The Queen Of Bad Things (Book 2)

Chapter 4. Moving

            Things were a disaster by the time we got back home from the beach house. We had to come back home early because shit was falling apart.

"We can't spend one fucking weekend away without being blown up over stupid shit," I muttered.

Luis sighed. "I'm sorry, man. What did you want me to do about it? The Cali Cartel is pissed off. According to Arturo, the artillery is complete shit. He wants the brand we were getting before."

Aria scoffed. "Oh, please. Obviously, Arturo wouldn't know what a good gun is if he was shot in the head with it."

I snickered. "I can make an exception, if you will, bebita."

"Woah, let's not get ahead of ourselves, you guys," Joey said. Joey waved a hand as if to wave the topic away. "Look, Arturo can be an asshole, but the last thing we need is more enemies. Hell, we still haven't even taken out the Aryan brothers. God only knows when the hell they will strike again. We have enough shit going on as it is. It wouldn't be wise to get in over our heads."

"Maybe we should recruit. Losing Jax and Gabriel wasn't good. Not to mention Dad is gone," Aria said. Aria plopped down in her desk chair and started to chew on a pen.

"Recruiting wouldn't be the worst idea," I agreed. "We have too much going on for the time being, though. Maybe later down the road, it would be a good idea."

"Arturo wants Aria to meet with him," Benny said. Benny crossed his arms over his chest.

"What?" I raised my eyebrows and stopped midstride.

Luis bit his lip. "I know it isn't ideal," Luis started.

"Not ideal? It's not going to fucking happen!" I snapped. "That asshole can deal with me."

"Babe, it's fine. I can—" Aria started.

"No, you can't!" The venom in my voice made everyone jump slightly. There was no way that I would allow Aria to meet with Arturo. "Did you guys forget that the bullet that killed Jax was meant for her?"

"Ace, this isn't the same thing or even the same guy. Look, I can handle him," Aria said.

"Ace, you are the one who insisted that she could handle this job. You said she could lead us. She is the boss, and that is who he wants to speak with. You knew that this type of shit would happen," Abel said. "Aria can handle it, and you know that as well as the rest of us."

"Man," Austin muttered and grimaced. "You know I hate not siding with you, but I can't on this one. They're right. Aria needs to deal with this."

I groaned and plopped down on the couch across from Aria's desk. "Fine, but you better tell them that if they try anything stupid, I will move heaven, hell, and earth to destroy them. Call the idiot and set it up," I told Luis. I need a drink — I thought to myself.

Aria grabbed my cigarettes and lighter. She rarely smoked, but it was a habit that she picked up a couple of months ago. Smoke rolled out of her mouth.

The boys left Aria and me alone in the study. The door closed with a soft thud.

"Ace, I'll be okay," Aria said.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "You fucking better be. What the hell do you expect me to do if you aren't? It's never good to take the chairman to these meetings. So many chairmen have died because of meetings like this."