Chapter 41 He would risk anything but her.

Arwen had braced herself for a push or something even more dangerous. But what enveloped her next wasn't any push or suffering; it was a warm embrace. She had never hugged him before, but she could still tell it was him. As his custom cologne wafted through her nostrils, she muttered under her breath, "Aiden!" It came like a sigh of relief. "It's fine. I am here."@@@@ She heard him speak reassuringly, and for her, everything paused. The crowd no longer bothered her, nor did she fear them anymore. Suddenly with him, she felt like everything was alright —or at least it would be. As she was getting lost in the essence of his presence, a malicious comment snapped her back to the real situation; and she remembered the mob still crowding around her. "Who is this bastard? How dare he come to save her?" "Come on, let's teach him a lesson too." The moment Arwen heard their violent intent, her fingers tightened on his shirt, afraid for him. She shifted slightly in his embrace and looked up at him. "Careful, please," she said, her gaze filled with deep concern. When Aiden saw the worry in her eyes, he nodded assuring her. "Don't worry." Even though he said that, he didn't move. He stood there shielding her against everyone. Out of the corner of her eye, Arwen saw the shadows approaching mob, their hands raised as if ready to strike. Just as she feared it would get violent, several bodyguards appeared, forming a barricade to keep the crowd at bay. Everything happened so fast that she couldn't fully process it, but she heard Aiden's voice again. "Come with me," Aiden said, and Arwen looked at him, confused. He explained, "They will handle it. We can leave." She peeked at a glance behind him and saw more than twenty guards dressed in black commando outfits, forming an unbreakable an human wall. Who were they? Did he bring them here? Of course, he would risk anything, but not her. "Then how did you know?" Arwen asked. "I didn't. They are my people and always stay around me just in case they are needed, like today," he explained modestly, turning his attention back to the road. Arwen blinked, a little in surprise. "Always?" Aiden nodded. "They stay in the shadows. They only appear when needed, which is why you haven't seen before." Arwen realized she didn't know much about him, but the more she learned, the more surprised she became. Who was he, really, to have so many people surrounding him like that? She was about to ask him when she noticed something on his left shoulder. She hadn't seen it before because it was on the opposite side, but now that it was spreading, she couldn't ignore it. "What is that on your shoulder?" she asked abruptly. But Aiden remained very calm. "Nothing to worry about." For the first time, Arwen didn't believe him. She was afraid of what she might find but still needed to confirm it. Ignoring his reassurance, she leaned forward to see the other side, and her eyes widened in horror. "That's blood. Did you get hurt?" "I am fine. It's just a little scratch. There is nothing to worry about," he said again. But Arwen simply frowned at his nonchalance. "Stop the car and let me see." "Arwen—" "Aiden, if it happened because of me, I need to know. You can't deny that. And even if it's a small scratch, it still needs the treatment. Even the smallest injury shouldn't be ignored," she said firmly, gesturing to the side. "Please pull over and let me see." When he didn't respond, she gripped his arm and repeated, "I said stop the car on the side, Aiden."