ARIA

I exhale in awe, "You would do that for me?"

"It is not only for you," Nicco retorts through a penetrating gaze. "Do not forget. I have a stake in this as well. Jaime was fucked the moment he fucked with my family."

I should be horrified by the idea of killing someone in cold blood, but my pulse is racing with excitement and shock at this new, darker side to Nicco. He sounds like the devil, and I fucking love it. Maybe there's a devil in me, too. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to destroy Jaime, and I've always wanted to avenge Maya's death. I just never thought that it would be within my reach. Something moves in me, rife with a raw, powerful emotion.

I feel an uncontrollable urge to share, "Her name was Maya, by the way."

"Maya?"

In a bittersweet way, it's nice to hear someone else say her name out loud. "Yes."

"May she rest in peace. I hope Maya is in a better place now."

"I think I'm still fucked in the head because of what Jaime did to her."

"You're not fucked up. You're human."

"She was a better person than me in every way," I whisper. "Sometimes, I wish I could've died in her place."

"Please do not wish for such things."

"Why not?"

Grudgingly, he mutters, "Then I would be the one missing you."

My breath hitches. "I thought you couldn't wait to get rid of me?"

"Every time I make up my mind," Nicco sighs, "you force me to reconsider. Honestly, I do not know what I feel for you anymore."

I grimace.

He lets out a harsh laugh. "I suppose this has always been my problem with you. I cannot seem to stop caring."

"Neither can I," I swear softly, "I won't let you down again, Nicco. I promise."

"Save your pretty words for another day. I may have a soft spot for you, but it is too early to determine whether your plans are credible. Or simply another well-laid trap."

"I swear on my dad's life that I won't keep secrets from you anymore."

"Trust and loyalty mean everything to me. It used to be a matter of life or death in the world my family operated in. Even if your heart was in the right place when you went behind my back with your schemes against Manning and Jaime, your actions have broken our bond in unimaginable ways."

"I know," I mumble, "I don't expect forgiveness. I just want a chance to make it up to you."

He quickly changes the subject. "How is your father doing? Is he stable?"

I swallow the thick, heavy ache in my chest and follow his lead, "I think so, but I can't be sure. I'm on my way to see him right now."

"Update me on his condition later?"

"I will."

"What can I do to help?"
To my shock, life has returned to his voice. There's warmth in him again. I cling to it like a bitch starving for affection. They say that no man is an island. I hope it's true. More than anything right now, I need someone to drag me to shore before I'm drowned by my own demons. The old me would've refused to take advantage of Nicco's generosity. But I'm too desperate to care. I'll do anything to get my dad away from Jaime.

Despite the damning note in my hotel room, I willingly place my fate in Nicco's hands. Trust needs to be a two-way street. I owe him this much after the shit I pulled on him. If Nicco's willing to meet me halfway, I'll break every single one of my rules for him.

Taking a deep breath, I request, "Once I figure out how to get my dad out of the hospital, do you think you could find a safe place for him to hide? Preferably out of the country. Somewhere remote so Jaime can't find him."

Nicco can't see me, but I'm shaking a little in the backseat of my Uber. I can't remember the last time I opened up so much to anyone. It's terrifying and freeing at the same time.

Without any hesitation, he agrees to my request, "I will make sure that your father is safe, Aria."

The conviction in his words makes me want to cry. I've never had anyone in my life who was willing to go to such lengths for me, let alone someone who has every right to walk away from me. I feel forever indebted to Nicco.

"You have no idea how much this means to me. I know I'm asking a lot of you," I say hurriedly, trying my best to express the depth of my gratitude, "I'll pay you back tenfold. Whatever you want from me, consider it done."

Wryly, he taunts, "Are you offering up your firstborn?"

"That depends."

"On?"

"Whether or not I'm making a deal with the devil."

"Maybe you are." Nicco replies with a harsh laugh, "What if I want your soul?"

"Then it's yours," I sigh. "I'm already going to hell, remember?"

"That makes two of us."

An amused smile tugs on my mouth. To my surprise, a flow of normalcy has returned to our exchange. It almost feels like we're friends again.

Almost.

But not quite.

Because he'll never be mine again. I'll have to stand back and watch him move forward with his life without me once our agreement comes to an end. A flash of Mira's blonde hair and Candy's pierced nipples crosses my mind. I wonder if he fucked them even though I have no right to ask. Jealousy writhes in me, but there's nothing I can do about it. I need to focus on earning back Nicco's trust and taking down Jaime.

As though on cue, my burner phone vibrates in my purse. I glance at the screen. Jaime just messaged me that he's waiting in the hospital lobby. Fuck. He must be getting restless.

Quickly, I text him back: Almost there.

Nicco stays on the line with me until my Uber reaches the hospital. We go over a few more details regarding our upcoming plans. Once Appa is able to be discharged from the hospital, I will arrange a rendezvous point for Nicco's men to pick him up. They'll transfer him to a secure location while I set up a diversion to get Jaime off their asses.

When there's nothing critical left to discuss, Nicco and I continue to banter and bicker over the best way to execute each step. I don't think either of us really wanted to say goodbye. After hanging up, something has, again, shifted between us. Nicco may never forgive me, but, at least, I think, now, he understands where I'm coming from a little more. My mask has been shattered. I no longer need to hide anything. I can finally be myself around him in all my broken, fucked up glory because he's seen me at my worst.

And he didn't walk away.

Nicco stayed even though he still seems pretty torn up about what to do with me.

He stayed when I needed him most.

He chose to fucking stay.

This alone gives me the courage to charge into the lobby, ready to raise whatever hell may be necessary to save Appa. I feel invincible. Right as I step inside the entrance, however, I see the dark hair, dark eyes, and cruel smirk that have haunted my nightmares for years.

I knew he would be here, but my heart jumps for a second, nonetheless. "Hello... Jaime."

His voice, reedy and grating on my soul, snakes toward me like an omen, "You're late, Ari."
Fearlessly, I turn toward him to defend myself, "I came straight from the airport. I didn't even stop at my hotel."

It's like Jaime didn't even hear me when he snaps, "Still, I was expecting you an hour ago. You know how much I hate being kept waiting."

"I'm sorry for making you wait. Traffic was a bitch."

Our gazes clash. Jaime stalks toward me and stops mere inches away, shoving his face into mine. The threat in his voice coils around me, low and deadly, "For a moment there, I thought I'd have to kill you for disappearing on me."

I glance down nervously. His hands are close enough to strike my face. I don't flinch, though. I stand my ground. Jaime is the kind of asshole who will seize a mile if you surrender an inch. From this moment forth, I can't let him sense a whisper of weakness. He must believe that I'm more valuable alive than dead.

My expression hardens as I push back, "Can we save the death threats for tomorrow? I'm exhausted from my flight, and my dad is missing a fucking finger. I just want to make sure he's okay and figure out how to get back at Nicco."

Jaime laughs sadistically. "Already plotting revenge?"

"You know it," I fling back coolly.

As long as he believes that I'm on his team, I should be safe.

"Can you take me to see my dad?"

Something shifts in his expression. Like a proud craftsman eager to show off his handiwork, Jaime purrs, "I thought you'd never ask."

Fuck him.

We ride the elevator up to the sixth floor. Fluorescent lights follow us down the corridor. The smell of disinfectant stings in the air.

Jaime stops in front of Room 604. "He's in there."

My palm pushes against the cold metal door. When it swings open, my gaze lands on the slumped figure on the bed. I recognize him immediately even though he looks nothing like himself. A dismayed gasp escapes me. His dark hair is grayer at the roots. His brown skin appears aged and haggard. He looks older and frailer than the last time I saw him. An unspeakable question quivers in my chest.

God.

What if I actually lost Appa?

I thought I'd already come to terms with the abysmal state of our relationship. I expected nothing more from him. But I realize, suddenly, as he lays before me in such a precarious condition, that I don't want to waste another moment accepting the bare minimum. There's so much we've left unsaid. Years of damage that needs to be repaired. My heart thunders with desperation. I want a moment alone with my dad, but I know there's no way that Jaime will leave the room even if I beg him.

Choking up a little, I rasp, "Appa..."

My dad opens his eyes at the sound of my voice. Shock freezes on his face. He exclaims weakly, "Aria? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

Shame darkens his expression. My dad slides his bandaged hand beneath the covers. I think he's trying to hide his injury from me. "I-I'm so sorry, duwa."

I feel helpless and angry about our plight. "There's no need to apologize."

"I never meant for things to turn out this way."

Jaime pipes up, "Then you shouldn't have fucked me over, old man. You took my money and went to the goddamn authorities. You're lucky that I saved you from Vitale. If I'd looked the other way, you wouldn't be alive right."

I watch Jaime with contempt as the bullshit spills from his mouth. Looks like I'm not the only one who's trying to put on a show right now.

Indignation flashes across Appa's face as he tries to protest, "I..."

"Watch what you say in front of your daughter."

It sounds like a warning. My dad immediately seals his mouth shut. Appa glances my way as though he's trying to read me. I scrunch up my face, pretending to be confused and clueless. He's already two steps away from hitting rock bottom. If Appa found out that I know about the crimes he's committed alongside Manning and Jaime, it might break him, and I'm not a believer in kicking a man while he's down.

But Jaime doesn't have a compassionate bone in his body. He's relentless. With glee, he glares at my dad while taunting, "Isn't it funny how some men only develop a conscience after using up the dirty money I've given you over the years? Have you told your daughter that I was the one paying for her tuition at Hawkins? Because you were too fucking broke to afford it?"

What?

I knew that my dad had been working for Manning and Jaime in the background.

I knew about the dirty money.

But I didn't know about my Hawkins tuition.

Is that why my dad became Manning's little bitch?

My heart breaks as I demand in a whisper, "Is it true?"