Chapter 9 #2
The server smiles at Ethan. “Your bill has been taken care of.”
Ethan and I exchange a glance before he asks, “By whom?”
The server gestures toward the large table. “The gentleman sitting with the mayor.” My stomach plummets as I stare at Cyan MacBrady.
Glasz eyes watch me, and my pulse hammers.
For months, I convinced myself he was gone, that he just enjoyed playing mind games.
He lifts his glass, a silent toast. A slow, deliberate reminder: I never left.
Then, he moves, rising from his seat, tall, and commanding.
Every step brings him closer. My fingers tighten around the napkin in my lap.
I want to run. But I force myself to stay still.
“Hello, Aria. It’s nice to see you again.”
I force myself to breathe and take a quick glance at Ethan, his mouth slightly ajar as he looks up at Cyan.
I tear my eyes from Ethan to Cyan. “Hello, Mr. MacBrady. I’m surprised to see you here.” My voice is steady, controlled. But inside, I’m unraveling.
He tilts his head, studying me before turning to Ethan. “Cyan MacBrady.”
Ethan snaps his mouth shut, his jaw tightening. He squares his shoulders, his entire posture shifting. “Detective Ethan Knight.” Detective? My stomach drops. He’s in law enforcement? Shit. I’m dead… so dead. The phrase loops through my mind like a broken record.
“I know who you are, Mr. MacBrady, and while I appreciate your generosity, I cannot accept.” I stiffen. For a moment, a heavy silence lingers.
Then Cyan smirks. “I know exactly who you are. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Officer Ethan.”
As if Ethan doesn’t exist, Cyan turns back to me. “See you around, Aria.” Just like that, he’s walking away, not acknowledging Ethan’s rejection of his paying the bill. My entire body sags as I watch him walk away. The sound of Ethan pushing his chair back has me looking towards him.
“I’ll be right back.” I nod dumbly. My hands tremble under the table.
A cop and a mobster. I officially hold the Guinness World Record for the worst taste in men.
Or maybe... I’m the problem; a curse, always magnet for danger.
My life is one poor decision away from a news headline.
I drag my hands along my upper arms. The ghost of his intense stare is still burning into my skin.
“Ready to go?” Ethan’s voice startles me.
“Huh? Yes.” I stand quickly, mind the shambles; I’m not thinking straight.
My legs are shaky as we leave, Ethan’s hand settles against the middle of my back.
A steadying touch that does nothing to stop the heaviness, boring into my back as we leave.
As we wait for the valet to bring Ethan’s car, my mind races.
I just want to go home. Finally, Ethan’s car shows up, and we get in.
If I’m lucky, Ethan will act as if the entire Cyan conversation didn’t happen.
It’s wishful thinking. We are about a block away when Ethan pulls to the curb.
“You really think it’s wise to associate with someone like him?
” I’m desperate to avoid this conversation.
I turn to face him. This isn’t the same charming, easygoing Ethan I laughed with earlier.
The detective in him is front and center.
His gaze is no longer warm; it’s sharp, he’s searching.
The streetlight casts harsh shadows over his face.
“Aria… how the hell do you know the Capo boss of Boston?”
“I... Ethan, it’s complicated,” I stammer and pull closer to the door, needing space.
“Complicated? You’ve got to be kidding me, Aria.
The man’s a mobster!” As if I don’t already know.
Frustration claws at my chest. I hate the way he’s talking to me, like I’m some na?ve fool who purposely stumbled into this mess.
“Aria. You understand that he’s fucking dangerous, don’t you?
” His voice is laced with distrust. Like I’m already guilty of something.
I exhale, choosing my words carefully. “I met him some months ago at a festival where I live.”
“Then why the hell was he looking at you like that?” Ethan shouts.
I flinch. “I don’t have an answer.” Or rather, I have one, but saying it out loud would make it real, and Ethan already sees too much.
“You need to stay the hell away from that guy. He’s a criminal.”
My irritation rises. “You failed to mention you’re a cop. Are you even a teacher, or was that a lie too?”
His brows knit together. “I didn’t lie, Aria. I omitted it.”
“Semantics.” I snap.
“Aria, I said… one of my jobs. If you had asked, I would’ve told you. But you know what happens when women find out I’m a cop? They judge me before getting to know me.”
My jaw tightens; that’s rich. He’s judging me right now. I cross my arms. “Take me home, Ethan.”
“Hold on. I have more questions.” He touches my shoulder.
“Nope.” I yank away and turn to open the car door and unbuckle my seat belt. “Never mind, I’ll call a taxi.” I pull out my phone and open the app. I’m done. One of my feet is already out of the car.
“Aria, wait.” Ethan, sounding less like a detective and more like the man I had dinner with. “Let me drive you home. It’s late, and I can’t shake the feeling that you’d be safer with me.”
Safer? A sharp, bitter laugh escapes. There’s no place safe. Not in Crescent Bay, not in Boston; not from Cyan.
“Ethan, it’s unnecessary... I’ll order a ride.”
“Please, Aria, Cathy is a good friend of mine. If you leave, and something happens... how do you think she’d feel?” Guilt sinks its claws into me. Damn him. I hesitate to turn back to look at him. “Come on. I won’t bring his name up again tonight. Let me take you home.” His eyes plead with me.
“Alright.” The drive is silent; neither of us speaks until Ethan pulls up to Cathy’s house.
He shifts in his seat. “I’m sorry for not telling you everything about my job,” I nod.
I just want this night to be over. Another lying schmuck, my taste in men should be studied.
“I really like you, Aria. Despite how the night ended, I had a great time with you. I’d love to see you again.
I can come to Crescent Bay.” I open my mouth to shut it down, with a hell no.
“Don’t answer now. Just think about it.”
I fiddle with the strap of my handbag. “Sure,” I snap, I’m choosing avoidance, in a rush I open the door, jumping out of the car.
Ethan follows me, walking me to my front door.
My keys is in the lock as I open the door and turn to say goodbye before going in.
Ethan surprises me with a quick kiss on my lips.
“See you soon?” Ethan turns and leaves as I step inside and lock the door. I have no intention of seeing Ethan again.
The house is silent. Cathy’s working the graveyard night shift.
I wish I could call Tasha, but she doesn’t know about Cyan.
No one does. My life is feeling like a bad soap opera.
Maybe I should get a theme song for all this drama.
I kick off my heels, and pulling the pins from my hair, let my hair out of the updo, shaking my curls free.
I strip off my dress as I head to my room, flipping the light switch my body comes to a hard stop.
Sitting in the side chair next to my bed is Cyan MacBrady.