Chapter 3
Aria
The comforting warmth of my blankets as I slowly wake gives way to a chilling realization. I'm alone.
I stretch, sit up, and look around the room. A lot has happened in only a few months. The room I once shared with my asshole of an ex now has traces of Jackson and Beau strewn throughout it.
I reach up and grab my robe from the back of our door, covering my bare flesh from the chill in the house.
Stepping into the living room, I hear the soft sound of sizzling and smell the mouthwatering aroma of coffee from the kitchen.
Okay, now we're talking. I could get used to this. Bacon, coffee…breakfast? They might’ve left me alone in bed, but it looks like I’m getting a damn good reward from it.
I make my way to the kitchen, trying to ignore how messy my hair probably looks as I run a hand through it.
I round the corner and finally see Beau standing at the stove, flipping something in the pan with a focused look on his face.
Jackson’s standing at the counter, carefully pouring three cups of coffee.
They look like gods molded with sin in mind…
sculpted, shiftless, and completely mine.
"Morning, sweetheart.” Jackson says, glancing up and giving me that charming smirk that always makes my heart skip a beat.
Honestly, I believe it's those fucking dimples.
“I know, I know,” he adds, holding up one cup.
“You like your coffee with all the sugar and cream we have in the house.
Don't worry, I made sure you won't taste any of the coffee.”
I bring my hand to my chest. “Ouch, are you trying to make me sound like some kind of sugar addict? It’s called flavor, Jackson.”
He chuckles, tossing me a wink that could probably melt steel. “Flavor, huh? Sure, if by flavor you mean an entire cup of sugar and cream with a dash of coffee. But whatever makes you happy.”
I reach over and wrap my arms around him from behind. “Hey, I just like my way, but I won't be mad at you for drinking your coffee black.” I tease softly, nuzzling him a little.
Beau, who’s quietly putting together breakfast, clears his throat with a grin. “Alright, lovebirds. The food’s ready.”
I watch him walk over to the table with three perfectly placed meals. He sets them down as if he were a trained server or something. He comes closer, presses his forehead gently to mine, and kisses me like he means it. The warmth of both of them around me makes my heart flutter.
“We figured since we kind of ruined our first Valentine's dinner last night, we’d make it up to you with breakfast.”
Jackson hands me and Beau our cups of coffee, and we make our way to the table. I take a moment to admire the layout Beau’s made — eggs, bacon, toast, and what looks like some perfectly crisped hash browns.
Beau takes his seat on one side of me and Jackson on the other. I look between them, a smile spreading across my face. “You two sure know how to make a girl’s heart race.”
Jackson leans in, his voice soft but playful. “We just know how to take care of our lady.”
I take a bite of bacon, savoring the flavors. Honestly, I don't think I’ve ever been this spoiled in my life. It feels like every moment with these two only gets better.
“Well, are you happy? Have we done our jobs?” Beau speaks up.
Before I can answer, Jackson pipes in, “Of course she's happy. Between the orgasms and breakfast, we're pretty great dudes.”
I roll my eyes and laugh, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through me. “You guys are impossible,” I say, taking another bite of eggs. “But you’re my impossible.”
Beau chuckles softly, digging into his own plate. “Damn right, babe. Don't ever forget it.”
I take another sip of my coffee, and Beau’s phone buzzes loudly on the table. He wipes his hands on a napkin and picks up his phone to read the message.
Almost instantly I notice the shift in his demeanor. His eyes flick over the screen slowly before widening. He stands up quickly, making his chair scrape against the floor.
“Jackson, we need to talk. Now,” Beau says, his voice low and tight. "In the bedroom.”
"What’s going on?” I ask, my gut tightening.
“Baby, you stay in the kitchen and enjoy your breakfast.” Beau pleads. His tone sounds almost reassuring, but it doesn't work. I can see the tension in his shoulders. “We can handle it. This is supposed to be your morning to relax.”
I don’t like the way he said that. I don’t like the way Jackson is staring at him as if they’re communicating with just looks.
“No,” I protest, my voice sharper than expected. “No more secrets between us, Beau. I don’t care what this is about. I’m done with the mysteries. Tell me what the hell the message was about right now.”
Beau and Jackson exchange a look. Their faces are loaded with a secret meaning.
I feel that even after last night they still don't fully trust me, and that feels like a punch to the stomach.
They're still making choices as if I'm not part of this, like last night didn't mean anything.
Beau looks conflicted, like he wants to tell me, but is holding back because of how I might react.
Finally, he sighs and sits back down at the table, slumping in frustration. He slides the phone to Jackson without a word. Jackson takes the phone, his eyes scanning the screen.
The entire room feels like it’s holding its breath. Then, Jackson’s face shifts. His jaw hardens as his eyes narrow with a deep, unfamiliar tension that I've never seen before.
Jackson hands the phone to me. On the screen, the message is blunt and unmistakable.
I know who you are. I know where you've run. I want money. Or you'll wish you never took your whore into that bar.
It's like the words I just read punch me in the ribs. I can't breathe past them.
“Who the fuck is that?” I ask, my voice shaking. “What the hell is this?”
Neither of them speaks right away, Jackson’s eyes still locked on the phone in my hand. Beau’s face tightens in anger, his fingers twitching as if he wants to do something.
Finally, Jackson meets my eyes, his voice tight. “We thought we were safe here. I guess we were wrong.”
Beau’s hands fist on the table, his expression darkening. “This is why we didn’t want to drag you into this, Aria. It’s not just about us anymore. This is bigger than us, and we can’t afford for you to be in danger because of what we did.”
I stand up, my chair scraping loudly. “You don’t get to make that decision for me! I know the truth now, and I will fucking kill for you two. You don’t have to run from me because you think I need protecting!” I snap, feeling that familiar mix of anger and determination bubbling up inside me.
Jackson looks at me, his gaze softening, but only slightly.
“I know you would. To be completely honest with you, that’s what scares me.
” He says quietly, “This is something we don’t want you involved in.
We thought we could protect you from all this.
But now…” He glances at Beau, then back at me, “Now it might be too late.”
Beau’s expression tightens as he leans back in his chair, his voice quiet but filled with that familiar weight of burden.
“We’ve been on the run for a reason, Aria.
This isn’t just bad luck or a coincidence.
Now we’ve got someone who knows who we are and where we are.
They want money to keep our secret, and I’m almost positive it’s an amount we don’t have.
But that’s not even the worst part.” He pauses, his gaze flicking between Jackson and me.
“You shouldn't have to carry our chaos. But now it's yours too. We can’t risk you getting hurt. The only people who would have recognized us, aside from law enforcement, are people from Florida… and they’re dangerous.”
I sit there, stunned for a moment. My mind is struggling to process the intensity of the situation. They’re in trouble. Real trouble. And now I’m part of it.
I shake my head, looking between them. My voice is firm, and way stronger than I feel inside.
“No. No more running. You promised you wouldn’t leave me again.
I’m not going to sit here while you go off and do whatever it takes to keep me safe at the cost of possibly your own life.
” I can feel my heart racing in my chest. This helplessness is driving me crazy.
Jackson’s eyes soften, but he doesn’t speak up. Beau, however, stands up, his fist balled up tight. “Aria, this isn’t something you can just—”
“I can take care of myself!” I cut him off quickly, my voice sharp. “A few years ago, I took several Krav Maga classes. I know how to fight hand to hand. I'm not fragile, and I'm sure as hell not useless.”
Beau blinks, surprise flickering across his face. “You what?”
I cross my arms, standing my ground. “I’ve got skills.
Not that I’m some kind of martial arts expert, but I know how to throw a punch and defend myself if I need to.
” I take a deep breath, feeling a little more calm.
“And if you guys are so worried about me being vulnerable, why not take me to get weapons? You both seem to have money from somewhere. I might not know how to use a gun… I’m scared of them, honestly…
but I’m sure there are ways around that. I can learn. You both can help me.”
Beau's expression softens, but there’s still a hint of worry in his eyes. He walks to me, placing his hand on my shoulders. “Aria…you’re not some random person to us at this point. You’re ours now. And we can’t—" he breaks off, taking a deep breath. “We can’t lose you.”
“I know you want to protect me,” my voice is quieter now, but still firm. “But I’m not some fragile thing you can hide away in a corner. Someone you can easily dispose of. Like you said…I belong to both of you now. I’m in this with you all the way. I thought I proved that point last night.”
Beau looks at Jackson, a silent conversation passing between them.
Finally, he exhales deeply. “Alright, we hear you. We do have a good amount of money put back, and we still get money wired to us from the club each month. We’ll do whatever you need to feel safe.
If that means me going with you to get weapons, then I will do that for you. ”
Jackson rubs the back of his neck, looking thoughtful.
“I think we need to make a call to Nolan and Liam,” he says, his voice low but steady.
“They’ve been through this whole process with us from day one, and I'm sure they would like to know the situation we have found ourselves in. They still have club connections. Plus, they will understand how to keep not just us but Aria safe as well.” He glances at Beau, then back at me.
I nod, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety.
Beau pulls me into his arms, his voice low and reassuring.
“We’re not leaving you, Aria. Ever again.
Just listen, okay? If Jackson or I tell you to do something, you need to listen to us.
Do not think you have this whole thing figured out because I promise you that you don’t. ”
I breathe in his scent, the familiar comfort of him grounding me as my heart races. “I trust you both. You will not regret trusting me with this. I promise.”
Jackson watches us for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Alright, you two need to gear up. I will hang back today and make some phone calls.”
I pull away from Beau and walk over to Jackson, wrapping my arms around him. “I love you both and I'm ready for whatever we have to do to keep from getting into more trouble than you two are already in."