Sebastian
It had been a week since the car accident.
The bruising to my ribs had started to ease, and in the first few days after being released from the hospital, I was stuck at home. Aria was her amazing, caring self, even though I had been a prick to her before the accident.
I didn’t want her fussing over me at home, so I made sure Logan still came to collect her for work.
She wasn’t happy about it, but I told her she needed to be there with everything going on with Dad and Caspian.
Then, after those initial few days, I got Logan to bring me to the Organisation to keep it running.
I’d spend my days there whilst Aria was at work. Then I’d make sure I was at home for when she got back, act normal, and slip out again when she was asleep. There was one thing about Aria that was always guaranteed: when she was sleeping, nothing would wake her.
I had Kai watch the house at night just in case, and Logan stayed with me. As far as she was concerned, I was resting at home.
Nothing about the accident added up.
Connor had been in contact with the police to check what information they had. The vehicle was stolen and was now nowhere to be found. He made sure they left it alone for us to deal with, and I was going to do so, even if it meant killing every last person involved.
I’d make them bleed for what they did to Hayden.
Callum had been surprisingly helpful with everything, and with Hayden out for now, we’d agreed to temporarily give him more responsibilities. He knew what he was doing, and he wouldn’t risk doing anything stupid with Aria about.
“I’m impressed with the setup you have here,” Callum said as he sat down at the table with me.
I took a sip of my whisky. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Should you be drinking that?” He nodded towards the glass.
“Concerned about my health now?” I took another sip to piss him off.
“No, but I’m sure Aria wouldn’t be happy if something were to happen to you.”
Logan walked through the door and sat down at the table with us.
“It feels like we live here these days,” he joked.
We might as well at the moment. With Hayden in the hospital and trying to smooth things over with Luca, not to mention trying to figure out who was behind the accident, the Organisation was a full-time job on its own.
“You know you should be at home recovering,” he continued.
“I did try to tell him he shouldn’t be drinking,” Callum added.
“Yeah, good luck with that,” Logan replied.
“I’ve never been one to sit still. Is Aria at home?”
“Yes, she asked where you were, so I told her you were visiting Hayden tonight and would be back later.”
Good. Even Logan seemed to know the drill now, to make something up about my whereabouts. It was hard enough trying to sneak out so she wouldn’t notice. It felt like when we were younger, but instead of me climbing through her window, I was using the garden patio, so she didn’t hear anything.
“How’s it going with Luca?” Logan asked.
“He’s not happy, but as soon as I threw money at him, he went quiet. I’ve assured him this time there won’t be any issues.”
“You can’t guarantee that, though.”
“I can and I will, because when I get hold of Dante and the people involved, there will be no more issues.”
“Why don’t I help Logan?” Callum suggested.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What’s in it for you?”
“It’s not a bad idea. I could do with an extra set of eyes on it,” Logan offered.
Callum had proven himself recently. Especially with the way the firearms deal had gone with Matt. He could have let them kill me, but instead he’d had my back. That’s one of the reasons I let him know about this place.
I hesitated for a moment. “Fine.”
“I’ll fill you in with what I’ve got,” Logan said.
Callum nodded and followed Logan out of the room.
I sat there for a moment, replaying the accident in my head. Seeing Hayden the way he was.
I’d thought he was dead, and it felt like a part of me had died with him. I’d never felt pain the way I did at that moment. We’d been friends for eleven years, and I considered him a brother.
I’d give my life in a heartbeat for his.
The door opened, and Matt strolled in. I hadn’t seen him since the issues at our warehouse, when I’d had to leave Aria at Newroz.
“Sebastian, what are you doing here?” Matt said, shaking my hand.
“Had some things to sort, and with Hayden …” I trailed off as sickness swirled in my stomach.
“He’ll pull through, you know he will,” Matt said, squeezing my shoulder. “Besides, you know Serfina wouldn’t let him go without a fight.”
Serfina would start a war herself if anything happened to him, that I knew for sure.
“Is everything secure in the new warehouse?”
Matt leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Yeah. Valon and I moved it all with the help of Callum, and we’ve got extra men watching the place. They shouldn’t be able to find it or get in.”
I hesitated. “How’s it been, working with Callum?”
“Honestly, he’s been a godsend with his firearms connection. Having him around has made life easier. He’s helped out on deals and even set a few more up to come our way.”
Who knew Callum Brown would be so useful?
This place needed to carry on running as smoothly as it could right now, and I needed to make sure everyone was doing what they were meant to do to keep it that way. With the threat of Dante, I didn’t want anything else to happen. I needed to make sure everyone was safe.
I needed Hayden back with me.
My phone started ringing, and I pulled it out of my pocket to see Serfina’s name. Knots formed in my stomach as I swallowed hard, looking at the screen for a beat.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hayden’s awake.”