to marry you just because you want to be with me when it's convenient? Or is it to be together through good and bad days? Don't even try to chase me away, because I'm not going anywhere!" Sarah was not aware that her tears flowed down her cheeks.

Aiden held her face in his palms and wiped her tears gently. "Don't talk like I want you to go. I don't want you to go… I want you to stay with me, always. But I need you to be safe."

"I feel the same about you. But don't forget that staying safe means that we are together. Only when we are together, I can be at ease…" Sarah's words were lost in the river of tears. She was not able to hold back, and she broke down in sobs.

"Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm hurt! No matter how I look at this, you are asking me to stay away from you, and it is making my heart ache. Aiden, I got a target on my back before you. Remember King? What would you say if at that time I told you to leave me alone because you might get caught in crossfire? Would you listen? Or would you stand by my side and help me fight whatever is coming?"

He watched her teary face in silence for a long time. He thought about everything they said, and about their current situation. There was only one thing that mattered, only one thing to say: "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Sarah was not sure what he is sorry for. Is he sorry for what he said, or is he sorry that he will break his promise and leave her…?

Aiden pulled her into a tight embrace. He needed to feel her close. He also felt his eyes burning, and he didn't want her to see him crying.

"I'm sorry that I asked you to leave. I got caught in the moment and didn't think straight. I can't live without you. Please, stay with me. Forever." Aiden's voice was breaking.

His words allowed her to breathe again and the knot in her chest disappeared.

Sarah held onto him tightly as her tears slowed down. "I'm not going anywhere. We will figure this out and fight it together. That is my promise to you."