His words are like a gentle caress. A declaration that pulls at my heart in ways I didn’t expect. I can’t help but smile, my chest swelling with his words and the crazy amount of love I have for this man. But before I can say anything, I feel Beau’s hand on my arm. He gently turns me toward him and he leans down to meet my gaze. His expression serious now, yet still filled with the warmth I adore.
“My turn.” He murmurs.
I don’t need him to say anything more I already know what he wants. I look into his eyes and take a deep breath, then whisper his name. The name that now feels as much a part of me as it is of him.
“Wren…”
The second his name leaves my mouth, something shifts in Beau. It’s like every wall he’s ever put up just... falls. His eyes lose that sharp edge, softening in a way I’ve never seen before. His whole face changes to something open, raw, almost vulnerable. For a second, he looks lighter. He looks like he's been carrying this weight for so long and it just disappeared. This feels like I'm finally seeing my men for who they are. Not the tough front they wear but the true man underneath.
“I never thought I would hear you say that.” He says with a crack in his voice.
I rest my head against his chest. My heart is racing as I wrap my arms around him, trying to hold onto this moment.
I feel the gravity of the life they’ve led. I feel like I can understand the sacrifices they’ve made. This makes the trust they’ve given me by sharing what they have with me even more special. It’s not just a name. It’s a piece of who they are, a part of their past they’ve carried alone for so long.
Beau pulls back slightly, still holding me close, but his fingers gently trace the curve of my cheek. Jackson steps forward, his hand resting on my shoulder, giving me a small, knowing smile.
Just as I’m soaking in the moment, Liam’s voice cuts through the air, breaking the silence.
“We’re pretty whipped from the ride here,” he says, sounding both exhausted and a little amused. He stretches his arms above his head with a groan, clearly feeling the long journey. “We just wanted to stop in, say our greetings, and give you guys those.” He adds, motioning toward the vests with a nod.
He glances between Jackson and Beau, then at me with a small, genuine smile. “We can meetup again tomorrow to discuss everything further. But for now… well, it was good to see you both again, brothers.” he says, his voice low, thick with the kind of brotherhood I can’t fully comprehend but absolutely feel in the way he says it. “And it was nice to meet you, Aria.” He gives me a nod, his gaze warm, but he’s already starting to turn toward the door.
Before I can even get a word out, Nolan’s already behind Liam, walking out the door together. “We’ll catch up tomorrow, and hey, don’t worry. It’ll all work out the way it needs to." He says, voice easy, like this is all normal, like nothing just happened.
The moment the door closes, everything feels still. This was unexpected, but I feel like it has brought us closer. After I heard their story on Valentines Day, I never had the courage to ask their real names. I wanted the time to be right, and I wouldn't have picked any other way than how it happened today. I hear the unmistakable roar of the motorcycle engines come to life, and the sound slowly fades as they drive away.
I'm standing between Jackson and Beau, and my heart hasn't stopped racing. I feel like this is what we needed in the middle of our new crazy life. Both of them move in closer to me, wrapping their arms around me in a perfect cradle. Their presence is like a shield, strong and steady. I can feel their bodies relax into mine. The stress replaced bysomething calmer, something that feels like home. Even if it is temporary I'm happy I could give them this comforting moment.
Chapter 9
Aria
I move around the kitchen, the clink of the coffee cups filling the quiet. The soft hum of the guys' conversation in the background. I’m probably supposed to be paying attention, supposed to be a part of this but my mind is elsewhere. It’s hard to focus when all I can think about is how to solve this problem on my own.
Jackson and Beau are talking to Liam and Nolan, filling them in on everything. How it all started that wild night at the biker bar on Valentines Day, then the text Beau received, and finally the damn brick being thrown through the window of my bookstore. The whole thing feels like a jigsaw puzzle, but right now, I’m the only one who sees how the pieces fit together.
Liam and Nolan are listening intently, but I can tell they’re also sizing up the situation, trying to figure out who’s behind it all. My hands move on autopilot as I measure out coffee grounds, pour hot water into the Frenchpress, and let the smell of coffee fill the air. It’s comforting. But it’s not enough to clear the weight from my shoulders.
The plan is already forming in my mind, and the more I think about it, the more certain I become. I can handle this. I don’t need them to fix this if I can do it alone. I just need to get out of the house, get to the bookstore, and wait. If whoever threw that brick wants to play games, I’ll be the one to finish it. Not just finish it but win the whole damn game. I’ll make sure it ends tonight.
If I can just get some time alone, if I can just slip away unnoticed, I’ll be ready. I’ll go get a pizza since it is already nearing seven at night and no one has cooked. But then, I’ll change my path and head toward the problem. I’ll make sure there is no one left to hurt us and they can't be mad at me for that.
As I pour coffee into the cups, I’m barely listening to the guys anymore. They’re still talking about who they think is behind this. They’ve mentioned a few possibilities, but honestly, I don’t care.
I can already feel the weight of the weapons under my clothes, the cool steel of the knife and gun tucked securely on my body. It’ll be enough. I’ll make sure of it. The idea of taking them down before they even know I’m there sends a cold rush through my veins, but in a way, I’m almost eager for it. This must be what they felt like that day their liveschanged forever. They didn’t care about the outcome as long as the person they cared about was safe.
I snap myself out of the haze of my thoughts when I realize I’ve poured hot coffee down my hand. I hurry and run the cold water washing off the steaming liquid and figure it’s time to get my head back into the game.
When I finally set the coffee down in front of everyone, they stop talking and look up at me. I force a smile, my heart racing in my chest, but it’s not for the same reason it used to be. It’s not because I’m sitting between my men. It’s because I’m ready. For whatever comes next.
Jackson watches me for a second. He's learned how to read my expressions in the months that we have lived together. I’m sure he sees something there, some shift in my eyes, but I'm hoping he just thinks it's stress and anxiety of hosting guests. Finally he looks away and takes a sip of his coffee with a quiet thanks, and the conversation starts back up.
Jackson and Beau are having a great time catching up with their friends, but I’m thinking of the finishing touches I'll do to end this poor idiot's life.
I’m not the helpless one anymore. I’m going to fix all of this. Tonight.
I stand from the couch, stretching the stiffness out of my legs. The guys are still talking, deep into their conversation, but I’m completely checked out. I can feel my thoughts spinning, ready for the night to begin.
