I stand up, my chair scraping loudly. “You don’t get to make that decision for me! I know the truth now, and I will fucking kill for you two. You don’t have to run from me because you think I need protecting!” I snap, feeling that familiar mix of anger and determination bubbling up inside me.
Jackson looks at me, his gaze softening, but only slightly. “I know you would. To be completely honest with you, that’s what scares me.” He says quietly, “This is something we don’t want you involved in. We thought we could protect you from all this. But now…” He glances at Beau, then back at me, “Now it might be too late.”
Beau’s expression tightens as he leans back in his chair, his voice quiet but filled with that familiar weight of burden. “We’ve been on the run for a reason, Aria. This isn’t just bad luck or a coincidence. Now we’ve got someone who knows who we are and where we are. They want money to keep our secret, and I’m almost positive it’s an amount we don’t have. But that’s not even the worst part.” He pauses, his gaze flicking between Jackson and me. “You shouldn't have to carry our chaos. But now it's yours too. We can’t risk you getting hurt. The only people who would have recognized us, aside from law enforcement, are people from Florida… and they’re dangerous.”
I sit there, stunned for a moment. My mind is struggling to process the intensity of the situation. They’re in trouble. Real trouble. And now I’m part of it.
I shake my head, looking between them. My voice is firm, and way stronger than I feel inside. “No. No more running. You promised you wouldn’t leave me again. I’m not going to sit here while you go off and do whatever it takes to keep me safe at the cost of possibly your own life.” I can feel my heart racing in my chest. This helplessness is driving me crazy.
Jackson’s eyes soften, but he doesn’t speak up. Beau, however, stands up, his fist balled up tight. “Aria, this isn’t something you canjust—”
“I can take care of myself!” I cut him off quickly, my voice sharp. “A few years ago, I took several Krav Maga classes. I know how to fight hand to hand. I'm not fragile, and I'm sure as hell not useless.”
Beau blinks, surprise flickering across his face. “You what?”
I cross my arms, standing my ground. “I’ve got skills. Not that I’m some kind of martial arts expert, but I know how to throw a punch and defend myself if I need to.” I take a deep breath, feeling a little more calm. “And if you guys are so worried about me being vulnerable, why not take me to get weapons? You both seem to have money from somewhere. I might not know how to use a gun… I’m scared of them, honestly…but I’m sure there are ways around that. I can learn. You both can help me.”
Beau's expression softens, but there’s still a hint of worry in his eyes. He walks to me, placing his hand on my shoulders. “Aria…you’re not some random person to us at this point. You’re ours now. And we can’t—" he breaks off, taking a deep breath. “We can’t lose you.”
“I know you want to protect me,” my voice is quieter now, but still firm. “But I’m not some fragile thing you can hide away in a corner. Someone you can easily dispose of. Like you said…I belong to both of you now. I’m in this with you all the way. I thought I proved that point last night.”
Beau looks at Jackson, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, he exhales deeply. “Alright, we hear you. We do have a good amount of money put back, and we still get money wired to us from the club each month. We’ll do whatever you need to feel safe. If that means me going with you to get weapons, then I will do that for you.”
Jackson rubs the back of his neck, looking thoughtful. “I think we need to make a call to Nolan and Liam,” he says, his voice low but steady. “They’ve been through this whole process with us from day one, and I'm sure they would like to know the situation we have found ourselves in. They still have club connections. Plus, they will understand how to keep not just us but Aria safe as well.” He glances at Beau, then back at me.
I nod, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Beau pulls me into his arms, his voice low and reassuring. “We’re not leaving you, Aria. Ever again. Just listen, okay? If Jackson or I tell you to do something, you need to listen to us. Do not think you have this whole thing figured out because I promise you that you don’t.”
I breathe in his scent, the familiar comfort of him grounding me as my heart races. “I trust you both. You will not regret trusting me with this. I promise.”
Jackson watches us for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Alright, you two need to gear up. I will hang back today and make some phone calls.”
I pull away from Beau and walk over to Jackson, wrapping my arms around him. “I love you both and I'm ready for whatever we have to do to keep from getting into more trouble than you two are already in."
Chapter 4
Aria
Beau’s hands are steady on the wheel as he drives us to the center of town. I glance out the window, my thoughts swirling with everything that’s happened this morning. The worst thing that could happen from all of this is they're taken away from me and sent off to prison or, even worse, shipped back to Florida to go to prison. As much as I hate to admit it, I can’t pretend I’m not scared. I’m scared for them, for me, and for what comes next for us in our relationship.
Beau pulls into the parking lot of a store called Crimson Curse Armory, a large, plain building nestled between a couple of other storefronts. It’s not the kind of place I’d ever go to if I were out shopping. But since meeting my men here I am, walking toward a whole new reality.
“Alright, time to arm the queen.” Beau says, glancing at me with that panty-dropping grin I’ve come to know so well.
I give him a nervous smile, trying to steady my breath. “You know I’m still not comfortable with guns,” I mutter, my fingers fighting with the hem of my jacket. “I don’t know how to use or even hold one.”
He chuckles softly. “Don't worry, I already have a plan for that." He teases.
I slide out of the car, the cool February air biting against my skin, even through my jacket. I roll my shoulders back, trying to shake off the nerves, but they linger. The last thing I ever thought I’d need in my life was a damn gun. Sure, I can handle myself…thick body, sharp tongue, and a temper to match…but weapons? That’s a different beast all on its own.
Beau doesn’t seem to notice the nervous edge in my movements, or maybe he’s just pretending not to. His tall figure looms beside me, dark and brooding. He’s dressed in all black, the shade of danger itself. He doesn’t need a weapon…and neither does Jackson…because they are a weapon all on their own.
The doorbell chimes as we enter the store. The air smells of gunpowder, metal, and something sharp. There’s a low hum of murmuring in the background as other customers look through the display case.
Beau turns to look at me. “Alright, baby, it's time to get some backup to go with your fighting moves.”
I cross my arms and give him a sideways glance. “How much stuff do I need?”
Beau looks over at me, his grin growing wider. “Depends on how much you value your life.”
