Eden held me tightly around the neck, not willing to move even an inch from my arms as we rode. I hummed a Greek nursery rhyme that my mother had taught me, one that I’d also taught Penny. It relaxed the girl enough that she closed her eyes and slipped into a light doze.
We pulled up to the hospital, and I directed Carlo to the emergency department where I could see Faith pacing, her hair a mess from running her fingers through it. Her eyes wild blue orbs of fire as she noticed the car.
One of my security guys got out and gestured to the door for her.
“Get in,” one of my men ordered .
“Where’s Eden?” Faith demanded. “Aiden promised a trade. I want her released and safely brought inside before I get into the car with you.”
Eden must have heard her aunt’s voice because she sprang to life in my arms. “Mimi!” she cried out.
“Eden, baby!” Faith called out, and I watched as she dashed to the open door and dipped her head inside, no longer caring for her own safety.
I let the girl go and she toddled over to the door where Faith scrambled into the car. She wrapped her arms around the small child and then looked up.
Her gaze registered shock, relief, and something that would shake my world for days to come.
Trust.
“You…” she breathed.
“I told you I’d take care of you and Eden. I’m a man of my word, Faith.” I smiled softly and gestured to the leather seat. She slid her body inside, Eden clutched to her chest.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” she croaked, tears filling her pretty eyes. I vowed to myself that she wouldn’t be crying so often in the future. I’d make sure her days were filled with joy and happiness.
Finally, I smiled. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to thank me.” I smirked, allowing the heat and chemistry to fill the car with the sexual tension that seemed to always be simmering in the air when the two of us were in a small and enclosed space.
At my response, she tipped her head back and laughed, the tears still clinging to her long, black lashes. She continued the carefree laugh that filled me with pride for having been the one to give her reason to respond in such a way.
“Eden, baby, let me look at you,” she instructed the girl, cupping both her niece’s chubby cheeks. “Have you had medicine or eaten anything?”
The girl nodded. “I ate donuts.”
Faith’s jaw tightened. “We need to have her sugar levels checked. And I haven’t heard from the nurses yet about my father.” Her words wobbled, and her body started to shake. I imagined the release of emotions and trauma was wreaking havoc on her system.
“Let’s go inside, get Eden checked, and find out what’s happening with your father. Then we’ll have a nice long chat about how you ignored everything we discussed and refused to trust that I would handle the situation.”
She swallowed and nodded. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Promise?” I challenged, tipping my head.
Faith nodded again. “I haven’t been able to trust anyone—especially a man—in a very long time, Joel. Today you proved that I can. And I’m beyond grateful.” She petted her niece’s long hair in soothing strokes as the girl put her thumb into her mouth.
“We’re still talking about it…later.” My tone brooked no argument.
We got out of the car, and my team led us through the lobby and back to the area where her father was being treated.
“Um, Joel?” She whispered her question.
“Yes, Faith,” I answered while pressing my hand to the base of her spine, urging her along the hospital corridors.
“What happened to Aiden?” Her voice was small, and I hated that even the mention of his name somehow diminished her strength.
“I think it’s best we save that conversation for another time. Don’t you?” I gestured to Eden who still had her face tucked to her aunt’s neck, her eyes peering out wearily.
“Is he alive?” She gulped.
“Yes,” was all I offered.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment and then swallowed. “Then he can still get to me.” That was the last thing she said as she approached the nurses’ station with Eden. I hung back and let those words roll around in my brain .
He can still get to me.
I would need to employ a plan of attack on Aiden sooner than I’d originally planned. Faith was still frightened of the man and believed as long as he was alive, she’d be unsafe.
She was mine to have, to hold, and to protect.