Cyan groans and sits up, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Why do you need us to handle this?” Cyan snaps.
Johnny sighs. “Because I don’t think you want her hurt.”
Cyan scoffs. “Thomas and Lucilla’s squabbling. Tell Troy to handle it.” I’m on my feet.
“It’s not Lucilla.” Johnny pauses long enough for my pulse to spike. I slip on my robe.Please don’t let it be Elana.
“She’s Aria’s best friend.”
I hear her, clearer this time, a familiar voice, furious and unfiltered.
“Look, you stupid Irish motherfucker, you put your hands on me again, and I’ll crush your dick!” I freeze. There’s only one person in the world who curses like that at armed mobsters with zero fear.Tasha is back in town.
Forty-Three
“Loyalty shouldn’t have to choose sides. But when love becomes a battlefield, even the truth hides behind enemy lines.”–Aria Boschett.
My unease churns as Cyan and I leave our bedroom, . We descend the stairs into the open-concept living area, Tasha stands rigid, her grip iron-tight around her cherished bat, Trevor. She hoists it in a fluid motion, muscles coiling with alarming ferocity. In a swift arc, she brings it down with all the power she has. Trevor meets Collin’s shoulder with a smack that reverberates through the room.
“Touch me again, pretty boy, and I’ll have Trevor kiss you on the face next. If you don’t get what I mean, let me simplify it for your stupid ass. I’ll fuck up that face of yours.” Her bat hovers inches from his face while Collin’s shoulder hangs at an odd angle. What baffles me is how casual everyone seems. Rosa is making breakfast like it’s any other day. Troy is lounging on the island, scrolling on his phone. Thomas and Sebastian sip coffee at the table, watching the spectacle like it’s their morning show.
I’m tugging on Cyan’s arm. “Cyan, do something. Tash isn’t kidding. She’ll bash his head in. When Tasha’s like this, she acts first and never thinks.”
“Collin doesn’t want us getting involved,” Troy interjects.
“He doesn’t? Interesting,” Cyan says, completely unfazed.
Troy adds, “Think this is a first, hey?”
I stare at them, horrified. “Guys, look at Collin’s arm!” How could they not see that Tasha meant every word?
“Don’t stress about it, Aria. Collin, let her hit him,” Cyan mutters, with a casual ease. No one moves to stop her. Guilt coils tight in my chest. This is my fault. I’ve been avoiding her calls. Collin murmurs something to Tasha that I can’t catch. Her jaw tightens. She raises Trevor high over her head, ready to strike.
“Tasha!” I shout, pulling her attention away from Collin. She whirls around, marching toward me. Cyan steps in front of me, blocking her path. Her eyes lock on him, all fury. “Hey, girl,” I say awkwardly, very aware of how I must look: messy hair, swollen lips, Cyan’s robe, half tied. She scans me from head to toe.
“Ari, shit, girl, I’ve been calling you for days. I thought something happened to you!” Her voice cracks between fury and worry, and guilt slams into me.
I tighten my robe, unable to meet her eyes. “Sorry, Tash. I’m all good.”
“You kept sending those lame-ass texts–call you later. What was I supposed to think?”
“I didn’t mean to scare you. Things just got… complicated.”
Tasha throws up her hands. “Complicated?” she snaps. “Girl, you ghosted me the minute I got back from Florida. I drove from Boston to Crescent Bay, and when I got to your house, no one was home. I called your aunt.” Her jaw clenches. “Of all the things I expected it sure as hell wasn’t hearing you’re shacked up with the Capo Bastone of Boston. Dread creeps up my spine. The Aria I know doesn’t do shit like that. My intuition is screaming at me. So, Ari, tell me, what aren’t you saying?”
Guilt floods my stomach, and I lift my left hand, showing her the large princess-cut diamond ring. “I’m not just shacked up, Tash. I’m engaged.”
“Da fuck?” Seeing the ring, Tasha swings Trevor, her eyes blazing. Before her hit lands, Collin’s uninjured arm snaps around her, locking her into his chest like a steel trap.
He leans in, his voice low, intimate, and far too calm. “I’ll let you bang me anytime, but nobody touches my brother while I’m near.”
Tasha freezes for a single beat. Collin tone is different; it’s not his usual cocky playboy tone. My bestie isn’t happy about being restrained. She hisses. “I should’ve crushed your balls, not your fucking shoulder.” The room erupts with laughter.
“I like her, Aria,” Cyan chuckles, looking at me grin wide, glinting. “She’s got more balls than most men who first met us. Oi, Tasha… Aria’s safe. Col will release you if you promise to behave, and you two can talk in private.” Tasha glares daggers at Cyan before glancing to me, her brows wrinkling.
“Tash, I’m good, I swear.”
“I don’t believe you.” Tasha snaps, her chin jutting out. “I heard you screaming, Aria.”
