Free Aligned: Volume 3 by Ella Miles

partner back. Now, I just need my lover back.  
    Nick, the head of my three-person security team, meets us at the door to the exit of the hospital.  
    “Everyone’s in place.”  
    “Let’s go then.”  
    Alexa walks next to me as we exit the hospital. Flashes of light blind us as we walk down the sidewalk. We only make it ten feet before the microphones are shoved into our faces.  
    “Ethan, what does it feel like to come back from the dead?” the first male reporter shouts over the crowd.
    “It feels amazing. I never thought I would see this beautiful woman again.” I beam at Alexa a moment before continuing. “Wouldn’t you find any way possible to keep living if you had this beautiful woman to come back to?” The reporters chuckle and nod their heads accordingly.  
    “How were you able to escape?” another reporter asks.  
    “I’m not supposed to talk about too many details until the investigation is complete and the perpetrators caught.”  
    “Do you worry about your wife’s and your safety?” the same reporter asks.  
    “Of course. But if they come after us, we will be waiting. I hired the best security team in the world. If they come after us, they will pay.”  
    “Are you suffering from any long-term damage?” another reporter asks.  
    “No. Nothing that a nice warm bed and a beautiful wife can’t fix.” I wink at Alexa before kissing her passionately on the lips, giving the reporters a nice show. She keeps her eyes open initially, startled by the kiss, but she doesn’t pull away. It gives me hope.  
    “Alexa, how does it feel to have your husband back after thinking he was dead for so many months?”  
    I smile at Alexa encouraging her to talk. “It’s been a dream come true.”  
    “Alexa, do you plan to return to the world of photography and entertainment?”  
    Alexa looks at me with a blank stare.  
    “I think we’ve had enough questions for today. We’d like to get home and enjoy our new life together.”  
    Nick and James walk over to us and guide us past the reporters and cameras to the waiting SUV. Nick opens the door for us, and I help Alexa into the car before I climb in next to her.  
    I look up at Curt, the last member of my security team seated in the driver’s seat.  
    “Take us home please.”
    ***
    The drive to our apartment is long, slow, and quiet. Curt is a professional who kept his eyes on the road throughout the forty-five-minute drive. Alexa spent the first five minutes in the car bouncing her legs obnoxiously up and down. I rested my hand on her right knee, trying to calm her, but immediately pulled it away when I felt the metal of her prosthetic instead of the flesh I’m used to. She didn’t say anything when I did, but I know she was disappointed in me. I’m disappointed in me. It will just take some time to get used to her leg. After being together for so long and expecting her to be a certain way, it’s hard to adjust.  
    Alexa pretended to sleep the rest of the car ride instead of talking to me. I could tell because her breathing was short and rapid instead of long and calming, and her legs still bounced slightly throughout the ride.  
    I spent the trip planning. Trying to come up with anything I could do to mend this relationship. To get her to trust me again. To love me again. She’s barely talked to me since I told her she was raped. I don’t blame her, but I need to find happy memories to share with her.  
    First, though, we need to get through tonight. Curt pulls up outside our apartment building. Relief fills me at the sight of our home. Everything will be better now.  
    “Wake up, Alexa,” I say, shaking her body softly. She immediately stirs.  
    We both exit the SUV without a word. Curt grabs our bags and holds the door to our apartment building. We walk in and take the elevator to the top floor. To our home. When we get to the door, Curt unlocks the door and places our bags inside.  
    “James and Nick already