Chapter 15
Sean
Watching Jonathan knock Aro out wasn’t just unexpected, it was unsettling. Finding out they knew each other? Even worse.
When I called him from the motel yesterday, I was desperate. Now I’m starting to wonder if I just handed her over to the devil himself.
I ditch the car a few blocks away, just like he told me, and hoof it back to the high-rise. The doorman lets me in without a word. The whole elevator ride up, I’m already sketching out Plan B, just in case I have to kill Jonathan. Can’t be too careful. Not with her on the line.
When the doors slide open, I step into a place that doesn’t belong to people like me. Floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines, blood money elegance. I’ve worked for some rich assholes before, but this? This screams power. And danger.
I knew Jonathan was dangerous. I just didn’t know he was this dangerous.
I move quietly through the penthouse. A dining table for ten overlooks the Nashville skyline. There’s a kitchen and living area to the right and an office and hallway to the left. All of it is quiet. Too quiet.
In the back corner of the living room, I notice a door tucked away. Glancing inside, I find her. Aro’s sprawled across a massive four-poster bed, unconscious but breathing. Relief floods my chest. Until I see the handcuff.
I take a step forward, jaw clenched. That’s when Jonathan strolls out of the en suite like he’s not holding a woman hostage in his bed.
“Ah,” he says, smiling like this is some kind of reunion. “You’ve joined us.”
“Yeah, man. What the fuck?” I nod toward the cuff. “Is that necessary?”
“Just a precaution,” he says smoothly. “I doubt she’ll be thrilled when she wakes up, and I don’t need her bolting before we talk.”
“She’s restrained,” I say, slower this time. “What the hell did you do to her?”
“That’s a long story.”
His eyes drift to her, and he gives her a loaded look filled with anger, possession, and… grief? It makes my skin crawl. I instinctively shift, blocking her from his view. He notices, and he doesn’t like it.
“Let’s get something straight,” he says, voice low and sharp. “You’re here as a courtesy. That invitation can be revoked at any time. Lina was—is—mine. She’s never in danger with me.”
His words piss me off, but something clicks.
“Lina?” I echo, blinking hard.
He tilts his head, and then starts laughing. Actually laughing.
“Oh, this is rich. You don’t even know who she really is, do you?”
“Lina’s her sister,” I say slowly, motioning behind me. “That’s Aro.”
He gives me a look so patronizing it makes my fists curl.
“Is that what she’s calling herself now? Aro? Clever,” he says. “Hate to break it to you, but your Aro is Lina. Carolina. No sister. No alias. Just Witness Protection and a new identity. She’s been in WITSEC for eight years, and I’ve been watching over her the entire time.”
My stomach drops. My instincts never questioned her story. But… it’s possible. Shit. Anything’s possible.
“Why do you think I asked you to take the Marcus job?” he goes on. “I needed someone I could trust to keep her safe. So, thank you, Sean. You did your job. Exceptionally.”
I take a slow breath, fighting the urge to deck him.
“If you think I’m walking away now, you’re even dumber than you look. I don’t care what her name is. She’s mine to protect. I don’t trust you.”
He raises a brow, amused. “This is adorable. You’ve got a little crush on her, don’t you?”
I don’t answer. I don’t have to.
I swear he mutters, get in line, but he’s already smirking.
“Let me tell you something about Lina. She collects hearts like wildflowers and leaves them trampled in her wake.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
“Oh, I am.” He says it like a confession. “She ripped out my heart, and she’s still holding it, as far as I’m concerned. And I’ll let her keep it, even if she tears it in half again and again.”
He means it. That much is clear. He’s not just obsessed. He’s entrenched.
“So, what happens when she wakes up and doesn’t want you?” I ask. “What if she says no?”
He holds my gaze for a long beat. Then he smiles and walks out. No answer. Just that smile. Possessive. Dangerous. Unhinged.
“We may be in trouble,” I mutter under my breath.
He calls from the living room. “You coming? I had lunch sent up. She’s not going anywhere.”
He laughs at his own joke. Who thinks about food at a time like this?
Jonathan, apparently.
∞∞∞
We hear Aro stirring before she fully wakes.
“Let’s go see our girl,” Jonathan says with that twisted enthusiasm, already heading for the bedroom.
This should be fun...
I push off the couch and follow him but stop in the doorway. He’s already at her side, perched on the edge of the bed, running his fingers through her hair like she’s some fragile thing he treasures. It’s jarring, seeing him almost… tender. Not a word I ever thought I’d associate with him.
Her eyes flutter open, glassy and confused. When she sees him, a sleepy smile tugs at her lips. “Johnny?”
“I’m here, Honey.”
The name hits like a left hook. Honey. That isn’t just recognition. That’s history.
He cups her cheek, and for a split second, they look... soft. Then the moment shatters. Her memory returns, and her hand snaps up, slapping his away. She shoves him hard, sending him stumbling off the bed.
“Ow!” he grumbles, rubbing his side.
“Seriously, Johnny? Drug me and chain me up? This your idea of foreplay now?” she shouts, throwing up her hands, but her wrist is jerked to a stop.
“What is wrong with you?!” she hisses, fury radiating off her.
Johnny dusts himself off with practiced indifference. She tries to lunge at him again, but the handcuff jerks her back. Still, she doesn't cower. She squares her shoulders, breathing hard, and her expression shifts, from rage to something colder.
I should grab some popcorn, because shit’s about to go down.
“Johnny,” she says sweetly. Too sweetly. “Why am I chained to the bed?”
“Because I need to talk to you, Honey,” he says easily. “And I don’t trust you not to run.”
“So, talk,” she growls, arms crossing tight over her chest.
“Fine. Here’s the deal,” he starts, stepping just out of her reach. “I need a favor. In return, I protect you from your walking dumpster fire of an ex.”
Her brows shoot up. “Who says he’s my ex?”
“I do!”
“That’s not your call, Johnny!”
Christ. They’re like two lit matches arguing over who struck first.
“Aro,” I cut in, hoping to deescalate.
Her gaze flicks to me, and turns sharp.
“And you,” she starts. “You brought me to him? Do you even know what you’ve done?”
“I saved your life, Lina.” Two can play the blame game.
She flinches.
“Well, this just got interesting,” Johnny says, clearly amused. “Let’s move this along. Lina, you’re free to go anywhere inside the penthouse, but you’re not allowed to leave. Not yet. The elevator’s locked to my biometrics. Try it and you’re wasting your time. We’ll talk more later.”
He tosses something to me on his way out. A small silver key. I catch it without thinking. Then, he’s gone. I close the bedroom door behind him and turn to face her. The key’s still warm in my palm.
Her voice barely rises above a whisper. “You know?”
I cross my arms. “Yeah. He told me.”
Her jaw tightens. “You think I lied to you.”
“I know you lied to me,” I say, voice low. “For a year. You told me your sister was the one in hiding. That you were just the lookout.”
“I had to lie,” she snaps. “You think I wanted to? I was in Witness Protection. I still am, technically, but after the last time my identity got out, I stopped trusting anyone. Not even the system. You weren’t supposed to know. No one was.”
I let out a breath and drag a hand down my face. “I get it. I really do. It’s just… hard. We’ve been through hell together. And now, I feel like I don’t even know who you are.”
Her voice softens. “You do know me. You’ve seen me at my worst. You’ve protected me. Fought for me. None of that was a lie.”
I want to believe her. I do. But my chest is tight, and everything feels cracked open.
“I know you’re right. I guess I just need a minute to wrap my head around it,” I say. “And... what do I even call you now? Aro? Lina?”
She gives me a sad smile. “I’ll always be Aro to you.”
A pause hangs between us.
“Now,” she says, more forcefully, “tell me why the hell you brought me to Johnny.”
“I didn’t know you two had history,” I admit. “I did him a favor a while back and he owed me. I know he’s connected to the Underground. Has resources we don’t. When I asked for help, he agreed.”
She stares at me like I just said the sky turned purple. “He’s in the Underground?”
“You didn’t know?” I shake my head. “He’s not just in it. He’s a main player now. They call him Crow. Guy’s a mercenary.”
She sucks in a sharp breath. “I had no idea. I haven’t seen him since I was eighteen.”
She ponders for a moment. “What was the favor?”
“What?”
“What favor did you do for him?”
With a sigh, I walk over to the bed. I sit beside her and uncuff her wrist. Taking it gently, I rub at the red line the cuff left behind.
“Johnny asked me to interview and to make sure I got the job for Marcus.”
“What?” she looks shocked.
“At the time, I thought he just wanted someone on the inside. To keep an eye on Marcus, if needed. He never asked me to report or anything, but now, I’m realizing he’s been five steps ahead this whole time.”
“He knew where I was,” she says quietly.
“I think so, yes. I think he did what he could to protect you.”
She laughs, cold and humorless. “More like he was keeping tabs on me.”
“What the hell happened between you two?”
She’s quiet for a long time. Too long.
Finally, she says, “He blames me for his mother’s death.”
I blink. That’s... not the answer I expected.
“And are you responsible?” I ask quietly.
She looks me dead in the eyes.
“Yes.”
The air goes still. I want to ask more. I want to understand, but the look in her eyes says it all. She's not just owning it, she’s haunted by it.