Consume my broken heart

Chapter 20

POV Aiden

"Grace!" I burst out in astonishment. I grab her just in time before she hits the floor. Her eyes are closed and she was having flushed cheeks. A drop of sweat from her forehead falls on my arm. I don't know what has gotten into her. She was just fine a few minutes ago. Gently, I carry her in my arms to my couch, placing her head on one of my pillows. I hold her feet up, knowing if someone faints, that's the best thing you can do.

The waiting seemed ages, but finally, I see her blinking. "Grace?" I whisper not to scare her. Still no reaction. Maybe I need to fetch a wet towel and place it on her forehead. Carefully, I feel with the back of my hand if she was having a fever.

"What happened?" Grace looks a bit dazed at me. I breathe out in relief.

"You fainted. Can I get you something?" I ask her, trying my best to be helpful at the moment.

"No. I need to go home." She spoke very slowly like she wasn't with complete senses.

"Wow, hold on for a moment," I say rapidly, and she sighs, lowering her head back on the pillow. I lay her legs back on the couch when I heard her stomach growl. In embarrassment, she turns her head to the side. She probably fainted because she was hungry or something.

"Wait here," I instruct her maybe a bit too rough, but knowing Grace, she can be stubborn as hell. Grace rolls her eyes and folds her arms while exhaling out loud.

Quickly, I make two omelets and pour her a glass of water. When I arrived in the living room with her plate in my hand, she was already sitting straight.

"Are you okay?" I kindly ask her.

"I'm fine," she answers softly while eyeing my every move. She probably thinks I'm going to poison her with my food. Grace is the most complicated yet most interesting woman I've ever met. She's bold and fragile at the same time. She can be sweet and friendly most of the time, but if she has a bad day, she'll make sure you know. Grace intrigues me, especially what's behind her. She protects herself and keeps a low profile the entire time. I'm not sure why she's still single. She's stunning, only she doesn't know.

I can't remember I have tolerated someone behaving to me as she does. She can crawl under my skin and that's just what I was planning to avoid at all costs. I need to keep a low profile, yet here I am nursing her and helping her by taking revenge. I still don't even know why I'm helping her out. Those punks deserve several punches in their face for hurting her so badly. That's why she has low self-esteem. Girls like her should be on the top. I'm certain she wasn't like this. She's hurt and scarred by them. And maybe I just feel pity for her because I know she will not start living again until she gives them what they deserve.

"Here." I place the plate on the coffee table. In a glimpse I see her shift on the couch, a small smile creeping up, giving me a satisfying feeling. I couldn't let this pass me. I'm a chronic jerk, yet for people like her, I want to believe I can be different. Be a better person. A smile appeared on my lips while seeing her eat. She was hungry.

I stand up and make my way to the kitchen to fetch my plate as well. Seeing her eat made me hungry as well. "Aiden?" Grace called me, the uneasiness hearable in her tender voice.

"Yes?" I turn around to face her.

"Thanks for your help and the food." She sends me an appreciative smile. I smile and nod at her. Of course, she's grateful. She knows she can count on me and hopefully she isn't so suspicious about every move I make. Although how can I blame her? I'm a hitman, assassin... I'm called many words...

We ate in silence, only our forks on our plate made a small noise. From time to time, I gazed at her, making sure I did it when she wasn't noticing it. I don't want her to think I'm some kind of creep. That's the last thing I want to be called, a creep. The cold-hearted killer was probably my favorite. Flinn Mable preferred killer with a conscious better. Thanks to him, I have found a way out. A way to do what I want. I way I'm also protected. America was my way out and I have to admit, I like it here. Nobody notices I'm an Englishman with a title and hopefully, it will stay like this. I trust the old Flinn with my heart.

"You seemed far away with your thoughts," Grace says softly, placing the fork on her already empty plate.

"Yeah, I was," I say truthfully. But I know I need to shut this conversation for what it is. Suddenly my phone rings and I look at the number appearing on my screen. It's Flinn. He probably has a job to do tonight. I look at her and she looks at me with her big, beautifully shaped eyes and long eyelashes.

"I'm sorry. I need to take this one." I say before leaving the room in speed.

"Yeah?" I greet Flinn quickly.

"Aiden, I have a job for you tonight. Are you free?" He asks, knowing he friendly asks while he probably has nobody to succeed the job.

"Yeah, send me the details," I answer shortly before hanging up the phone.

When I enter the living room, Grace was laying the pillows in a row neatly beside one another. "You don't have to do that." I stop her.

"It's the least I can do." She says softly before taking her plate and walking past me into my kitchen.

"Where's your dishwasher?" She asks, and I have to compose myself when a flash comes before my eyes. It was like an image in the future. Am I going mad? I shake my head and point to the dishwasher. Fuck, what's wrong with me. Why do I have to see her in my kitchen whilst wearing a nightgown? Is this some sick joke of my own doubtful, fucked-up mind? I don't even want her.

"You need to go. I'll bring you home." I say coldly, with my hands in my pockets.

"I know. You have got a job to do." She spoke with venom, yet her expression stays mild. She isn't mad or distressed. That's first, she doesn't show dissatisfaction.

I swallow and nod. "Come on, let's get to the car," I instruct her. I take her purse from the ground and retrieve it for her.

Outside, she looks at me in confusion when I open my garage, revealing my way too expensive Mercedes. I start the engine and let the beast drive into the sunlight. I open the passenger door and wait patiently for Grace to enter.

Despite my efforts to be cold and distant to her, I can feel my shield crumble when I'm with her. I was fine until I saw her in that alley. She was ready to die. I should have carried on with my life and leave her. I want to let her go, but I just can't. I can't let her face this cruel world alone, not yet. I will help her finish her plan and then our ways split. I would be crazy to jeopardize everything in one glance.