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“No. I didn’t want to risk either Aria or Dante getting hurt. You know how chaotic Finn can be. How impulsive. I played it safe and let him go with Aria.”
“I didn’t blame him for it,” Dante explains. “I couldn’t put Aria at risk.”
“So you let Finn go… again? I’m seriously starting to question your loyalties, Dante. Every time Finn shows up, you seem incapable of killing him.”
“Aiden can’t kill him either,” Dante objects.
“That’s because he’s my brother. But I haven’t stopped any of you from killing him. Even though it…” A darkness covers Aiden’s eyes. Elena leans into him, murmuring quiet words to him.
“Is there any way you can make peace with Finn?” I ask.
Erik gives me a flat look. “He just tried to kill me. You got hurt because of it. No. I don’t think there’s any way to make peace with him. Finn needs to die. I will kill him next time I get the chance. I will not hesitate. Everyone in this room needs to understand that.” He gives Aiden and Dante a particularly hard look.
“I get it,” Dante says. “I want him dead too. He kidnapped Aria just to piss me off. That can’t stand.”
“Aiden?” Erik asks.
After a long moment, Aiden sighs. “He’s still my brother and he always will be. But he showed up at my house and tried to threaten Elena. I shot him. It was the first time I was ever able to do that. If Finn comes back and tries to hurt my wife, I will… I’ll do what needs to be done.”
“What about what I want?” I ask. Everyone turns to look at me.
“And what do you want?” Dante asks, crossing his arms. “You better tell me to spare Finn’s life.”
“He’s my husband. I… care for him, despite everything.”
Erik eyes darken. “If you’re choosing your husband’s side, Aria, then that makes you an enemy to us.”
“Woah. Hey.” Dante steps in front of me. “Slow down there. You know Aria isn’t an enemy to us.”
“I hope she isn’t but if she’s on Finn’s side, she could tell him what we’re planning. It’s better she remains with her dad under observation until Finn is dead.”
“No,” I say. “I don’t want to be controlled again.”
“Aria, enough,” Dante hisses. “Just stay quiet and let me handle this. Erik, if you hurt Aria, then we’re through. We’re no longer partners. I know you won’t risk that.”
“I won’t,” he agrees. “But she needs to be watched. I’m not ordering Aria to die. Don’t worry. Just watch her while I go kill Finn. This needs to be over for good. Now we have Viktor back atwar with us we have to contend with. He will not stop until we’re all taken down. If Finn is dead, that will weaken Viktor.”
Dante nods. “Understood. I’ll bring Aria home.”
“This isn’t fair,” I object.
“Aria, shut up. I’m taking you home. Are we done here?”
Erik nods with the ultimate superiority he possesses. He’s in a room full of Italians and yet, he’s the most powerful man in here. I’m not sure how he does it.
Dante brings me back home. Nadia stayed behind to leave with Anya and Erik, giving Dante and me some time just the two of us.
“Your dad will be excited to see you. I told him not to come to the hospital. That I was taking you back home.”
“Fine.” I don’t look at him as I open the car door.
“Aria,” Dante warns. “I know you’re not happy with me. But you can’t care for Finn. He will drag you down with him. You know that. He is dangerous and that is something you cannot forget.”
“Nadia fought hard to be with you when Erik wanted you dead. Elena fought hard to be with Aiden when you all were trying to kill him. Why can’t I fight too?” I slam the door on Dante’s stunned face before I march inside.
I’m in my dad’s arms the second I walk through the door. “Oh, Aria. Thank god you’re safe.”
I don’t hesitate to hug him right back. Even though I don’t want Finn to die, I’m not going to complain about being back home. I missed my dad and being with him again feels right.