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“We front all costs. We’ll make donations to Sparrow House to cover any and all expenses. Hell, we’ll fund the construction of more safe houses if that’s what's needed. But we need somewhere to send these people, and we know you guys handle this sort of stuff.” I like Castle’s direct approach. He doesn’t hold much back.
“If Lilith agrees, we can have you up and running in a week. If she doesn’t, though, our hands are tied,” Severo remarks.
Watching the men around the room, they seem to have a silent conversation before Castle reaches out a hand towards me. “That’s fair. We’ll wait for your call.”
“How are you funding this?” Hendrix finally speaks.
“Not sure you want to know,” Prince replies.
“Lilith will want to know,” Hen bites back.
“We run several brothels in Mobile and the surrounding area. Folks from all over come to meet our girls,” Cross explains at Castle’s nod.
I stand and tell the men, “Get your funds together. If Lilith signs off on this, she’s going to want to get started on building new safe houses ASAP. Do you have any contacts in social services?” They’re a massive part of what we do.
“My sister is a social worker here. She’s digging through all the red tape based on a hypothetical, but I think she might lose her job. Fucking stubborn ass woman.” Hendrix snorts because he understands Castle’s plight. His own sister, Hadley, is the same way. Hell, we all understand the stubbornness that is Hadley Adair.
“We’ll talk soon,” I say as I lead the way out of their private room, collecting our phones and Bishop’s laptop as we do.
* * *
Aria
Sitting on the steps in front of my childhood home, I stare at my phone. At the message I received this morning just after Seven and Severo dropped me off. I know they’re out of town for most of the day, so I strongly debate the request.
“You look concerned.” Glancing up, I see Aunt Nika and Uncle Danny leaving the house. Something’s going on because this place has been buzzing all day with movement.
“Everything alright?” Danny asks.
“I don’t know,” I respond honestly. Because I don’t.
Kelsey has been weird since graduation. When I got this text from her, I was surprised.
“Anything we can help with?” Danika asks as she sits next to me. I shrug, and she leans her shoulder into mine. Something she does with everyone when she’s concerned. “You can talk to me, sweetheart; you know I’ll help.”
“No, I know. It’s just my friend Kelsey. I think she has a crush on me. But that’s silly, right?” I can’t get the look she gave me at the dress shop out of my head.
“Why would it be silly? You’re smart, beautiful, compassionate,” Daniel says and grins when I roll my eyes at him.
“You’re obligated to say those things.” I tease him. “I think she’s jealous. Of the twins. She’s said some not-so-nice things to me the past couple of days, and now she wants to take me out for lunch and talk.”
They share a look.
“What’s that look for?”
“Well, be cautious. Maybe wait for the boys to get back. They could go with you. She could get to know them and realize how perfect the three of you are together.” Despite my dad’s grumbling, I know that both sets of parents are happy for us.
“Maybe,” I murmur, not sure if that’s how I should approach this. “I should let her down gently, though, right? I didn’t think I gave off signals that I was interested, but what if I did by accident?”
Daniel grips a hand as he stands in front of me. I know that he and Dimitri are intimate together, too, and that before each other, they’d never been with other men. “You can’t give signals that aren’t there, Aria. Unless you were kissing her.” I shake my head. “Touching inappropriately or saying things to indicate that’s what you wanted.” I shake my head again. “Then you need not feel guilty, but clarifying things wouldn't hurt. You don’t have to lose your friend over a misunderstanding, but you shouldn’t feel awkward either. Crushes happen. She might not have been able to help it.”
Climbing to my feet, I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thanks, Uncle Danny, you always know what to say. You’d have been a really great girl-dad, but you kind of make the best girl-uncle out there.”
“I won’t tell your other uncles you said that.” Winking, he grabs Aunt Danika’s hand, and together, they walk to their car and leave.
Responding to Kelsey, I let her know I’ll meet her, and she replies quickly with the dock where her family boat is. We’ve gone out on it a few times before, so I don’t find it weird.
After running inside to change and let Mom know I’m going out for lunch, I drive the thirty minutes to the boat arena. Before getting out of my Lexus, I text Seven and Severo, letting them know what I’m doing.
