Chapter 13: Chapter XIII
The morning sunshine crept in through the sheer curtains, casting a golden ray over the sleek California penthouse. Ariana blinked awake slowly, briefly disoriented by the unfamiliar softness of the bed, the ocean view beyond the windows and the faint hum of silence.
She sat up, drawing the comforter around herself. Her heart still felt heavy from the night before—the confrontation, Callum’s explanation and the distance between them she wasn’t sure how to mend.
She walked barefoot into the main living room, expecting to find him nursing a coffee or scrolling through emails like he usually did in the morning. But the space was empty.
Too quiet.
Her brows knit. He wasn’t home.
She proceeded to make herself a steaming cup of coffee even though wine would have been alot more ideal to take her mind off the chaos that she had going on.
.......................................
The warehouse smelled stale with dust and the air full with secrets.
Callum stepped inside, his boots echoing on the concrete floor as the heavy metal door clanged shut behind him. Julian was already there—leaning against a crate, arms crossed, jaw tight.
“They moved earlier than we expected,” Julian said without preamble. “Five of our shipments were flagged at the port. Customs seized them. They contain a bulk of the supplies we need at the club.”
Callum swore, low and sharp. “I thought we had that settled already?”
“We did. The only explanation is that someone snitched.”
Callum rubbed the bridge of his nose, tension coiling beneath his skin. The last thing he needed was disloyalty from within his own camp especially when his personal life was already spinning out of control.
“Do you have any idea who it could be?”
Julian pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and turned it to face him. A grainy surveillance footage showed one of their trusted guys—Lewis. The one who swore loyalty, who’d been with the Guerreros for years.
“Two meetings with Prestley’s crew,” Julian added grimly. “Just a few nights before the shipments were supposed to arrive. I believe in those meetings he must have given intel that tipped them off about the shipment that was coming. I'm going to teach that bastard a hard lesson on betrayal and it's consequences.”
Callum’s jaw tensed. Prestley—another name he was tired of hearing. Milanna’s father. A man who played clean in public but trafficked drugs and dirty deals in the shadows.
“They’re trying to set us up.” Callum muttered. “Make me look weak. Unfocused. I’m sure Milanna had a hand in the debacle that occurred at the gala.”
Julian nodded. “She certainly did. I have someone tracking down that stupid reporter as we speak. We’ll get some answers. Your girl’s already in the headlines. If they smell blood…”
Callum didn’t let him finish. “Take care of Lewis. Quietly. And make sure none of this touches Ariana.”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure about this? Because these people are going to want to use her as leverage. They never seen you with anyone so I’m sure this would peak their interest.”
“She’s already in.” Callum’s voice was cold steel. “And anyone who tries to use her against me will regret it.”
He turned toward the exit, pulling out his phone. No messages from her.
He hated that silence more than the threat of a war.
As he climbed into the backseat of the waiting car, the driver asked, “Back to the penthouse, sir?”
Callum paused. “Yes.”
If Ariana wanted space, he’d give it to her. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t still protecting her.
Especially now.
.........................................................
The penthouse elevator swung open just after noon, and Ariana looked up from where she sat curled on the couch, a book in her lap she hadn’t really been reading.
Callum walked in, dressed down from his earlier meeting, the sharp lines of his suit jacket were exchanged for a black tightly fitted hoodie and matching black slacks. He looked good— dangerously good. The outfit hugged all the right places but it was the softened edge to his expression that caught her attention.
“I was hoping you’d still be here,” he said, removing his coat. “Didn’t want you running away.”
“I wasn’t planning on running. I have a deal to uphold remember.” she replied automatically, though the crease in her brow gave her away.
He smiled. Just a little. “Can I take you to lunch?.”
She blinked. “Lunch?”
“Yes lunch. Outside. Normal people food. Sunshine. Beautiful scenery. My treat.”
Ariana narrowed her eyes. “Is this meant to be some sort of bribe or are you trying to call a truce?”
Callum walked over, leaned against the arm of the couch, and met her gaze. “It’s an attempt. To do better. With you.”
That earned a small flutter in her chest. She closed the book and stood. “Sure then let me get ready so we can go before I overthink it and change my mind.”