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She checked with Garrick, who nodded before starting her story.
“I got a message from Aunt Ursa that the meeting would be at The Cafe. When he got there, I gave him the envelope Aunt Ursa had given me, and then he handed me the drive. That was it. I think he saw Jackson because he got a little spooked and took off.”
“What was said during your conversation?” Garrick asked. His jaw was tight, but he managed to keep his voice even. She’d already taken a punishment for what she’d done. Any more lecturing from them would be out of line. But Bastian knew Garrick’s irritation now was geared more toward having his brother involved.
“Nothing. He just said the delivery information was on the drive.” She lifted a shoulder.
“And what did you give him? What was in the envelope?” Bastian asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to be absolutely sure.
“It looked like money.” She peered at the screen. “You said girls are being prostituted. Is that what my aunt was giving him money for?” She looked up at Bastian.
“Your aunt doesn’t just sell fragrances, apparently.” Bastian steadied himself. “She buys and sells women.”
“She traffics women,” Ariella stated with a stony expression. Maybe she wasn’t so innocent after all. “Does my father know?”
“He doesn’t involve himself, but he’s aware,” Garrick said.
Ariella slowly sat down in the chair behind her. “He doesn’t stop her?” Her voice cracked in the middle of the question. “He knows girls are having these things done to them, and he doesn’t stop it?”
“He doesn’t participate,” Bastian said as though it somehow made it better.
“Not doing anything about it is participating,” Ariella said firmly.
“Right now, we have to worry about this shipment,” Garrick interjected. “We can stop it; we know when it’s happening. The girls are being brought to the station in five days. We can stop it.”
“Ariella,” Bastian said. “Text your aunt and let her know the exchange happened. Let’s see what she says next.”
Garrick turned to look up at Bastian with a frown.
“I’ll explain in a minute,” Bastian assured him.
Ariella found her purse on the desk and dug out her phone.
“Shit. I forgot I was supposed to call Finn back.” She typed out a message on her phone.
“Who the fuck is Finn?” Garrick’s possessiveness showed.
“He’s one of Trident’s men.”
“He’s my friend,” Ariella sent a glare toward Bastian.
“He’s supposed to be working,” Bastian commented.
“He’s just texting to say hi, asking me what I’m up to. I don’t want to lie to him, Bastian.” She looked to him for guidance, and his cock hardened again.
“Text your aunt first,” Bastian said, holding back his frustration. “Did you tell Finn you were coming to Kassel?” A new brand of irritation hit him. Finn was supposed to protect her, not encourage her recklessness.
“I didn’t want him to worry. He swore he wouldn’t tell my dad.”
“About your father, when were you going to tell him that you aren’t living with him anymore?” Bastian asked.
“When he got back. You know he doesn’t like contact while he’s on that hunt.” She typed away on her phone. “All right, Aunt Ursa is typing.” She
“You’re getting off track,” Garrick grumbled. He grabbed his empty glass and returned to the wet bar to pour a few more fingers of whiskey.
“What did she say?” Bastian leaned over the desk as Ariella read the response.
“She said she needs me to do one more thing.” She circled her hand as though trying to rush her aunt’s texting. A soft ding signaled the message, and Ariella’s eyes went wide. “She wants me to accept delivery for a shipment. She says all I have to do is sign for it, and the shipment will be sent to her in Caspian.”
