The talk I had with Walter days ago was the talk. I know I did it wrong by feeding him all the bourbon he wished to have, but it was the only way for the stubborn old man to open up to me. And the looser I got Walter, the more he opened up about the little investigation he had done. He may have been drunk that night, but he was still coherent enough to threaten me—threatening that if I were to tell Aria everything he said to me before she found out for herself, I'd never be able to give Aria another child. He also warned me that he'd do something significant to my family jewels; if not that, he'd do something a bit more drastic—and that's killing me.

Walter warned that since he's already nearing ninety years old, it wouldn't matter if he was sent to prison for killing me. That it was because he knew his clock was ticking, that his time on earth was close to expiring, and that they would treat him just as wonderfully in prison as he gets treated here. So, to not upset him, I told him that I wouldn't say a word to anyone—giving him my word, I wouldn't.

I don't know how Walter does it, but that man can dig up anything on anyone. And I'm overly amazed by what this man can do and what he can find. For someone as old as him, who didn't grow up in the technology era as Aria and I have, he's pretty internet and tech-savvy, something I can sadly say that I am not. I know how to get online, but searching for answers I wish to know is not my specialty. Fighting is my specialty.

On the night of the talk, Walter drunkenly admitted why he was so adamant about Aria visiting her mother. That it was because he found interesting information—possibly it being the missing piece of the puzzle that has haunted Aria for years. And by using his smarts and the details Aria had provided him with over the years, he used that information to discover the truth about what happened to Aria's mother and the real reason behind her mental breakdown.

Walter didn't tell me everything that night, but what he admitted to finding, my heart broke for Aria after admitting he discovered something about a woman named Stella, Aria's sister. A sister Aria had assumed was dead, but in fact, was alive and well, and living in the Seattle area with her so-called adoptive parents, saying she's twenty years old, graduated from high school, and that she's now going to college.

Walter also mentioned that Aria's mother knew what had happened to Stella since June; Aria's mother was the one who had to sign the papers to release Stella to her adoptive parents. Walter believes June didn't just go into a state of depression over Vince, Aria's father, leaving her for another woman. Instead, she went into depression because she lost the next best thing in her life—her newborn child—the last child she shared with the love of her life.

Everything Walter mentioned that night makes perfect sense to me.

Walter also believes June pushed Aria and Justin away all these years because she felt she failed her kids. Which I couldn't agree more on the more I think about it. Because when you're so in love with someone, and you get blindsided by the love of your life leaving you for someone else, you sit and wonder what you did wrong to make them stray and leave, especially after working hard for what you achieved together.

In June's case, they had a home, good jobs, and two children with one on the way. They were living the life. And then suddenly, out of nowhere, it was all taken away from her, with no explanations. Of course, not everyone reacts the way she did when you feel you lost everything, and we're all not built alike, but the way it happened and how it blindsided her, I can see where that would cause June to lose it.

One thing I do know is that I'd lose it myself if I ever lost Aria. She's the love of my life who gave me one of the biggest prizes one could ever receive: my son Wyatt. And I'd be heartbroken if I were to lose them both. Aria has given and taught me so much ever since we met, and to this day, I still feel I owe her more than what I've already given her.

She helped me get over Shelby. After years of mourning someone I thought loved me and then finding out it was all a lie and that she never died, it nearly killed me. When I first saw that Shelby was still alive and working with The Tormentor, how they were an item the entire time she was with me and used me to ruin me, it really killed me. So I can't thank Aria enough for helping me get through it.

Aria's a badass. She may not be showing that side of her lately, but I know she's still that badass I've grown to love. And what I've seen from her and everything I've taught her. Including what she's taught me in return, I know when the time comes and she's face to face with her father. It will not be pretty.

As I sit here thinking about all of this, it brings me back to the night of Aria's fight with Hell's baby. Walter refused to tell me her other sister's fighting name, claiming that it was something Aria needed to figure out on her own. But after watching Hell's baby fight Aria, I wholeheartedly believe she's Felicia. So, after Aria told me about some things her challenger said to her inside the ring, I put two and two together. And when we were leaving the ring, and Hell's baby said to Aria, 'Until next time,' that really got me thinking that she was definitely one of Aria's sisters.

So, because of what Walter told me that night, he asked that I do whatever I can to help Aria after returning from her unexpected visit with her mother.

I'm glad Justin figured out how to pull Aria out of her cave for the day to take her to see her mother. It was one of the most burdensome secrets for me to keep, and I almost spoiled the surprise a couple of times, especially when I teased her about teaching Wyatt how to kick her ass if he were ever to get pissed at her. But I had to say something to keep from telling her what I knew and give her something to laugh about because I had a strong feeling that once she came home, the smile I put on her face before she left would no longer be there when she comes home.

As I sat on the floor playing with Wyatt and Walter sitting in his wheelchair beside us watching, it hit me when something Justin had started saying, but abruptly stopped when Aria entered the room. And what I think he was about to say is that he knows where their father lives. So, after Aria comes home and tells me about her day and how it went with her mother, I'll visit Justin to see if that's the case.

And if it is, he and I are taking a trip over to their father's place—tonight.

***

As much as I wanted to visit Justin tonight to see what he knew about where their father was living, I couldn't. Not after Aria told me he was proposing to Nikki tonight. It's not my style to ruin someone's special moment, so my curiosity will have to wait for another day. Tonight, my job is to take Aria's mind off all the bad things and bring her mind back to us.

Aria wanted me to take her out to get drunk, but since nobody was available to watch our little guy, I ran to the store instead to buy Aria what she was looking to drink tonight—tequila. I know I shouldn't have done so, but because of the situation and how upset Aria was with what she found out, I figured this was the one time she deserved to forget about all of her problems for one night and say fuck Neron's rules.

After laying Wyatt down, I headed to the kitchen, poured tequila into three shot glasses, and then sat at the table and handed them out. Walter grinned as he picked up his glass. "My clothes will be falling off tonight! It's too bad I don't have a beautiful lady to share this special occasion with."

Aria finally smiled. She picked up her glass, then looked at Walter and giggled. "There'll be no clothes falling off for you tonight."

Walter's bushy brows formed together. "Why not?"

"Because this is all you're getting. You've been drinking way too much lately -"

"So," Walter interrupted. "What's the big deal, anyway? For years I lived living by the rules of not having any alcohol. And since I've fulfilled my time here on earth, I feel it's my turn to start breaking the damn rules. Just like you are right now," he devilishly grinned, extending his arm toward her. "Cheers, hot stuff," he teased, then wiggled his brows up and down. "If you're not allowing my clothes to fall off, then you better drink up to make Gunner a happy man tonight by allowing your clothes to fall off..."

"I'm not having this conversation with you," Aria giggled, shaking her head. "So, with that said, enjoy your shot."

"Believe me, I will," Walter happily said, drinking his shot in one swallow. "Ahh... that was damn good," he said, licking his lips while shoving his glass toward me. "I prefer to chase shots of tequila with another shot of tequila. So keep 'em coming."

I grabbed the bottle of tequila and brought it to the table; as I refilled our glasses, Aria sighed, "I still can't believe the sister I thought was dead as these years is alive." Aria looked at Walter with a confused look on her face. "How on earth did you discover that out?"

He raised his hand to the side of his face, tapping his temple. "I used my brain. You know, years ago, I wanted to be a private investigator, but my wife feared I'd be away from home all the time, so to make her happy, I chose to be an architect instead."

"But I never said I thought my sister was alive, so what made you think she was?"

"I never suspected she was, but when I was searching the web using different keywords, I found a blog that had caught my eye where a nurse had written about an experience she had dealt with and how it had been eating at her for years. So after reading her story and doing the math, I felt it was all too familiar with everything you had told me, so I dug deeper. When I couldn't find more information, I went back to her blog and pestered her until she finally contacted me. I promised not to expose her or her memoir in exchange for the information I was seeking. I also sent her a pretty good chunk of money," he added, snickering. "And before you ask, the answer is no. I do not know who raised your sister. That was the only thing the nurse refused to tell me."

I think Walter knows more than he's saying. I see it in his eyes; there's more he would like to tell her, but because of the promises he made with the nurse, he's keeping mum about what else he knows, hoping Aria will figure it out on her own.

Aria's lips twisted. "I have an immense feeling it was my father who took her. That'll explain why he quit seeing Justin and me. He didn't want us to know he took our sister away from my mother. What an asshole..."

I agree with Aria. I also strongly feel that Justin may know more than what he's led Aria to believe. I could be wrong thinking the way I am, but my gut tells me differently—all the more reason for me to visit Justin to see what he knows.

I wanted to continue helping Aria forget about what she learned, so after Aria helped Walter into his bed, I met her in the hallway as she was leaving his room. I pulled her tightly against me, crushed my mouth to hers, and lifted her. Then, with our mouths still locked together, I carried her down the hallway, into our room, and then kicked the door shut.

I lowered her onto the bed and kissed her until she broke from my mouth, gasping for air. "Gunner," she heavily breathed. "What are you doing? I'm not in the mood for this tonight," she panted as my mouth devoured her neck while my hand fondled her breasts.

"You're in the mood," I whispered. "You're always in the mood," I muttered.

"Not tonight. Too much happened today, and I'm still trying to process it all."

I lifted my head, and when I saw strands of hair covering her beautiful face, I tucked them behind her ears, saying, "It's time to put your mind to rest finally," I whispered, lowering my mouth and chastely kissing her lips. "Your mind's been going non-stop for months. So tonight, I want to stop that working mind by putting it on pause. It's time for just us to enjoy each other without anyone coming into our minds. All I want is you and me to enter each other's minds."

She shook her head. "I can't, Gunner. I just can't. After learning what I did today, there's no way my mind will allow me to think of anything else."

"Never say you can't," I responded, the palms of my hands pressing down on either side of her bed and pushing myself up, my face mere inches away from hers."You know what happens when you say you can't do something."

She sucked her lips into her mouth and then bit down.

"That's what I thought," I chortled. "Like I said. Tonight it's just you and me, babe. I just paused the entire world so we can enjoy each other without anyone interrupting us."

She giggled.

"What's so funny?"

Aria raised her hands to my face and then slid her fingers through my hair. "When you said, 'You and me, babe,' it instantly reminded me of the Def Leppard song Pour Some Sugar On Me. Now that has me wondering what kind of sugar you plan on pouring on me tonight?"

I smirked, the smirk I knew always excited her. "Oh, you know... something warm, and something you love to taste that's mine."

Her lips curved upward into a smile. "I'm still thirsty, so feed me," she challenged—something I'm all for, just to make her happy.

I reached over to her nightstand, picked up the baby monitor, and turned the sound down. Hopefully, we're not too loud where he'll wake up screaming, causing our world to come to a screeching halt. Because of what I plan on doing to her tonight, I didn't want Wyatt interrupting her mind, thinking she needed to check on him.

I set the monitor down, opened the drawer, and removed Aria's favorite toys. Then I moved back to her, flashed her nipple clamps over her face with one hand, and with my other hand, I dangled the handcuffs with my pointer and middle finger, swaying them from side to side with a massive grin on my face.

"Really, Gunner?"

I nodded. "Yes. Really," I grinned, reaching for Aria's wrists.

"Wait," she protested, snapping her wrists out of my hands. "You're about to punish me for no reason, aren't you?"

"No, I'm only bringing you into the world you love—our special world."

"I may enjoy the world you bring me to because I love that part of our world. But tonight, if you want me and you to be the only ones moving in the world you claimed to have paused, then the rules you were about to put on me have been canceled immediately. You want my mind to stop?"

I slowly shook my head from side to side while grinning ear to ear.

Now, this is the girl I know. This is my Aria. And if her wanting to take control over me will make her happy, then I won't stop her from doing what she wishes to do.

"We're going by my rules. Not yours. Mine," she stated firmly, pushing up on my chest and flipping me onto my back.

"Aggressive, are we?" I teased as she snatched the handcuffs from my hand.

"I've told you before that I would find a time when you deserved to be handcuffed. And that time is now. You're the one who deserves to be punished," Aria stated while clasping the handcuff around my wrist.

"What did I do?" I asked, enjoying Aria's aggressive side—the side of her I hadn't seen for a while and had been missing.

"You knew exactly where Justin was bringing me, and you hid that from me. One of your rules is to never hide anything from one another." She's right. I did say that. "Secondly, you and Walter lied to me this morning. When I asked what Walter meant with a comment he had said, you both said nothing. You also said that you didn't hear Walter say anything. I heard him clear as day, but I didn't comprehend what was said until I was with Justin and realized his plans for the day. And lastly, I know Walter opened up to you the other night when the two of you got drunk. So whatever you're hiding. You better open that can and spill the beans."

I don't think so, honey. Even though I'd like to tell Aria what I know, I promised Walter to keep my mouth shut. So because she seems to be happy with wanting to be the dominant one tonight, I'll let her. I want my Aria back, and if this is what it'll take, then bring on the discipline.

I smiled after she attached the last handcuff to my wrist and locked it to the bed. "Punish me, babe," I ordered, putting my best game face on since I knew there was a secret I was holding deep inside me, and knowing if I were to admit to what I knew, Walter would go ahead with his threat by torturing my bean bags.

So, because I'd like to give Aria more children, she can torture me all she wants, and I'll continue acting as if I know nothing else.

She climbed over and straddled me. Then, when I saw the corner of her lips rising, my dick twitched at the sight of her beautiful smile—the Cheshire cat's smile, a mischievous look written all over her face.

Now, I know why.

She lifted her nipple clamps and dangled them over my face. "If this is how you want to play this game, I'll play your game," she warned, clamping them to my nipples. What was to be my game has now turned into her game. And I wasn't about to take that away from her, so I held my smile, wanting my wife's badass side to come out again. The side of her that always has my dick aching to be inside her.

Every. Fucking. Time.

With her hand gripped onto the tassels, she lowered her face to my swollen cock, flickered her eyes up to mine, and when our eyes locked, she wrapped those beautiful, luscious lips around my very hardened cock.

My eyes closed for a moment to enjoy her mouth pleasuring me again, but they didn't stay closed for long. "Open your eyes and watch," she demanded, tugging the tassels hard and fast.

I quickly opened my eyes, and the second she saw my eyes on her, she took me all in, filling her entire warm mouth with me, but then her tonsils tickled the head of my cock, and I closed my eyes and moaned, "Fuck, Aria..."

"Watch me, Gunner."

I fought to open them. I enjoyed Aria's warm, wet mouth and tongue gliding nicely over my protruding, throbbing veins that they refused to open. So she tugged the tassels once again, causing my eyes to spread fast. Then, with force, she slid her mouth down my shaft, once again filling her entire mouth of me, and then slowly moved her mouth up the pole, ending at the swollen head of my dick and provocatively circling the tip with her tongue—licking and sucking up all the escaping precum.

Her mouth repeated the beautiful motions until I filled Aria's entire mouth with my oozing secretions.

Fucking beautiful.

Just fucking beautiful.

But if Aria thinks using her mouth to fuck me will get me to talk. She's wrong. What she was doing was only causing more excitement within me and my throbbing, aching cock. And now it has me wanting to fill her other insides. She wrapped her hand around my shaft again and then moved it up and down while teasing the head of my dick with her tongue, working it to get it to swell once again.

And it worked.

My cock was as hard as fuck.

Just when I thought she was finished fucking me with her mouth, her tongue slithered out like a snake, trailing her tongue from the tip of my shaft down to my swollen, hardened balls. Causing my dick to harden more than the steel of a flag pole, which grew taller than I thought it ever could when she licked the backside of my balls.

I guess one would say she just raised the flag. My flag.

Aria must really be thirsty—she has my cock going for its third round of volcanic eruption. And because of all the cumming I've done in such a short time, I felt like I was in a wild state where I could be the Incredible Hulk and break these handcuffs away from the bed and take control.

"Aria, I think it's my turn to satisfy you," I begged, but she refused to stop. Then she sent my mind into a frenzy when she tugged the tassels harder while her teeth bit down around the crown of my cock, and she pulled. Finally, I couldn't handle it anymore and became the Incredible Hulk. I was now him and broke free.

I sprang up, reached down to her arms, and gripped and flipped her underneath me. "Gunner," she squealed, "that's unfair. I don't interrupt you when you're disciplining me," she scowled. "I lay where you want, and I take the torture—every time. And then whenever I get the chance to play you at your own game, you always seem to find a way to end the game. You're such a cheater."

"I'm not a cheater," I chuckled while hovering over her. "I enjoyed every minute of what you were doing, but I don't understand what you were trying to accomplish when I have nothing to tell you. So, now that I allowed you to get away with doing what you did, it's my turn to return the favor."

"That's not fair, and you know it," she huffed, trying to push me off her. But I stayed firm and covered her mouth with mine. Even though I wanted to return the favor and torture her right back, I couldn't. Not only was I, but my cock was desperate to be inside her—feeling her warm, wet pussy wrapped tightly around me and making her warmer and wetter when I filled her entire pussy canal with my sugar.

Hope the chapter is okay!🤞❤🤞❤