Sebastian
Present
Aria sat on the sofa, cross-legged, with the laptop in her lap. She wanted to look through university courses for social work, and I’d suggested we do it together. I knew it meant a lot to her, so I wanted to support her in any way I could.
I placed our coffees on the table, sat next to her, and put my arm around her shoulders.
It had been a week since the incident at my dad’s.
I’d not heard a single word from him, which was good for me, because I didn’t want anything to do with that asshole.
I think Aria had realised that day that I never wanted to see him again, because she hadn’t mentioned him since.
Callum, on the other hand … I had a feeling I’d be hearing from him again if he was serious about working together. It was something I’d been pondering. I fucking hated him, but the businessman in me knew that if it was done right, it would be a good move for us.
“I’ve found a few courses,” Aria said.
“Where are they?” I asked, leaning in and looking at the screen.
“There’s one with London South Bank, and the other is at Greenwich.”
“Elephant and Castle would be closer for you, but Logan can take you to either one.”
She met my eyes. “I am capable of using public transport, you know.”
“Then I’ll get you a car.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t need you to buy me a car. I think you’ve got enough already.”
“I don’t know. I was thinking of getting another one,” I joked.
She elbowed me playfully and carried on reading. I loved seeing her like this, so involved in something she cared about. That was the girl I’d always known. She’d come a long way over these last few months, and I couldn’t admire her any more than I did for all she’d overcome.
“So, I can do part-time, but it would need to be at—”
My phone started ringing, cutting her off. I pulled it from my pocket, my brows knitting together. Unknown number.
“I need to take this.” I told Aria, then hurried out of the room.
“Hello?” I answered when I knew she couldn’t hear me.
“Sebastian. I said I’d be in touch.”
“What do you want?”
He let out a heavy breath. “I want to set up a meeting. Talk through everything.”
I scrubbed a hand over my stubble as my eyes drifted back to the living room door. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
“I can assure you, I’m not here to make any trouble. I wouldn’t do that with Aria around. She’s seen enough of it when she lived up here.” I pressed my lips together, contemplating. “Let me show you. Tomorrow night. I’ll send the details.”
“I’ll run it by everyone tonight and let you know.”
“You won’t regret it.”
Then, he hung up.
I brought up Hayden’s number and connected the call.
“Get Matt, Valon and Soran to meet us at the Organisation in an hour.”
“Hello to you too. What’s going on?”
“Meet me there now, and I’ll fill you in before everyone else arrives.”
“Will do.”
Placing the phone back in my pocket, I made my way back into the living room, and Aria looked up at me.
“Who was that?”
“Work. Some figures aren’t adding up, and they need me to come take a look before it goes off to the tax office,” I lied.
I’d never realised how good I was at lying. I almost believed it myself. Fuck.
“Oh.” She closed the laptop. “Do you want me to come with you?” She got up and made her way over.
I took hold of her hands and smiled. “No, it’ll be something silly they haven’t seen properly. Carry on researching. I won’t be long.”
“Ok, just don’t stay too late. You’ve been doing a lot recently. You need to look after yourself as well.”
“I know.” I kissed her softly.
“What do you want for dinner? I’ll make sure it’s ready for when you get back.”
“Don’t worry about me. Order something in if you don’t want to cook and put it on my card.”
She looked up at me. “I thought it wasn’t going to take long?”
I rubbed my hands up and down her arms. “It probably won’t.”
“Fine, but I’m gonna order the whole menu on your card if you’re back late.”
I let out a chuckle. “You order whatever you want.”
She gave me a quick kiss and then went back to sitting on the sofa with the laptop.
I looked up at Hayden walking into the Organisation as I poured a whisky. He sat down, leaning back in the chair, and I sat next to him, swirling the amber liquid before taking a sip.
“Everyone will be here soon.”
I gave him a nod, taking a cigarette out and lighting it. I took a drag, my eyes wandering over to him. He was staring at me.
“What?”
“You. What’s so important that everyone needs to be here? And FYI”—he sat forward—“Serfina said if it isn’t important, she’s going to kick your arse because you interrupted her telling me all about her wedding ideas.”
“I saved you, then.” I chuckled, taking another drag.
“Where does Aria think you are?”
“At work, sorting out some figures.”
“I give up with you.” He slouched back again. “What is it then?”
I sipped my whisky. Was this a good idea? Callum was someone I’d never seen myself working with, but it would benefit us all in the long run.
“Callum wants to work together. I didn’t want to decide without talking to everyone first.”
“Didn’t expect that.” He shifted in his seat.
“Me either,” I replied, downing the rest of the whisky.
The door clicked open as Matt, Soran, and Valon walked in together. I took one last drag of the cigarette and stubbed it out as we greeted each other, and then they joined us at the table.
“What’s so urgent? Berevan is making kifta, and I would not miss that for anything,” Soran said.
“I wouldn’t miss that either,” Hayden added.
Valon looked at his watch. “I’ve got a shipment coming in in the next hour.”
“It won’t take long, but I didn’t want to agree to anything without everyone’s opinion.”
“Let’s discuss, then,” Soran said, resting his ankle on his knee.
“Matt.” He looked over at me. “I know you said you were looking for a better supplier for your firearms.”
“Yeah, they’re overpriced for what I’m getting. I’m having to make so many modifications to them before I can distribute.”
“What if I could get them at a fraction of the price and guarantee they’d be decent quality?”
“I’d need to see them, but I’d be interested.”
“Who?” Valon questioned.
I paused for a moment, pouring another whisky. Then took a sip as I looked around at everyone.
“Callum Brown.”
Soran furrowed his brow. “Jason Brown’s brother?”
“Yep.” I downed the drink. “That one.”
Soran knew it was his body that had needed clearing up after rescuing Aria. He knew what had happened. Matt and Valon only knew that Nicholas had been working with him.
“I don’t like this,” Valon said, and I could see his jaw tensing.
I wasn’t expecting them to be over the moon about it.
I wasn’t sure I was either, but his supply was good quality.
It wasn’t only that. Selfishly, I thought that by having him closer, he might leave Aria alone.
That he could never tell her about all of this because he’d be in it with me.
She knew what he did, but if she found out that he’d been keeping this secret from her, she’d never forgive him.
Just like she’d never forgive me for mine.
“He wants to meet me tomorrow to discuss business.”
“I trust you, Sebastian. So, if you think it would benefit us, then I’m with you,” Soran said.
“I’d need to see his supply first,” Matt added.
“Look.” Hayden leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “You know business, and if it keeps the lines calm between us, then I’m in.”
My eyes flicked over to Valon.
He wasn’t one to put blind faith in anyone. He preferred to watch and observe them before he warmed up to them. He was like that when I’d first met him. Now, we were brothers.
“See what he says, and then I’ll make up my mind.”
I gave him a small nod.