Ryan’s expression shifts. Something uncomfortable crossing his face.
“We met freshman year,” he confirms slowly. “Became friends. And when Aria married Dominic, we stayed in touch. I looked out for her.”
“Because you love her,” I say. It’s not a question.
“We’re partners,” Ryan says, but there’s something defensive in his tone now.
“Right. Partners.” I laugh, the sound bitter. “Except she’s in love with someone else. Someone who doesn’t want her. And you’re helping her try to get him back by eliminating me. That must feel great, Ryan. Really good for your self-esteem.”
“Shut up,” Aria hisses.
“Why?” I ask. “It’s the truth, isn’t it? Ryan’s been in love with you for years. Probably since college. And you’ve been using him to get back at Silas for choosing me. That’s some twisted shit, Aria. Even for this family.”
“You don’t know anything,” Aria says, but her voice lacks conviction.
“I know enough.” I look between them. “I know you’re both so focused on what you think you deserve that you can’t see you’re destroying yourselves. Ryan, you’re never going to have her. Aria, you’re never going to have Silas. And no amount of kidnapping or revenge or elaborate schemes is going to change that.”
“We’ll see,” Ryan says, but I can see doubt creeping into his expression now. “When your men get here, when they have to choose between their lives and yours, we’ll see how much they actually love you.”
“They’ll choose me,” I say with certainty. “Every single time. Because that’s what love is. And neither of you understand that because you’ve spent so long focused on what you want that you’ve forgotten what it means to actually put someone else first.”
A knock on the door interrupts us. Sharp, urgent.
“What?” Ryan calls out, irritation in his voice.
One of the guards opens the door. “Sir, we have a problem. Communications are down. All of them. Cell service, radio, internet. Everything.”
Ryan’s expression shifts instantly from irritated to alert. “Since when?”
“Just now. Complete blackout. Someone’s jamming us.”
Ryan looks at Aria. She’s already moving to a laptop on the kitchen counter, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
“He’s right,” she says, and there’s tension in her voice now. “Professional-grade jamming. Military equipment. Someone knows exactly what they’re doing.”
“Can you break through it?” Ryan demands.
“Not quickly enough.” Aria’s still typing, but I can see frustration building. “Whoever’s doing this is good. Really good.”
“Cal,” I say, and I can’t keep the satisfaction out of my voice. “That’s Cal. He found me.”
Ryan pulls out a gun, checking it with practiced efficiency. Then he walks over to me, pressing the barrel against my temple.
Cold metal against skin. The threat suddenly very real.
“Then I guess your baby daddies are here,” Ryan says, his voice cold.
He looks at Aria, then back at me, and smiles.
And through the window, I see movement in the trees.
They’re here.
I can’t believe we spent so much time trying to hide our quad,I think, hysteria bubbling up.I wonder what sorts of relationship problems normal couples have.
51
SILAS
