Page 114 of Broken Pieces
“There won’t be an indictment.”
My inner alarms start ringing. Is Alex going off the rails and pinning everything on Aria? I haven't caught anything on the news—well, I haven't exactly been easy to reach. I've cut myself off from the world, so it's a potential scenario. I’m officiallyentering freak-out territory, so if he doesn’t clarify in the next two seconds, I’m going to fucking lose it.
“I can't believe you kept the threats from me. It's not just about the legal side of things; you should've told me as a friend, Romano,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief. “I'm both your lawyer and your friend—what’s the matter with you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie. I’ve gotten so good at lying lately, it barely feels like one anymore.
The door swings open, and as I glance back, the last person I thought I would see comes in. I frown, as millions of questions rush through my mind.
“You do know what he’s talking about. Stop acting stupid,” Aria retorts.
I stand up, looking at both of them. Matteo and Enzo walk into the office as if it's a regular day, leaving me utterly confused.
“What's happening here?” I ask, utterly confused.
“Oh,cugino, if you think I’m going to miss Red ripping you a new one, you’re insane.” He snickers.
Matteo nods. “Same here. Let’s go, Red. My money’s on you.”
Aria shifts her gaze in their direction. “If you don't scram in the next second, I'm gonna stab both of you with my knife,” she warns with a knowing look.
They both crumble like scared kids away from the office. I've never seen those two so terrified for their lives. It’s actually quite refreshing.
She looks over my shoulder. “You too, Hawkins. Take a hike.”
“But this is my office,” he deadpans.
She folds her arms expectantly, the movement pushing her cleavage together, and I’m doing everything I can to avoid looking.
Liam sighs as he stands up. “I guess I’m taking a hike.” He walks out of the office and shuts the door.
“What—”
“Sit down,” she orders.
Alright then. She’s showing a side I haven't seen before. Not that I mind; if anything, I find her even more attractive—if that’s even a possibility. To see her so sure of herself, not afraid to speak up. Her confidence makes my heart swell with pride.
“I’ve been wondering about the cosmic debt you must have accumulated to be stuck with Alex as your brother in this lifetime,” she comments while casually leaning against the desk.
“You know?” I whisper.
She nods. “I know everything.”
My eyes snap to hers. “How?”
“Wouldn’t you love to know?” she retorts.
“Aria, I swear to God—”
She throws her hand up to halt me, saying, “I'm still talking.”
I thin my lips, opting to not say anything.
“You should've given us a heads up, Damian. We would've done whatever it took to support you,” she continues.
I interject, “You don’t understand—”
She interrupts, “Yes, I do—”
