17. Chapter Seventeen #2
“No. I didn’t want to risk either Aria or Dante getting hurt. You know how chaotic Finn can be. How impulsive. I played it safe and let him go with Aria.”
“I didn’t blame him for it,” Dante explains. “I couldn’t put Aria at risk.”
“So you let Finn go… again? I’m seriously starting to question your loyalties, Dante. Every time Finn shows up, you seem incapable of killing him.”
“Aiden can’t kill him either,” Dante objects.
“That’s because he’s my brother. But I haven’t stopped any of you from killing him. Even though it…” A darkness covers Aiden’s eyes. Elena leans into him, murmuring quiet words to him.
“Is there any way you can make peace with Finn?” I ask.
Erik gives me a flat look. “He just tried to kill me. You got hurt because of it. No. I don’t think there’s any way to make peace with him.
Finn needs to die. I will kill him next time I get the chance.
I will not hesitate. Everyone in this room needs to understand that.
” He gives Aiden and Dante a particularly hard look.
“I get it,” Dante says. “I want him dead too. He kidnapped Aria just to piss me off. That can’t stand.”
“Aiden?” Erik asks.
After a long moment, Aiden sighs. “He’s still my brother and he always will be. But he showed up at my house and tried to threaten Elena. I shot him. It was the first time I was ever able to do that. If Finn comes back and tries to hurt my wife, I will… I’ll do what needs to be done.”
“What about what I want?” I ask. Everyone turns to look at me.
“And what do you want?” Dante asks, crossing his arms. “You better tell me to spare Finn’s life.”
“He’s my husband. I… care for him, despite everything.”
Erik eyes darken. “If you’re choosing your husband’s side, Aria, then that makes you an enemy to us.”
“Woah. Hey.” Dante steps in front of me. “Slow down there. You know Aria isn’t an enemy to us.”
“I hope she isn’t but if she’s on Finn’s side, she could tell him what we’re planning. It’s better she remains with her dad under observation until Finn is dead.”
“No,” I say. “I don’t want to be controlled again.”
“Aria, enough,” Dante hisses. “Just stay quiet and let me handle this. Erik, if you hurt Aria, then we’re through. We’re no longer partners. I know you won’t risk that.”
“I won’t,” he agrees. “But she needs to be watched. I’m not ordering Aria to die.
Don’t worry. Just watch her while I go kill Finn.
This needs to be over for good. Now we have Viktor back at war with us we have to contend with.
He will not stop until we’re all taken down.
If Finn is dead, that will weaken Viktor. ”
Dante nods. “Understood. I’ll bring Aria home.”
“This isn’t fair,” I object.
“Aria, shut up. I’m taking you home. Are we done here?”
Erik nods with the ultimate superiority he possesses. He’s in a room full of Italians and yet, he’s the most powerful man in here. I’m not sure how he does it.
Dante brings me back home. Nadia stayed behind to leave with Anya and Erik, giving Dante and me some time just the two of us.
“Your dad will be excited to see you. I told him not to come to the hospital. That I was taking you back home.”
“Fine.” I don’t look at him as I open the car door.
“Aria,” Dante warns. “I know you’re not happy with me. But you can’t care for Finn. He will drag you down with him. You know that. He is dangerous and that is something you cannot forget.”
“Nadia fought hard to be with you when Erik wanted you dead. Elena fought hard to be with Aiden when you all were trying to kill him. Why can’t I fight too?” I slam the door on Dante’s stunned face before I march inside.
I’m in my dad’s arms the second I walk through the door. “Oh, Aria. Thank god you’re safe.”
I don’t hesitate to hug him right back. Even though I don’t want Finn to die, I’m not going to complain about being back home. I missed my dad and being with him again feels right.
“I’m here,” I tell him. “I’m home.”
Aiden and Elena come to visit me the next day.
“You should go,” my father says once he opens the door. “Aria is tired. She needs to rest. No visitors.”
“Dad, it’s fine. Did you guys need something?”
“What they need to do is go.” Dad looks Aiden up and down with a sneer. “I never trusted you. Not with who your brother is. He hurt my daughter. You should feel ashamed to call Finn your brother.”
“Aiden can’t help who his brother is,” Elena says. “We’re here to offer Aria some support. If anyone knows Finn the most, it’s us. I just wanted to make sure she’s ok.”
“She’s ok. Clearly you can see that she’s ok. Now go.”
“Dad,” I say, getting in front of him. “They can stay. I’m fine. I’m not a little girl anymore. I don’t need you to coddle me.”
“You’ve just been through something traumatic. You need me right now.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I love my dad but I don’t need him as much as he thinks.
I’m glad to have him back in my life but I didn’t miss his constant overprotectiveness.
I’m a woman now. Married. No longer a virgin.
I know what it’s like to be truly scared and I know what it’s like to have my heart and eyes open up.
But of course my dad doesn’t see any of that.
“I’m fine,” I say to him. “I want to talk to Aiden and Elena. Let them in.”
He sighs and motions them inside the house. We all settle into the living room with me and Elena on the couch, Aiden in the chair by the fireplace and my dad, pacing around the room because he’s too anxious to sit still.
“How are you doing?” I ask Elena, nodding at her belly.
She runs her hand over her stomach. “I should be asking you that.” Elena is just two years older than me but already she feels so much more mature. I guess pregnancy will do that to you.
“I’m… fine, I guess. Given everything.” I don’t tell them that I still see Sal’s face at night, torturing me or Finn’s hungry eyes, showing me pleasure. Neither is appropriate guest conversation.
“Aria,” Aiden says, leaning forward, “I need to know. Did my brother ever hurt you?”
“Why do you want to know that?”
“Because I just need to know. I need to know what he’s capable of. Fully.”
“You don’t know?”
Aiden flushes a little. “I know the man he used to be. I know the bad things he’s done. The things… we both did. But he was never one to torture women. I just need to know what he did to you.”
My dad covers his ears. “I don’t want to hear this.”
“Then leave the room,” I snap more harshly than I mean. Aiden and Elena stare at me in shock.
My dad looks at me with hurt in his eyes. “I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. But I’ll give you your space if that’s what you need.” It’s awkward as he leaves the room.
I sigh. “I didn’t mean to sound harsh. I’m just tired of him hovering. He hovered over me all last night and now this morning. I’m already getting tired of it.”
“He just worries,” Elena says. “My dad… he used to worry about me.”
I flinch. Elena’s dad was killed. By Finn.
“I’m sorry,” I say to her.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I’m just saying. I wish I still had my dad with me to worry over me. Don’t take your dad for granted.”
“I won’t. But I’ve changed since Finn took me. I’m no longer the same person and my dad will never see that.”
“You’re his little girl.”
“I know.”
“Aria,” Aiden says. “I don’t mean to be persistent but I need to know.”
“No,” I practically groan. “Finn did not hurt me. He did not torture me, unless you count psychological torture a thing.”
“I do,” he says flatly.
“No. Finn did not hurt me. He saved me from Sal Alvin. Since then… we grew closer. I don’t hate your brother, Aiden, so if you’re here to see if your brother is beyond saving so you can side with Dante and Erik and kill him, then think again.
You’re not getting that from me. I think Finn has a good side. I’ve seen it. I even met your mom.”
His eyes widen. “You did.”
“I’ve seen the kind parts to Finn. I’m not saying those kind parts are there often and he drives me insane and I don’t agree with his anger to kill Erik and Dante but… I know he has some goodness in him.”
Elena shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “I just find that hard to believe. After everything Finn did to me… I’m worried he’s still out to get me.”
“I don’t think he is. I know Finn hurt you and I would never pretend like he didn’t. But I don’t think he wants to hurt you, Elena. He doesn’t hurt kids. He told me that. And since you have a baby on the way…” I nod at her belly. “You’re safe from him. I believe that wholeheartedly.”
“You’ve known my brother for only a couple of weeks. I’ve known him longer. He’s a man who doesn’t change.”
“Aiden, are you looking for an excuse to kill him? Or are you trying to learn that your brother isn’t as bad as you hope? Which is it?”
“A little but of both,” he admits.
“Finn is a problem, yes. But I think he can be convinced to make peace. It won’t be easy but I think we could do it.
You and me. His wife and brother. And no, he’s not fully evil.
He has some good in him. I’ve seen it. I’m tied to him now whether I want to be or not.
That’s the truth, Aiden. Either accept it or don’t. ”
It looks like tears are about to well up in Aiden’s eyes before he blinks them away. “Thank you for that. To know there’s someone else out in this world who believes in saving my brother.”
Elena places her hand on his arm for comfort. “I may be afraid of Finn but I know he’s your brother. I know you love him and I’ve accepted that. If Finn has really changed… then it would be nice not to be so afraid of him any longer.”
My dad comes back into the living room. “I’ve put out some lunch if anybody wants something to eat.”
“I’m good,” Aiden says, standing up. “We should get back home.”
Elena meets my eyes and smiles. “I think Aria might need somebody to talk to a moment longer. I’ll stay behind. You can come pick me up in an hour or so. If that’s ok?” she asks me.
“I’m ok with it.” Elena and I haven’t spoken a whole ton over the past two years she and Aiden have been married but it would be nice to get to know her more. And it beats talking to my dad a moment longer.
Aiden gives her a short tender kiss before leaving the house. My dad agrees to give us more space.
“You really love him,” I say to her.
“I do. I fell in love with a hitman.” She pauses. “And I take it you did too.”
I can’t meet her in the eye as I nod. “I don’t know if it’s love. But I do know I care for him.”
“I was able to look past Aiden’s past because he saved me and showed that he could change. If Finn can do the same…”
“How would you be able to forgive him? After what he did to you?”
“I lost my dad almost two years ago now. It still hurts when I think of him but the sting has lessened. I’m not as angry because holding onto anger for so long will kill you. And I wanted to be happy instead.”
“I hope Finn can let go of his anger. I just don’t know if he can.”
A loud bang comes from the front door, making Elena and me jump to our feet. My dad and one of his guards runs into the living room right as the front door is kicked open.
And in walks Sal himself.