Page 16 of Wicked Union

"You're certain?" I ask, but I know he is.

"Positive…"

"Then deal with it, hard and fast. We don't have time to deal with snakes lurking in the grass." I hang up knowing my orders will be followed. If he's caught, there may be fallout, but I’m prepared to deal with that now. After all, I have a firm contract and I hold the purse strings now.

13

ARIA

Tito's staff prepared the food and coffee for my brunch, but I order them away before Mom and Melody arrive at the door. I answer it myself and feel overwhelmed with emotion as they step into his ultra-modern home. Melody is wowed. I can see it in her expression. But Mom's only focus is on my face, which holds a broad and genuine smile. I'm so happy to see them.

"Mia cara," Mom purrs as she wraps me in her arms. Melody steps into the entryway and shuts the door behind herself, waiting for her chance to hug me. When Mom finally lets go, I squeeze my younger sister's scrawny body in my arms.

"Gosh, I miss girl talks," I tell her, and she snickers.

"You can tell me all the details when Mom uses the toilet." She holds me back and looks into my eyes. "You look happy."

"To see you…" I pull away, not wanting my true emotion to well up and burst out. I've been more tired than usual, and it's beginning to make me emotional at times. I take her hand andpull her deeper into the house. "Come on, I have things set up out back."

Mom follows behind us as we weave down the hallway through the dining room, into the kitchen, and out through the back door. The sun beats down on the patio, but the large umbrella shades the table and food spread on it, offering enough break from the sun to shelter our conversation too.

"Oh, Aria, this looks so delicious. Mr. Ramiro's staff have done a fabulous job." Mom pulls out a chair and sits, placing her purse on her lap as she reaches for the lid of one of the trays laid out. I agree with her. I couldn't have done it better myself. Just looking at the colorful spread makes my stomach rumble and turn.

Melody chooses to sit next to Mom with me across from them. We chat about the beautiful weather as we load our plates down with fruits and brioche. The tiny puff pastries are topped with sliced strawberries, and they even put juice and coffee out. I am hungrier than I thought I was, so much so that I feel a little nauseous.

"So, you've been married for a month now. Is it as bad as you thought?" Melody breaks the ice with the hard questions, but I've prepared my answer ahead of time.

When we first discussed the arrangement six weeks ago, I had so many emotions about it. Emotions I wasn't able to hide well or put away, except in my father's presence. Mom and Melody tried hard to console me, but it was impossible not to complain and let them know how much I hated what was happening. Now, a month into the agreement, I've managed to make peace with it, but only because I know it will be short lived and I will emerge a victor.

"It's exactly as Mom said." Putting a slice of pineapple into my mouth, I chew carefully but give them an expression of calm surrender. After swallowing, I say, "In time, things will grow and change, maybe to respect and fondness. We'll see."

Melody snickers as she chews and Mom looks at her with curiosity. "What are you laughing at?"

"What she means to say is that the sex is bangin'." My younger sister has to hide her chuckles behind a hand when Mom glares at her. My cheeks start to burn, and I shove more pineapple into my mouth to hide my embarrassment. That's the sort of topic we'd discuss when Mom uses the facilities, not while she's sitting here.

"Melody Anne Peralta, that's enough of that." Mom scolds her and then changes the subject. "Dear, I'm so proud of you for seeing this through. I just knew you'd settle in after a while and see that it isn't as bad as you think. Mr. Ramiro is such a wonderful man. I've heard such good things about him. I imagine his son is just as incredible." She picks up her coffee and sips it, then scrunches her nose and sets it back down. I watch her doctor it up and decide it's time to change the subject to something I'm more interested in.

"How is Dad doing? The business?" The entire point of my marrying Tito is so he will help my father fix what's been going wrong in their financial situation. I want to know how that's going, whether Tito is upholding his end of the bargain. After overhearing how he plans to move in on Dad's territory, I'm not convinced this was the best idea.

"Oh, honey, it's so good." Mom stirs the doctored coffee and smiles so politely you'd think she was a nun. She really is good at adapting to whatever circumstance she's been put in. No wonderher marriage to my father turned out to be such a success. "Tito has made so many positive changes already, and things are really turning around. Your father is finally at peace, though Jasper doesn’t seem to be taking it quite so well." She sighs. "But he'll come around too."

Positive changes? Tito is making changes now, not just giving Dad money? I didn’t know this was a thing, which means he has to have gone to my father to make more arrangements behind my back. My insides are raging but my exterior remains calm. It has to. I can't let Mom see how upset I am. I know she'll only report back to Dad, and he'll come snooping around. I need him to see me as happy and willing. I can't make his heart ache any more than it already does.

"Changes?" I ask as I spread a pat of butter on a slice of bread.

"Oh, yes, dear. Tito and your father are merging everything. We've already brought back half the staff we laid off previously, and when we get a month or so more under our belt, we're certain things will be flourishing again. In one year's time, we believe we can separate from the Ramiro family and be self-sustaining."

Mom sounds so assured of everything, and Melody looks content enough, but I see the apprehension in her eyes too. I feel the need to warn them, but Mom only sees the world through rose-colored lenses. When things are good she only sees the good, and when things are bad, she only sees the potential for change. Inwardly, I groan and take a bite of my toast and wish I could fade into thin air and hover over Tito right now, see what he's plotting next.

The back door opens and Carlos walks out. He has a thermos in his hand and a scowl on his face. Mom and Melody look up athim, and Melody blushes. I can see she thinks he's attractive, but he's a married man and she has no chance.

"Aria, can we talk?" he asks, and though I'm enjoying brunch with my family, I welcome the excuse to step away before my inner thoughts come out and give away my bitterness toward this whole situation.

"I'll be right back," I tell them, standing and leaving my napkin on the table. I follow Carlos into the house through the back door and down the hall into the kitchen. I don’t know what he wants, but I hope to God he's decided to listen to me and help me. If Tito merged everything with Dad's businesses, it's only a matter of time before he sinks them and takes over.

"What is it?" I ask him the instant we're in the dining room, far enough away from either end of the house where no one can hear us unless they're standing right outside the door.

Carlos walks over and glances in the hallway, then turns and slurps from his coffee thermos. "I'm in. Tell me what to do." His thick brows nearly touch in the middle, his expression so stern it's scary.

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