Page 73 of Six of Hearts
"So it's really over?" Ethan asked. "They can't come after Ronan or Aria anymore?"
"It's over," Liam said firmly. "Nathan and Cross are both in federal custody awaiting trial. The FBI has all the evidence they need. And more importantly, they've been made aware that any further harassment or threats will result in additional charges."
I felt something loosen in my chest—a tension I'd been carrying for days. "You did well, Liam. Really well."
"We all did," Liam said, looking around at each of us. "Gabriel handled the evidence properly. I used my legal connections. Ronan was honest about everything. We worked together, and we did it the right way."
Ronan stood up and extended his hand to Liam. "Thank you. For everything. For believing me, for fighting for us."
Liam shook his hand firmly. "That's what family does."
"So what now?" Julian asked. "We still don't know where Aria is."
"Now we find her," I said. "And we tell her that the threat is gone, that we have proof Ronan didn't kill Eva, and that we want her to come home."
"She means too much to all of us," Liam said. "I'm not about to let her go without a fight."
The sentiment was shared by everyone in the room. Liam had taken care of one half of the problem. Now it was time to buckle down and find our girl and get her back home.
"Gabriel," I said, "can you use your resources to help locate her? Legally, of course."
"I can put out some feelers," Gabriel said. "Check with her known associates, see if anyone's heard from her. I'll be discreet."
"I'll reach out to some of my contacts too," Liam added. "See if anyone's seen her or knows where she might have gone."
"What about her friend?" Ethan suggested. "Khloe, right? She might know something."
"Good thinking," I said. "I'll try reaching out to her."
For the first time in a week, I felt like we had a plan. We had eliminated the threat, we had the truth on our side, and now we just needed to find Aria and bring her home.
"One more thing," Ronan said quietly. Everyone turned to look at him. "When we find her... I need to be the one to explain everything. She deserves to hear it from me."
"Agreed," I said. "But we'll all be there to support you. And to support her."
"That's what we do," Gabriel said. "We take care of our own."
And Aria was ours. We just needed to remind her of that.
Aria
Ten Days Later
I stare at my laptop screen until my eyes burn, the cursor blinking mockingly in the search bar. I've typed "Ronan Vale" so many times in the past hour that the words don't even look real anymore.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
No social media profiles. No news articles. No professional listings. It's like he doesn't exist outside of the life I knew him in. Even his construction company barely has an online footprint—just a basic website with a contact form and a few project photos.
I try "Adam Ronan" next, remembering what he'd said in that desperate confession at my door. Still nothing.
My chest tightens. What kind of person has zero digital presence in 2024? Either he's incredibly private, or…
Or he really is in witness protection like he claimed.
I slam the laptop shut and press my palms against my eyes until I see stars. I don't know what I'm looking for. Proof that he's dangerous? Proof that he's not? Some magical answer that will tell me what the hell I'm supposed to do with all these feelings that won't go away no matter how hard I try to bury them?
I miss him. God, I miss all of them. But Ronan especially, which makes me feel insane because he's the one who lied. He's the one with blood on his hands in those photos.
