Chapter Two - Kahlan's POV - They're Coming For Me!

It was Christmas day, and yes… last night was the best Christmas crossover ever!

I perched on the edge of my bed, my fingers clenched around my phone, my mind looping through the events of last night like a never-ending reel.

How had everything fallen so perfectly into place?

For years in high school, Aldrich Maximus hadn't so much as glanced my way. To him, I had been invisible. I had even joined the cheerleading squad just to make him look at me. But he never did. And then last night… everything changed.

He had come into me. I had owned him.

Every fantasy I had ever spun about him had become reality—every stolen kiss, every whispered word, every slow, deliberate touch. I remembered it all. The way Aldrich's lips had sucked in mine, his deep, coarse voice as he kissed me, the way he grunted when I touched him. The way his body had felt moving against mine, inside me…

The thought of it alone made me shiver and moan again. I forced myself up.

Wait.

I needed to look at the bad sides, too.

"What if Tessa's right?" I muttered, tossing my phone onto the bed. "What if I'm just another girl to him?"

The thought of that churned my stomach. But then another memory surfaced—his eyes, dark and intense, locked on mine as if I were the only person in the room. Could that have been real?

A sudden buzz jolted me from my thoughts.

I snatched up my phone, my pulse hammering as I unlocked the screen. A text.

Aldrich: Hey, last night was... unexpected but great. Um… Meet me tonight at The Ivy at 7? If you don't have plans for Christmas?

My mouth fell open. To hell with every plan for Christmas. All I wanted for Christmas was him!

"He wants to see me again?" I whispered, barely able to breathe.

No way.

A surge of excitement shot through me, and before I could second-guess myself, I typed back.

Kahlan: Yes! I'd love to.

I hit send, then clutched my phone to my chest, a grin spreading across my face.

He wanted to see me again.

There was only one reason a guy would want to see a girl after a one-night stand—he wanted the experience again.

And God, I was dying for it.

As the hours crawled by, my excitement morphed into nervous anticipation. It had been so long since I had thought about going on a real date. And, of course, newsflash—my best friend was completely against this.

Still, I agonized over what to wear, discarding dress after dress until I settled on a sleek black number that hugged me in all the right places. The minutes stretched, slow and torturous, until evening finally arrived.

As I applied a final touch of makeup, my phone buzzed again.

Aldrich: Looking forward to tonight. See you soon.

I exhaled, my lips curving into a smile. My nerves settled, giving way to pure anticipation.

"This night is going to be everything," I whispered.

I was living my dream.

Rising to my feet, I grabbed my purse and made for the door. But something made me stop.

A flicker of movement outside my window.

Frowning, I stepped closer, parting the curtain just enough to peer outside. My breath caught.

Several black cars were parked across the street, sleek and ominous. My stomach twisted as my gaze landed on the branding on the side of one of them.

The Walsh Family.

My blood ran cold.

What in the world were they doing here?

I paced the small living room, my heart thundering in my chest as I peeked out the window once more. The black cars were still there. Unmoving. Watching.

Waiting for me.

A shiver ran down my spine. What did they want now?

I pressed my hands against my temples, trying to calm my racing thoughts. There was only one reason they'd come with this many men.

They were taking me back to London.

If I went now, it meant leaving Aldrich behind. The thought hit me like a punch to the gut. I had just found him—just tasted something real. And now, just like that, I had to let him go?

No. Not yet.

Movement outside caught my attention. The men were getting out of the cars, dressed in their usual dark suits, their expressions unreadable. But I knew better. They were impatient. They wouldn't wait much longer. I took a shaky step back.

Then I ran.

Snatching my purse, I slipped out the back door, my pulse hammering as I darted into the cool night air. I hailed a cab.

"The Ivy," I gasped. "As fast as you can."

***

The moment I stepped inside the restaurant, my nerves tangled into knots. The air was warm, scented with wine and expensive cologne, but my mind was stuck outside—stuck on those cars.

Until I saw him.

Aldrich.

His dark suit was tailored perfectly, his hair combed back in that effortlessly charming way. When his eyes found mine, his lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.

My stomach flipped.

"Kahlan," he said, standing as I approached.

God, why did he have to be so perfect?

"Hi," I whispered.

"You're late." He smirked, pulling out a chair for me.

"Traffic," I mumbled, sitting down. I hesitated, glancing at him, then at the exit. How was I supposed to tell him that my whole life was about to be ripped away?

"Glad you made it," Aldrich said, his voice softer now.

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. "Me too."

A waiter appeared, placing menus in front of us. We ordered wine and began a conversation, although he was doing all the talking and every now and then, I was drifting between how perfect he looked and the reality of the danger I was in. And that was when I saw it.

Their black cars pulling into the parking lot.

My breath hitched, my hands curling into fists under the table. I tried to look away, but it was too late.

Aldrich noticed. "Kahlan?" His voice was firmer now. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. Too quickly.

But he followed my gaze, his jaw tightening.

"Kahlan." His voice dropped lower, rougher. He reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine. A shiver ran through me, but not from fear. "Tell me what's going on."

I sucked in a shaky breath. "My family…" I swallowed. "They're here."

Aldrich frowned. "Okay? And…?"

"They've come to take me back to London." The words felt foreign on my tongue, as if saying them made them real. "I don't know why, but if they find me, I'm leaving tonight."

His whole body went rigid. "Leaving?"

"I don't have a choice," I whispered. "If I don't go with them, they'll make things worse."

Aldrich's gaze darkened. He turned back to the window. He was already coming in.

Jim Walsh.

My uncle.

Aldrich stood, his entire demeanor shifting. He was no longer just the man I had spent the night with. No longer the charming billionaire with an easy smile.

No.

He was something else now.

And it made my heart stop.

"You don't have to go," he said, his voice low, unwavering. "Stay with me."

I stared at him, my throat tight. "Aldrich, you don't understand."

"I understand more than you think." His eyes locked onto mine. "I won't let them take you."

I wanted to believe him.

"There you are, Kahlan," Jim said smoothly, making his way toward us. "We've been looking everywhere for you."

Aldrich tensed beside me.

"I'm fine, Uncle Jim," I said coldly. "What do you want?"

Jim's smile didn't falter. "We need to talk. Privately."

"She's not going anywhere," Aldrich said.

Jim turned to him, his eyes narrowing. "And you are?"

"Her friend."

Jim sighed, feigning patience. "Well, friend, this is a family matter. So if you don't mind—"

"I do mind."

The tension snapped tight.

I swallowed hard, placing a hand on Aldrich's arm. "It's okay," I said softly.

Aldrich turned to me, disbelief flashing in his eyes. "Kahlan—"

"I have to go." My voice cracked. I looked up at him, memorizing every sharp angle of his face, every unspoken word in his eyes. "But…" My voice wavered. "I'll wait for you. I promise."

His grip on my hand tightened. His jaw clenched.

Then, suddenly, his lips were on mine.

The world disappeared.

For one perfect, fleeting moment, nothing else mattered. Not Jim. Not London. Not the men waiting outside.

Just us.

When he pulled away, he whispered, "This won't be our last kiss." His breath was warm against my skin. "Wait for me."

The men closed in. My time was up.