Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Seven

Aria

            “You’re insane! That has to be it! You’ve lost it! Girllllll!” She draws out the girl may be in shock or maybe just to help create the dramatics she wants. Tara can be carefree and straightforward. She doesn’t hold anything back or pretend to be anyone she isn’t. The only time I’ve seen her be even partially timid was around Wyatt, but even that was minor and didn’t last long.

    I love her personality and bravery. The way she’ll face anyone and doesn’t settle for anything less than respect. She’s real and loyal, making her an amazing friend. But it also means she won’t take any s**t or hold back. When she sees me f*****g up or making moves she doesn’t approve of she gives me her opinion. All in a way that lets me know she’s here and she supports me as a person and a friend. She’ll be here and stand by me through my stupid move but sure as s**t she’ll give me her honest opinion and hold me accountable.

    Accountability sucks when it’s pointed your way.

    Cutting the tape on the box in front of me I peel it open and grab out the decorations. The noise the plastic-wrapped glass makes gives me a good cover to buy me a few precious seconds. The first few days after I got back from Boston were spent in Mason’s warm arms while we waited for me to heal. I was sore and Mason was overbearing so we mostly watched movies, played some card games, and Monopoly.

    He made sure my sweet tooth was satisfied with extravagant, mouth-watering treats that seriously blew my mind. Each one came with new inspiration and an itchy to get in the kitchen. But between each decadent bite was the reminder that I had someone so supportive and caring on my side. And then the guilt started building and when Mason went back to work when I finally had time in the kitchen alone. The guilt overwhelmed me.

    I was well enough to get back in the kitchen and even with the music up and the built-up anticipation to put the recipes in my mind into the real world and create, my hands were stuck and stiff. My heart wasn’t free like usual, it was heavy, unworthy. The one thing I’ve always had to get lost in was no longer my safe haven, my therapy.

    With a heavy heart and dark memories, my passion for cooking leaked out and latched onto a new obsession, a new therapy. A new way to prove myself. My focus shifted and my plans started but there was still a timeline to uphold and pressure mounting.

    Mason wasn’t forthcoming with information any longer, probably out of some concern for my mental wellbeing and a lot to do with my obvious avoidance. Regardless, I wasn’t getting information from him but I knew before my situation was dire than his at that moment in time, which allowed us to sometimes forget about him. Still, Dixie inc. was on the verge of destruction and Edward Maverick was making moves alongside the Mafia.

    If Mason was worried before it has to be nothing compared to what he’s going through in silence now. We have no idea how deep this all goes or who knows about it that shouldn’t. The mob is involved, with that comes a certainty that the authorities are aware at the very least. And if they ever get enough to implicate Edward or Dixie…

    All the unknowns fed into my anxiety, fear, and overwhelming guilt. How much time did Mason waste on my situation? Time that could cost him everything while he was handing me the pathway to my deepest dreams, dreams I thought would forever stay out of reach. Dreams, I thought childish and cruel. A fairytale, nice to imagine but never an actual option. But he had it, he has it. The fairytale, my fairytale.

    He wasted time on me, and he didn’t want me involved any longer, but I wouldn’t let the man that stood by me go down with no support at the very least an effort on my part. So, I’ll figure this out for him. Or I’ll give him answers he’ll need. Answers that come at a price. Mason won’t be accepting of the circumstances I need to create to get the answers he’s not able to.

        Tara and Wyatt can help me accomplish this in a safer, smarter more efficient way. Ideally, I wish I could avoid their help and not put them in any dangerous situations, which is why I tried last night on my own. Now they know, or suspect and bringing them in on this is a smart decision, I just need to be careful they don’t get too close to any fires.

    Placing the last decoration from the box on the counter, I raise my eyes to Tara’s and then to Wyatt’s. Usually, he’ll stand off to the back of the room, or in a corner. Somewhere he can see me and stay discrete. Right now, he’s standing next to Tara, waiting on the answers I promised them both last night. He’s not just my bodyguard right now, he’s my friend and my best friend’s man.  And I trust them both.

    “Wyatt, how much information has Mason given Dibb about Dixie and Edward?” I steal my shoulders, ready for whatever response. His loyalty lies with Dibb and Mason and I have no idea if he’s been told to keep this information from me.

    Keeping close eye contact I notice when his eyes squint in and his shoulders tense. He knows something. It only takes him a few seconds to calculate his next move, weighing his options and his need for information. I know I have him as he cracks his neck and rests his hand on the back of it like he’s uncomfortable. Tara notices too, twisting to the side she crosses her arms and waits for all the information she’s lacking.

            “I know about as much as you do.” He tries shrugging it off but I push forward asking him to elaborate. His eyes dart to Tara before moving back to me as he rolls his big head on his wide shoulders. “Edward’s involved with some people he shouldn’t be. We’re to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious and find any more information we can on Edward and company.”

            “What people?” Tara jumps in. She doesn’t like the half-answers and I don’t blame her. Talking with Wyatt has to be like pulling teeth constantly.

            “The Russian Mob. Stasevich.” I spit it out without hesitation. Wyatt cracked the door, but I’ll pry it open.

            Tara pivots in my direction, zeroing on me while Wyatt relaxes a fraction. He doesn’t like the attention, nor do I think it’s easy for him to betray his trust to Dibb and Mason. No matter my intentions I’m still asking him to spill secrets he promised he wouldn’t. I’ll take the attention and give him the time to feel me out, get more comfortable.

            “What? Edward Maverick is working with the Russian mob?” Tara’s jaw drops and her eyes widen but her voice stays even.

            “I don’t know how long or much really but I know he’s involved in some really horrendous things. Human trafficking, drugs, bribes, and corruption. And he isn’t above murder. The bombing at my old apartment building may or may not have been related to him or Stasevich.

            “He uses the mob as much as they use him and their hands are all over Dixie. If the right person finds out or can tie it all together, the Mavericks will lose everything, and every employee working for what they think, and pretty much is an upstanding, professional company will be out a job.

            “Mason will lose his chance to run for public office with a scandal like that, his reputation will be shot. And Edward is evil, wicked. He’s a master manipulator with an endless craving for power. He’s been playing this game for a long ass time. He has the finical support and the physical muscle and intelligence he needs to always be ten steps ahead.

            “The only way I stand a chance of bringing him down, of helping Mason bring him down is to get close to the operation.” Reading the room, I leave off there. Giving them a few moments to process as I unwrap the first decoration.

            “That’s what you were doing last night? The disguise? You’re trying to go undercover? In the f*****g Mob?” Wyatt’s voice rises with each word as the realization hits him of just how stupid I was last night.

            “Yes. And it’s the right move. Mason can’t do it alone, but he can’t trust anyone either. He’s been hiring people and they aren’t getting much digging around in papers and following people around. These guys are good, skilled, and f*****g aware. They’re always suspecting they’re being watched. Mason might get a little information here and there but he needs someone inside.

            “I can do that. I managed to track down someone in Stasevich circles, a lower member sure but I got some information just by sitting next to him before you interrupted.

            “If I can get close to him again, flirt a little. Feed him some alcohol and play a game of darts. I just need enough information to lead me to someone else, somewhere else. Get close enough to gather intel without getting too close to be noticed.” Telling them lifts a little weight off my shoulders, sharing the burden and talking it through. It makes it more real.

            Tara’s nodding her head as she chews on her lip like she can see my reasoning, while Wyatt looks like he’s trying to pull himself together and not explode. Wyatt speaks first. “Do you have a death wish? Maybe a sick fetish for psychopaths? Or an adrenaline addiction?” He’s breathing heavy and pacing the room as he processes.    

            “No, but I love Mason and I’m going to help him as he helped me. I can do this Wyatt. And I know the risks but if you guys helped me? We could work together on this and really figure s**t out. You would be there to make sure I’m safe and you have way better technical and surveillance knowledge.” I’m pleading now and I don’t care. I need this.

            Wiping my sweaty hands on my pants I grab for the next decoration and start to unravel the protective plastic as I anxiously wait. “I’ll help.”

            The words aren’t fully out of Tara’s mouth before Wyatt is bounding over to her with a protective determination. He’s a lion ready to protect its mate and eliminate the danger. “NO,” One word is all he says but it’s loud, clear, and full of authority.

            Authority Tara outright ignores. She doesn’t even glance in his direction, instead, she keeps her eyes on me as she continues over him. “You’re right Aria. If Edward is involved with the Mob and we have a chance at stopping them both. We need to take it. For all the innocent lives they’ve ruined already and the ones they have yet to. Maybe it’s dangerous and maybe it’s stupid of us to think we can make a difference. But I’ll help you because it’s the right thing to do.” And just like that, I have two allies, because as much as Wyatt wants to protest Tara’s words were more powerful, more meaningful, and written in law the second she spoke them.

            We were doing this. Taking on the Russian mob and a power-hungry Billionaire. All behind Mason’s back. If I’m confident in one thing, it’s that whatever can go wrong will. And when this is over, I’ll be lucky to still be standing at all.