Page 65 of Kortlek

“I’m going to be honest, Cove,’’ he sighs. “I don’t think you two are good for each other. I could be biased, but I love you both, and I don’t want to see either of you hurt, but…’’

“But?”

“Take her away.’’

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“You heard Oliver. Wyatt plans to kidnap her. Take her away. I don’t trust a lot of people, but I trust you’ll keep her safe. No matter my personal opinions on your relationship with my sister, I do trust you. I know she’ll be safe with you. So, take her away.’’

“Aria won’t just come. She’ll fight to stay here and deal with Wyatt.’’

“And she will,’’ Arlo says quickly. “Wyatt is hers to kill. I wouldn’t take that away from him, no matter how much I want to. But I need to know that she’s safe and sound while I track him down and get him. His little goons may be little, but I’m not taking any chances.’’

I nod in realization. “You want them all caught before you get Wyatt.’’

Arlo leans back in the chair. “Dad will make sure Wyatt won’t be able to leave New York. He’ll close the city for him. Once he realizes his men are going missing one by one, he’ll panic. He’s bound to make a mistake and do something stupid.’’

“Where do you want me to take her?”

“I don’t know. Take her to France, Italy, or even fucking Japan. Just keep her as far as possible from New York.’’

“If Wyatt’s men are still keeping an eye on Aria, they’ll know where we’re headed. They could follow us even across the ocean.’’

“So? You’re capable enough to deal with it when the time comes. Besides, at most, he’ll send a few men. It’s easy for you and Aria to take them down.’’

“I don’t think you realize just how stubborn Aria is. She won’t just pack up and hop on a fucking plane.’’

“Then lie to her.’’

My brows narrow. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,’’ he snorts. “Didn’t you tell me a while ago you’d rather have Aria hate you and be safe than die loving you?”

I clamp my mouth shut. I knew those words would come back to bite me in the ass eventually; I just didn’t think it would happen so quickly. I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling the taste of blood coat my tongue as I contemplate my options.

On one hand, I listen to Arlo and take her away by feeding her lies. If she hates anything, it’s fucking liars. I don’t see a scenario where she’d be able to forgive me for that even years down the line. She’s too prideful and stubborn to do that.

However, she’d be safe. She'd be away from all of this, and she’d return when Wyatt is captured properly. He’s hers to kill, and she’d get to do it in an environment she chooses. Everything that comes after Wyatt getting caught will be her choice and done to her liking.

On the other hand, I could tell her the reason we’d be going away and take the chance of her throwing a fit over it. I understand why she would, too. She wants to fight her own battles, and as admirable as that is, it could also get her killed. That’s not something I’ll fucking risk.

“Just…’’ Arlo stands up, picking up the dirty towel. “Sleep on it, alright? Let me know tomorrow.’’

The two of us walk out of the basement toward the main mansion in silence. My mind is consumed with the thoughts of Aria and how to appropriately take action. Arlo, Noelle, and Hudson need to focus on tracking down Wyatt as soon as possible.

Aria going on her own leaves her without protection. No matter how good Hudson’s men are, I don’t trust them to keep her safe and unscathed.

Even Arlo trusts me more than he trusts men he grew up around.

Once we enter the mansion, he goes to change and shower, since he reeks of blood. I step into the kitchen, watching the scene in front of me.

Hudson’s helping Noelle finish up the meal; the two are laughing amongst themselves like two high schoolers in love. On the other side, Aria and Blair are skimming through a magazine, whispering in hushed voices.

The moment her eyes fall on me, her smile widens, eyes lightening up.

Something wraps around my chest, and I can’t shake off the feeling. Her happiness means the world to me. But the thought of not seeing that smile ever again breaks me apart. At this moment, I come to a conclusion, and the decision is made.

Aria’s safety above everything else.

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