Page 59 of The Truth Between

“No,” she said confidently. I didn’t have a reason to believe that she was lying.

“Did you start hanging out with me because I was hunting down information about Eddison Payne?”

“Sort of.”

Her response caused me to look at her so fast I should have gotten a case of whiplash. “So you did know about what I was doing?”

“Not fully. Parker asked me to look out for you and to see if I could piece together what you were up to. This was after we’d already met, but it was the reason why I asked to get lunch with you.”

“So if our friendship is your brother’s doing, why did you help me tonight?”

Aria spared a glance at me. “Because no one should be kidnapped and imprisoned, and I felt a little guilty about the role I played in this. For that, I do apologize, Iris.”

I nodded because I accepted her apology and didn’t plan on holding a grudge. “If your brother is one of the leaders of the Chevaliers, why couldn’t you score an invite to the party?”

Aria sighed. “I found out last minute that Parker made sure I didn’t get an invite. It’s also probably part of the reason I’m doing this too. I was pissed I didn’t get an opportunity to go, so on that account, he can fuck all the way off.”

Angry energy jumped off her, but I didn’t blame her. I couldn’t help but wonder if she wasn’t invited because Parker was trying to keep the number of potential witnesses who knew me down the night I was kidnapped.

“And you’re okay with pissing him off again by helping me?”

“Wholeheartedly. He’s done his share of pissing me off, so I’m ready to give him the same treatment. Plus, this isn’t the only reason I’m doing this.”

“What’s the other reason?”

“Oddly enough, it’s a similar reason to yours. It’s bullshit that women can’t join the organization and I did the things that Parker wanted me to do when it came to you in hopes that it would lead to a change. But it didn’t.”

I leaned back in my seat as I thought about what Aria said. Maybe I did make the right decision by letting her in on some of the things I knew, with plans for us to have a more in-depth conversation while she was driving me to New York.

This was probably going to be one of the longest drives of my life. However, I knew it was going to be therapeutic to finally tell someone all the things I’d been holding in for so long.

36

ARIA

Although I was sitting inside my car, my body had gone as cold as if I was standing in a frozen tundra as I thought about what I’d done. Saving Iris was going to directly affect my relationship with my brother Parker.

My reasons for doing it weren’t just to help her, although I couldn’t bear to see someone being held against their will. Becoming a member of the Chevaliers has been a goal of mine for years, and I was over being told no. The memories that I had came flooding back, some of the conversations that I heard that weren’t meant for me. Times when I’d overheard bits and pieces, not enough to understand what was going on, but enough to know that there was something serious happening.

The radio played softly in the background, but I barely registered the upbeat tunes. I was so caught up in my own thoughts that nothing else could get through. All I could think of was the look that would be on Parker’s face when he found out what I’d done.

I glanced over at Iris. She looked to be deep in thought too, probably wondering what would come next. We were in this together now, a hot mess of a team. But I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d just traded my family’s loyalty for a friend’s trust.

A sigh escaped my lips, and I loosened my grip on the steering wheel briefly to flex my hands. My gaze landed on New York City’s skyline, which stood tall against the night sky. More questions about why I was doing this floated to the surface. Next to me, Iris shifted in her seat, bringing me back to reality. “We’re almost there,” she said, stating the obvious.

I let out a shaky breath. “I know. And I’m not sure I’m ready for it all.”

“I’m not either, if I’m being honest.”

I carefully navigated my way through the streets of Manhattan, even though it was late enough that there was much less traffic on the road. It wasn’t long before I recognized the streets leading up to where Parker’s office and the Chevalier Headquarters were located.

Iris shifted her body as I slowed down in front of a building. “That’s the place, huh?”

I nodded, running a hand through my curly hair. “Yeah, that’s it. We’ve made it.”

“Are you ready?” Iris’s question was a loaded one.

“Nope, and yet here I am.”

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