Chapter 43
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.”
Oh… heat slams into my face. “I… yeah, I did scream, but not for the reasons you think.”
Tasha blinks and takes in my appearance. My swollen lips, my messy hair and the many love bites Cyan left on my neck.
Her eyes widen in disbelief. “You… you were screaming because of that?”
“Yeah. I wasn’t in danger.” I’m dying inside with mortification, her expression is comical, considering the unhinged stories of her sex life she’s told me over the years.
“Fine. I’ll behave,” she mutters. Collin releases her, though not before he plucks Trevor out of her hands.
She turns and looks straight into his eyes; hers blazing. “I’ll take him back when I leave.”
“Sure, honey.” Collin leans in and takes a deep breath. “I’d love to give you a bat.”
Tasha’s eyes flare with pure murder. “Look here, pretty boy… it’s Ms. Diamond to you. Keep your cheesy lines to yourself, or that bat will eventually crush your cheesy balls.”
She turns away, shutting him down completely. Grabs my hand and starts tugging me across the room as if she owns the place. I sigh. This is going to be one hell of a conversation. “Aria, where are we going?” Tasha asks.
I point to the closed door on the right. We step into the library, and the moment the door clicks shut, she drops my hand and whirls to face me. “Explain how you went from not even dating to being fucking engaged to the Capo Bastone of Boston.”
My heart sinks. How do I tell her I met Cyan months ago? “Sorry I made you worry, didn’t know how to tell you. Afraid that you’ll… want nothing to do with me.” I say under my breath.
Tasha sighs, her tone softening. “Ari, I’ll never abandon you.
You’re my best friend. I was so worried.
You know me… I don’t freak out easily. But your actions?
That’s not you.” Her words scrape against a bruise I’ve been pretending doesn’t hurt.
My aunt cutting me off left a crack in me I haven’t admitted to anyone…
and the thought of Tasha doing the same makes my stomach shrivel. Losing the people I love terrifies me.
I inhale, pushing down the torment clawing at my ribs. “Thank you, Tash… after how my aunt reacted, I feared you’d do the same.”
Tasha’s expression shifts, frustration melting into protectiveness. She steps closer, placing a hand on my arm.
“That’s the thing, Ari. I might get angry, but I’ll never leave you behind. Just don’t shut me out again. I hate not knowing what’s going on with you.”
“I won’t, I swear. Just… let me gather my thoughts.” This is why I didn’t take her calls; I couldn’t figure out what to say. Even now, I can’t tell her everything. It’s best to stick as close to the truth as possible.
Tasha Diamond always sniffs out a lie, and that’s what makes her one of the best divorce attorneys in Boston. Sometimes I think she’s part bloodhound. ‘Tasha, I met Cyan the night I went out with Hayden.”
“So, you’ve been secretly seeing him since then?” Her voice cracks with hurt.
“No! I only met him, found out who he was, and he scared me. I wanted nothing to do with Cyan.”
Tasha crosses her arms. “That’s why you acted weird when you came home! I knew something was off. But why didn’t you tell me? You know I would’ve gone to battle for you. No one messes with my sister while I’m around.”
Gratitude stings my eyes. “I know, Tash. Besides, it was just one encounter.”
Tasha lifts an eyebrow. “Okay, but now you’re engaged. Explain.”
“Remember when I texted about going out with a guy named Ethan?”
“Yeah, the teacher-trainer your Aunt Cathy set you up with.”
“I saw Cyan at the restaurant. He came to our table to say hi, and that’s when Ethan dropped his truth bomb, He’s a cop, not a teacher. On our way home, he acted like a judgmental ass because of me knowing Cyan. I didn’t like his attitude, so I decided not to see him again.”
“Prick,” she snaps. “Ari. Back to your explanation. How the hell are you and Cyan now a thing?”
“What I’m about to tell you, Cyan doesn’t know. The week I was working at the Boston office, Ethan approached me at the office, and he brought friends from the FBI. They want me to be an informant.”
Tasha’s expression darkens. “He tried to use you. To spy on a mobster? Motherfucker,” she snaps, then gestures to my ring. “Please don’t tell me you’re here because of that idiot, Ari. If Cyan finds out...”
“No! I told Ethan and his FBI friends hell no. I wanted no part of it.”
“Good. Girl, you are never dealing with shit alone again.” She points at me. “If they ever come near you, you call me. Don’t speak to him without a lawyer present. Got it?”
I nod. “So… continue.”
“After the meet-up with Ethan, I was heading home when some guy dragged me into an alley and tried… to…” My voice cracks. “To rape me.”
Tasha’s whole body goes still before she yanks me into a crushing hug. “Oh, my Ari… are you okay? I can’t believe you didn’t call me.” She pulls back, eyes sharp. “Are you sure Cyan didn’t set that up?”
“No, he didn’t.” I shake my head. “Cyan saved me. Ethan was right; Cyan was interested, so he’d been following me home.”
“I hope he killed the fucker.” I look away. “He did, didn’t he?”
“I neither confirm nor deny.”
“If he did, I approve.”
“Tasha, you are so bloodthirsty.”
“I have no mercy for men who get off on hurting women.” Her tone is pure steel. “What happened next?”
“He asked me to lunch. And… it escalated.”
Tasha squints. “Then why is my bullshit detector tingling?” Because I’ve twisted the truth.
“Look, Tasha… you know who Cyan is. So yes, there are things I can’t tell you. But I can honestly say he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Tasha exhales slowly. “Ari, if you like Cyan date him. Why get married so fast? Do you love him?”
The question hits me hard. Do I? The thought of him makes me smile. The feeling of safety when I’m in his arms. When did that happen? Despite everything, I know he’d never hurt me. “Yes,” I whisper. “I do, Tasha. I love him.”
Tasha gasps, staring at my face. “Oh my, you do!”
“Please, Tash… don’t do what my aunt did. Don’t shut me off.” That’s the real reason I avoided her calls. I can’t lose her too.
Her face softens. “Ari, relax. I meant what I said. You’re more than my best friend… you’re my sister. I’ll always have your back. Don’t stress; your aunt loves you. She’ll come around.”
Relief crashes through me as I hug her. When we pull apart, mischief lights her eyes.
“Now, I demand you tell me. What position did Cyan have you in to make you scream like that?”
Just like that, I have my best friend back.