****TRIGGER WARING****
Aria POV
I glare at the screen. I swear bad comes in threes and I’ve only seen two bad today, what’s next? I don’t know if I can handle anymore craziness.
The passenger door popped open, and Rex went crazy in the back seat as Katie lowered her body into the seat. Her purple hair covered the side of her face until she tilted her head back and moaned in pain. I could see the fingerprints around her throat. I could see the bruise swelling on her cheek and the knot forming on her nose. I took it all in stock and nodded.
“You don’t have to ask.” she said glancing over at me as she pulled the seat belt on.
I shook my head, “I wasn’t going to ask anything.&rdqu
Jasper POVI couldn't believe what Asher had just told me. I knew I never liked Leah but to find out what she was doing behind his back made my skin crawl. I know if Aria was to find out she would kick her ass. I watched as Aria talked to her brother on the phone and grinned when she asked if she could kick her ass. I called it."Ask him if we can video chat." I say before pressing a kiss to her shoulder. I know today had been a rough day all around, but we needed to get this over with.A knock on the front door distracted me as Aria relayed needing to video chat before hanging up the phone. Linc walked in carrying a box of our products and setting them on the counter. The door had barely closed behind him when Braylin walked in."I'm here bitches, where's the wine?" She ignored Lincs eyes and walked over to the counter and gave me a side hug."Hey old man, how's life? Are you trea
Linc added, "I do security for the bars, but I also am a certified bodyguard. I have contracts with celebrities and high-profile businessmen. I also work with law enforcement to help domestic victims find a safe place during trails. If I’m needed, I’m there." His eyes locked on Braylin who was suddenly very interested in a piece of string on her shirt that was loose. Asher speaks up from the screen, "I train every bartender and waiter at our bars. I also like to jump behind and help whenever and wherever I can. No one really knows about the whole billionaire thing unless they go digging." He shrugs his shoulders, "I never told Leah, guess it's a good thing now huh?" I grimace and lock eyes on Lori who is ignoring the screen and glaring at her phone. I hear Asher's phone beeps from the computer. I watch her lift her middle finger and flip the camera off subtly. I don't think anyone caught it but me and Asher. I grin, those two were about to crash. I don't know how or when, but it wa
Jasper POV Aria starts waving her hand in front of her face, "Damn the tension in here is high."I try not to laugh but she's right. Everyone around us was going crazy with sexual need. It was diverting all our attention."So, it's settled." I say trying to get back on track while Braylin and Linc glared at each other. I glance at the screen and see that Asher has left the meeting. I bet he was calling Lori. Or trying to figure out a way to deny his feelings.Aria was trying to not laugh and the uncomfortable situation we had found ourselves in. I lean over and growl in her ear, "Bet Lori and Asher get together before Braylin and Linc."She turned and grinned, "Oh you're on. I have a feeling our world is about to become even more interesting."I gripped her thigh and rubbed my thumb gently up and down, grounding myself from the insanity of this meeting. All I had wanted was to be able to give the shelter and the women
Aria POV It had taken a short time for Braylin to admit to having a stalker. Even longer for her to agree to have Linc as a bodyguard. I knew she had a huge crush on him, and if last night was any indication the heat when the two of them got together was going to either burn them alive or create something amazing. I'm just not sure which yet. It's been three days, and I feel more confused than ever. Jasper and I hadn’t talked about what we argued over that night. And honestly, I wasn’t ready to face what he wanted just yet.I turn the page of the Alley Ciz book I'm reading and get lost for a few minutes reading Jase and Melody's love story. Trying my best to not burst into laughter at the antics of the characters. That author has a way with words. Drawing you in until you feel like you are part of the story. She's one of my new favorite authors. I have no shame in saying I stalked her on social media. Reading is one of the best ways I know of
Am I ready to have another baby? I never thought I would have the chance again. I bite my lip and lean back pulling the seatbelt across my chest. I nodded my head once; I had Jasper and everyone this time. There is no doubt he will stand by me. I think back to the argument from three days ago: it's null and void now. We were going to have a baby. I was going to have to get over my fear and believe that he was going to stay. Asher had just gotten back this morning from his trip to Washington. He had Unhauled his stuff here himself and was moving into Jasper's apartment. Maybe I can ask Jasper to move in with me. I bit my lip as I started my car. It could be the best option. I turned up the radio and blasted Bad Wolves Zombie as I made my way to the shelter. I hoped the argument from the other day wouldn’t bite me in the ass today. Now that I know I’m pregnant, I want the baby. I want Jasper. I want forever. I want it all. I feel greedy for wanting the happily ever after. Bu
Aria POV“I had hoped not, but I don’t know. I mean look at me Lori, then look at him.”She glared at me, “There is not a damn thing wrong with you Aria. He would be stupid to cheat on you. Especially after searching for, you for so long. You’re his mate. Why would he want anyone else. I thought being mated meant that he would never stray?”“Maybe he just enjoyed searching. Maybe I’m not what he really wanted after all. Maybe this whole mate thing wasn’t real, and he just faked it all and marked me for no reason and now I’m stuck with a man who may not really love me.” I bit my lip and looked away, “It's been five years of searching, six weeks since they burst back into our lives. What if I’m not what he was hoping for?”“What if you are?” she asks.I shook my head, “Give me a week. We will be back next Friday. I just need to process.”Lori grabbed my arm, “What news did you get from the doctor?”I looked away and shook my head.“Oh no.” she pulled me into a hug. “How far along?” she
Why the fuck did I allow my sister to answer my phone? I knew I would be hearing from Aria soon. Jana and her family had surprised me after Aria texted me. I had run to the bathroom when Jana yelled out that Aria was calling me. Now she wasn’t answering her phone. She was pissed. I knew what she was thinking but she couldn’t be more wrong. I would never cheat on her. I slammed my hand against the door after she hung up on me after I got Eli to take the tablet to her. She refused to even look at my face on the screen, but I could see the pain in her eyes. I call Asher’s number, “Get Lori here now. Aria is running again.”“What the fuck do you mean she’s running?” he asks as he walks into my office.I hung up my phone, and glared at him, “She called earlier, Jana answered, and she pulled a runner before I could explain, get Lori in here before I go ballistic. I’m not going to let her sit around wherever she is with our son, thinking that I cheated on her. I know how her mind works. I
AriaThe doors were locked, I had a cup of hot chocolate on the table in front of myself, and a glass of milk in front of Eli. The game of Monopoly in front of us. I was about ninety nine percent sure my four-year-old was kicking my ass at this game. Yet, it didn’t bother me. What was bothering me was Lori’s text saying she and Braylin were crashing my week away with Eli.“Auntie Lori and Braylin are coming to hang with us.” I say softly as I watch him count his moves across the board, assisting him only when he asked me to. I was so proud of my smart boy. I knew I was lucky he was as advanced as he is.“Yay, they can play too!” he said happily as I ended up handing him more money. How I was losing to him when I was helping him play was beyond me but seeing him so happy was more than worth losing to a four-year-old.“Do you think Daddy can come play soon?” he asks, looking up at me with his big blue eyes. I bit my lip and looked away, “Not right now baby.” I said as I moved my piece