Page 59 of Keep My Secrets
“Aria, you are doing the same job as some of our junior architects, if not more. You are outpacing all of the other interns and are still showing consistent growth from project to project. We would be stupid to let you go work for our competitors.” Hearing the praise from my boss warms my heart. I do work hard at this job because I love it. To see that those around me see and appreciate the hard work is very gratifying.
“Plus, Theo would probably feed me to the fishes if I didn't."
“He is not part of the mafia!” I look up to see Theo watching me from the kitchen, an adoring smile on his face. He likes that I get along with his friends and coworkers.
“Aria, think about it.”
“Ok, he's kinda like the mafia, but so are you!” He acts like he is an innocent bystander in all of this.
“That’s beside the point.”
We finally hang up the call, and I get started on my work. Theo joins me on the couch. We just co-exist for a little while, and everything just feels right.
Chapter
Thirty
Theo
I have been pacing the living room for the last hour. Aria knows something is up, but I still haven't given her any information. She finished her work by lunch, so we have just been relaxing in the house since.
I don’t fully know how to explain what is happening, or even how she will react to knowing.
She needed to leave the meeting early, and she needed me to take control in the car. This entire situation has been incredibly hard on her.
Garret sent me messages last night letting me know the plan has been put in place. Parker and Grayson have started the process of essentially kidnapping Alana.
They were worried she would cause a scene, but I could have told them that the second they give her any positive attention, she will do whatever she needs to keep it. She ended up being the one to suggest going back to their hotel.
The last update I got was that Sara and Garett were with her. With them being the ones in control, they could be done in five minutes or five hours. Now I just wait until I get confirmationthat the job is done. That is when I will have to break the news to Aria that her mother is dead.
Aria has said multiple times that Alana is not her mom, that she has no feelings toward everything that is happening, but I also know this is something that, even if she has no feelings toward Alana, having any part in ending a life can stick with people. Those of us in The Court had a large support network of people going through similar things when we were all made to take our first life. Aria doesn’t really have any of that; she has me. I am going to be here and support her however she needs to grieve.
My phone rings.
“Reeves.”
“Hey, just got word that they are done, and it's over,” Eddie informs me. Part of me is relieved; this is all over. Aria is no longer able to be hurt by Alana. There will be no more attacks on our relationship.
“Thank you. “
“Anytime, man,” Eddie responds. I note the lack of a certain pet name.
“No, Daddy today? Finally over it?”
“Oh, absolutely not, I will return to only calling you Daddy after you take care of your girl. No need to get you riled up before you go talk to her.”
“That’s actually really nice of you.”
“Doing it for her, not you.” I smile before the call ends.
Now to tell Aria. I can rip it off like a Band-Aid and tell her, or I can gently ease into it. Either way, the issue isn't necessarily how to tell her; it's how she is going to react. I just need to make sure I let her lead. Whatever support she needs, I will provide. Whether it's comfort food and snuggles or needing me to take over and distract her, I will do whatever she needs.
I make my way to the couch. Picking up her feet, I slide under them so her legs are across my lap. She pauses her show and looks at me. She knows something is up.
“I just got word from Eddie,” I start. She is entirely focused on me. “Garret and Sara are done. Your mom is dead.” I brace for the crying, the anger, the regret. I am ready.
She takes a deep breath and relaxes.
