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Bastian’s hands fisted.
“That’s what I thought she’d say.” He looked to Garrick, who was downing his drink. “Cole Tiryns is the head of a small group who are ruthless as fuck. They deal in girls, guns, drugs; whatever will make them a fast buck. Henry doesn’t work with them because he finds them too extreme. There was a scuffle over some territory about a year ago. Cole wanted to break into liquor distribution, but Henry had that cornered. Cole backed off the liquor, and Henry vowed not to interfere in Cole’s business.”
“If the Tirynses are small time, why does he give a fuck?” Garrick asked.
“Because they’re aligned with the Faulkins family. If they get together and go against Henry, it would be a problem.”
“Chad is involved with this?” Ariella asked with her lips pressed together.
“I have no idea what the fuckhead is into, and it doesn’t matter. You’re not going to be married to him.” Bastian pointed a long finger at her. “That much I can guarantee.”
Her face softened a bit, letting a small smile through.
“Okay, so what does any of that have to do with Ares Morgan?”
“Nothing with Ares but Ariella.” Things were going to get more complicated now. “Ariella is a Trident. And a Trident just bought these girls and will be taking delivery of them, sending them to Caspian.”
“No, Ursa is doing that,” Ariella added.
“No, Ariella. You are. You gave Ares the money, you’re supposed to take the delivery, and Ursa has the receipt that she paid you to do all this.” Bastian fisted his hands.
“And she’s a Trident, which means she just broke the deal,” Garrick put his glass back down on the bar. “Does that mean this Cole fucker will come after her?”
“No. I don’t think that’s the aim here.” Bastian shook his head. “Ursa wants Henry.”
“She’s using me to get to my father?” Ariella clarified.
“I think so.”
“If Ariella doesn’t take delivery, then that’s not an issue,” Garrick said.
“Ariella already made the deal. Taking the delivery doesn’t mean much. Even if she doesn’t show up, the girls will be transported to Caspian.” Bastian explained.
“So, what do we do now?” Ariella asked, cradling her phone in her palm.
“I’m not sure yet.” Bastian shrugged. “But we have a few days to figure it out.”
Ariella lowered her head.
“You didn’t know what she was up to.” Garrick was at her side in two strides. “You had no idea about your aunt.”
“My aunt. My father.” She shook her head the brought a teary gaze up to Bastian. “You must think I’m the most naive fool there is.”
Bastian shook his head. “I don’t. You weren’t meant to know about this shit.”
“This isn’t your fault,” Garrick said again.
She inhaled a long breath and got up to her feet. “I’m really tired. Is it all right if I go upstairs and lie down?”
Bastian exchanged a look with Garrick, then nodded. “Yeah, sure.”
“Take my bed, Princess,” Garrick said with more firmness. “You’re not sleeping alone anymore.”
She paused, looking ready to argue, but then just nodded and drifted from the room. The soft click of the door was the only sound.
“I want to kill that aunt of hers.” Garrick ground out once Ariella was gone.
“I’m not sure I’ll stop you if it comes to that.” Bastian sat at the desk and returned to the document on the drive. “I’m going to go over all this again.”
