Free An Enchanted Spring: Mists of Fate - Book Two by Nancy Scanlon

trampling them in their desperate bid to get away. Almost immediately, sirens sounded and horns blared, but through it all, Aidan remained wrapped around her, a protective cocoon, ensuring nothing touched her.
    If he wanted to, he would have killed her . The man had taken careful aim, and there should’ve been no time for Aidan to knock Emma out of the way. Aidan understood the intent behind the bullet…it was a warning shot.
    Emma was in far more danger than he initially realized.
    “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low in her ear. She nodded jerkily, and he carefully pulled back, wincing as the glass slid off his back, balancing on his knees on the pavement. He helped her to her feet. “We have to get out of here,” he said. “I don’t care to spend my night with the bobbies, explaining anything.” Aidan frowned at her ashen face, then tucked her under his arm. He glanced back. He didn’t get a good visual of her ex’s face, but he damn well knew he was close to them. Too close.
    “I think someone tried to shoot us,” Emma said, her hands shaking.
    “Let’s not wait around to give him another shot, then,” he replied as he steered her toward a taxi. He nearly pushed her inside, following close on her heels, and instructed the cabbie to drive east before heading back toward the hotel. Aidan locked first Emma’s, then his own door. Once they were out in the traffic, one of a thousand other yellow taxis, Aidan pulled out his phone, sent a message to Cian, then turned to Emma.
    “I’m having a bad day,” she blurted, her voice breaking.
    “I know,” he said.
    Emma burst into tears. He pulled her into his arms and let her cry, not caring about the makeup on his shirt, or the wet stains on his lapel, or the alarmed looks from the cabbie. He just held her and hoped it was enough.
    • • •
    “I’m not a crier,” Emma repeated once they were back in the hotel room, this time to Cian, who held out a fresh tissue toward her.
    Cian merely nodded, looking as though he wished the whole business were over and done with, then quickly left the room.
    Emma leaned back on the couch and glanced at Aidan. His expression was deadly serious, his frown fierce.
    “I’m not your problem to solve,” she said quietly.
    “You’re not a problem, period,” he replied, just as softly.
    “Mr. MacWilliam—”
    He snorted. “I think we’re past formalities, Emma. Call me Aidan.”
    Emma felt a headache coming on strong, and she glanced at the clock. “All right, Aidan. I couldn’t help you even if I wanted to.”
    He quirked a brow. “Really.”
    She folded her arms. “Really. The auction you want me to help you with is in less than six hours. I have no clothing to wear.” I have no clothing at all , she reflected morosely.
    “Why are you so unwilling to accept aid?”
    “Why are you so willing to give it?” she shot back.
    Aidan’s expression turned thoughtful. “That’s the question, isn’t it? You don’t trust my motives.”
    She remained silent, refusing to incriminate herself.
    He thought for a moment. “I rarely make mistakes.”
    She snorted. Wealthy and full of himself. Well, he’d fit right into my former client roster.
    He raised a brow but continued to speak. “My instincts have saved me more times than I care to remember. And my instincts are telling me that you’re the right person for this job.”
    “Is the position of Aidan MacWilliam’s publicity manager so difficult to staff, then?” she quipped.
    He smirked. “You’ll never know unless you take the chance.” His phone rang then, and he reached over to silence it. He rummaged in the satchel at his feet and withdrew the white binder.
    His phone rang again. Clearly annoyed, Aidan grabbed it and looked at the caller ID. He flashed her an apologetic grimace. “I have to take this. Excuse me?”
    She chewed her lip as she watched him leave the room, considering her reasons for turning down his offer.
    Well, first, you don’t know