Stefan shut the door, blocking out the terrible light, and Aidan’s arm circled her slender shoulders. “It will not be like this for all time, cara.”
“It’s not even nine o’clock in the morning. The sun is barely up yet.” Sobs were trying to push past the lump in her throat.
“Your skin must become accustomed to daylight slowly.” She felt the brush of his mouth on the top of her head.
Stefan started the car.
“Wait,” Aidan commanded, and Stefan obeyed instantly, turning in his seat in inquiry. Aidan remained silent, scanning the surrounding area, a slight frown touching his mouth. “Perhaps we could use the services of Vinnie del Marco and Rusty. Please get them here immediately, and instruct them to remain with Joshua until he is safe within the walls of our home. Arrange for one of their associates to remain with Marie as she goes about her business, and please ensure that she postpones as many errands as possible.” His voice was even and calm, without alarm, yet it frightened Alexandria.
“What is it?” she demanded. Stefan was asking no questions. Obviously he was well aware of the significance of Aidan’s orders. “Tell me. Joshua’s my brother. Is he in some kind of danger?”
Aidan’s arm tightened around her as the car pulled away from the school, preventing her from leaping from the moving vehicle in an attempt to get back to Joshua. Alexandria struggled, but he was enormously strong. “It will be taken care of.”
“You said vampires can’t take the dawn! Who else would hurt him? He’s just a little boy, Aidan. Bring him back to the house!” Her voice was veering out of control, bordering on hysteria.
“Joshua needs to live a normal life. Nothing will harm him. Vinnie and Rusty, very reliable bodyguards, will protect him. Joshua is not like us, Alexandria. He remains in the world of humans. We must return to the house and the sleeping chamber until the sun begins to sink.”
She hated his voice. So gentle, so compelling, mesmerizing her into doing anything he wanted. So reasonable, while she was out of control. He appeared not to notice her struggles, her hysteria. He made her feel her protests were childish, her behavior unreasonable. She took a deep breath and fought to regain control. “Let go, Aidan. I’m all right now.”
“I think I will hold you just a bit longer, piccola. I am in your mind, and I know that you seek to deceive both of us with your false composure. Relax, now, just breathe with me, and you will see that I have taken care of everything. Joshua will be safe with the arrangements I have made.”
“I don’t think you quite understand,” she enunciated distinctly. “I am Joshua’s sister. I am the one to decide what is safe for him or not. I want him with me.”
“He cannot be with you, Alexandria. It is impossible,” Aidan said patiently. His thumb found the frantic pulse at her throat and gently stroked it. “Joshua will remain in school.”
“It isn’t your affair. I want him home.”
“Do you think arguing with me is going to change what is? You are what you are, cara mia. There is nothing that can be done.” When she tried to move away from him, his arm prevented her escape.
“This arrangement is not going to work, Aidan. I refuse to allow you to dictate what I can or can’t do with Joshua. It isn’t your business.” Furious, she strained harder to get away from him, but she was beginning to feel so very tired.
Aidan cradled her head against his chest, his hand wrapped around her throat, her life’s pulse beating into his palm. “There is no way for you to live apart from me, Alexandria, and in your heart you know it is true. Perhaps that is why you struggle so desperately. You are not yet ready to surrender your freedom into my keeping.”
“I hate you.” He didn’t understand at all. From a very early age, she had been forced to take control of situations. She was used to it now. Liked it. She was good at it. Having someone else dictate her actions, tell her what she could or couldn’t do, was terrifying. And she feared that Joshua was slowly but surely being taken from her.