Page 39 of Siren

“No. Not like that.” Garrick answered before she could.

“What’s happening? Why does everyone care so much about a perfume company?” As the words slid from her tongue, she realized what a fool she’d been. This couldn’t be about perfume. There was something more sinister happening, and she was the only one in the room who didn’t know it.

“Ursa Poseidon.” Ash, the man with the scar she assumed, pulled out his phone and started tapping away. “I’ve heard the name.”

Peter kept his stern eyes fixated on her.

“She doesn’t know.” Bastian stepped away from her. “She only knows about Ursa’s legitimate businesses and that’s how Ursa got her to come down here. As far as Ariella knew, she was collecting perfume samples for her aunt.”

“What did he give you?” Peter asked, keeping his voice taunt.

“I have it,” Garrick answered. “And once I’m done looking through it, I’ll let you know.”

“Garrick.” Jackson shook his head. “Let’s just look at it.”

“No.” Garrick’s denial hit the ground like a hammer. “None of this concerns any of you. Once Bastian and I look it over, we will let you know.”

“Concerns us?” Peter’s eyes narrowed.

“Daniel will get back to me with more details, but it looks like Ursa has a connection to Beatrix.” Ash put his phone on the desk.

“Who is Beatrix?” Ariella asked and earned a hot stare from Garrick for it. But enough was enough. Everyone was having a conversation that she was the center of, but she had no idea what they were discussing.

She pushed past Garrick to the desk and leaned over toward Ash.

“Who is Beatrix, and what does her connection to my aunt matter?”

“You really haven’t told her?” Peter asked, glancing at Garrick.

Ash studied her for a long moment.

“Your Aunt Ursa doesn’t just sell perfumes,” Ash said.

“She’s doing illegal things.”

“Yes.” Ash nodded, sending a look to Bastian. “But I’m going to let Bastian and Garrick explain all of that to you.”

“Just tell me.” She urged him but he shook his head.

“I have a feeling there’s a lot that needs to be said between you three.” His lips kicked at the edges. “Do you want to take her next door, or will you take her home?” He asked Garrick.

“Next door? What’s next door?” She spun around.

“Home,” Bastian said, and Garrick nodded.

“Wait. No. I don’t want to go yet.” She hurried around the desk, tugging on Ash’s arm. “Listen to me. Just tell me what’s going on.”

“We’re taking her home. Once I go over what Ares gave her, I’ll call you.” Garrick marched at her.

She swallowed hard, raised her chin, ready to defend herself. But before she could manage a single breath, he threw his shoulder into her stomach and hauled her up over his shoulder.

“Wait!” She finally found her voice, but it was too late. He carried her from the room and was halfway down the hall. She pushed her hands against his back to look for Bastian. He looked no less angry than Garrick had. Down the hall, through the broken door of Ash’s office, she saw Ashland and Peter watching her being carried away with appreciative grins.

Bastards! All of them!

“Let me down.” She demanded, but he only readjusted his grip on her waist, jostling her against his shoulder.

“The trunk,” Garrick stated as he walked down the front steps of the house. The sunlight blinded her. She was still upside down but could see the car approaching them. Or they were getting closer to it.

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