Chapter 84 *

Chapter 84 Chapter 84
Angelina’s POV
The next three days in Casper passed in a blur of meetings, paperwork, and reorganization.
Creek Pack's leadership had completely changed their attitude toward me. After Caelan and Rowan showed up at Silver Fang Casino, suddenly everyone was treating me like I was royalty.
Patrick, who'd challenged me on the first night, now jumped to follow every order I gave. The other senior members were the same. Careful. Almost afraid.
It was because of Evergreen Pack. Because everyone now thought I had their backing.
On the morning of our departure, I was in the Silver Fang's executive office reviewing final reports when Daniel walked in.
"Aria," he said, grinning. "Got a minute?"
I looked up from the spreadsheets. "What?"
He sat down across from my desk without waiting for permission. "I just wanted to say thank you. For everything."
"You already paid me."
"I know, but still." Daniel leaned back in his chair. "When my father asked me to come to Casper, he told me to bring you as my bodyguard. Just to keep me safe, you know? Make sure nothing bad happened."
"And?"
"And look what actually happened." He laughed. "The guy we were supposed to watch out for? Cory? You killed him. Then you took over his entire Pack. And now I'm sitting here in his casino like I own the place, getting treated like some VIP guest."
Daniel shook his head. "We've been eating good food, sleeping in nice rooms, getting whatever we want for three days. This was supposed to be a dangerous trip. Instead, it's been like a vacation."
"Your point?"
"My point is, you're way more than just a bodyguard. You're..." He paused, searching for words. "You're something else entirely. I can't wait to tell my father and Uncle Robert what you did here."
I closed the folder in front of me. "Tell them whatever you want. Are you packed?"
"Yeah, all ready." He stood up. "When are we leaving?"
"In an hour. Meet me in the lobby."
Daniel nodded and left.
I finished reviewing the last few documents, signed off on some transfers, and sent final instructions to Patrick via email. Creek Pack would be fine without me for now. They knew what to do.
An hour later, I walked into the hotel lobby with my duffel bag.
Daniel was already there, sitting on one of the fancy couches and scrolling through his phone. When he saw me, he stood up.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yeah."
Then I heard voices behind me.
"Aria! Wait!"
I turned around.
Savannah was running across the lobby, her grandfather Franklin walking calmly behind her.
Savannah grabbed my hand with both of hers. "You're leaving already?"
"Yes."
Her face fell. "But I wanted to spend more time with you! We barely got to hang out!"
"You hung out with me yesterday," I pointed out. "For six hours."
"That wasn't enough!" She squeezed my hand tighter. "Can't you stay one more day? Please?"
Franklin cleared his throat gently. "Savannah, dear, Miss Aria has her own life to return to. You can't keep her here forever."
"But I don't want her to go!" Savannah's eyes were actually getting watery. "When am I going to see her again?"
Franklin smiled at me. "Actually, I've been thinking about that. Savannah has been asking to visit California for months now. Perhaps during her winter break, I could arrange for her to spend a few days in your area? If that's acceptable to you, of course."
I looked at Savannah. She was staring at me with hopeful eyes.
"Sure," I said. "You can visit."
Savannah's entire face lit up. "Really?! Oh my god, yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
She threw her arms around me in a tight hug. I stood there awkwardly for a second, then patted her back.
"Okay. You can let go now."
She pulled back, grinning. "This is going to be amazing! We can go shopping, and try all the California food, and go to the beach, and—"
"Savannah," Franklin interrupted gently. "Let's discuss the details later. Miss Aria needs to catch her flight."
Savannah nodded enthusiastically. "Right, right. You should go! Don't miss your plane! We can hang out in California!"
The complete one-eighty from "don't leave" to "get out of here" was almost funny.
"Sure," I said.
Franklin extended his hand. "Thank you for everything you've done here, Miss Aria. Creek Pack is already showing improvement under your management. I look forward to our continued partnership."
I shook his hand. "I'll send monthly reports."
"Excellent."
I turned to leave, Daniel falling into step beside me.
"Bye, Aria!" Savannah called out. "Text me when you land!"
I raised my hand in acknowledgment but didn't look back.
As we walked toward the exit, I noticed Caelan standing near the front doors. Of course he was here. He'd been staying at a different hotel, but somehow he always knew where I was going to be.
Rowan wasn't with him. He'd left yesterday to handle some Evergreen Pack business.
Caelan was wearing another perfectly tailored suit. Dark blue this time. His eyes locked on me as we approached.
"Ready?" he asked.
"I didn't invite you," I said.
"I'm coming anyway."
Daniel looked between us nervously. "Um, should I... give you two a minute?"
"No," I said at the same time Caelan said, "Yes."
Daniel stayed frozen in place, unsure who to listen to.
I walked past Caelan toward the doors. "Let's just go. The car's waiting."
The ride to the airport was exactly as uncomfortable as I'd expected.
Daniel, Caelan, and I sat in the back of a black SUV. Daniel had somehow ended up in the middle seat between us.
He looked miserable.
I stared out the window, watching Casper's streets pass by. Caelan sat on the other side, his presence impossible to ignore even though I wasn't looking at him.
Daniel cleared his throat. "So, uh... nice weather today, right?"
Neither of us responded.
"Kind of cloudy though. Might rain later. Or maybe not. Hard to tell with Wyoming weather, you know? It's so unpredictable and—"
"Daniel," I said quietly. "Stop talking."
"Right. Yeah. Sorry."
The silence returned.
The tension in the car was suffocating. Daniel shifted in his seat every thirty seconds, like he couldn't get comfortable. At one point, he pulled out his phone and started scrolling through it desperately, probably just trying to have something to do.
We reached the airport twenty minutes later. I got out of the car before it fully stopped.
The flight back to California was worse.
First class meant we had more space, but it also meant fewer distractions. Just three seats in our row. Caelan by the window. Daniel in the middle. Me on the aisle.
The flight attendant came by with drinks. "What can I get you?"
"Water," I said.
"Same," Caelan said.
"Uh, I'll take a Coke," Daniel said. "Actually, make it a double whiskey. No, wait—I'm twenty-three, that's legal, right? Yeah, double whiskey please."
The flight attendant smiled. "Of course, sir."
After she left, Daniel muttered, "I need alcohol for this."
I almost agreed with him.
Two hours into the flight, I pulled out my phone and put in earbuds. Played music loud enough to drown out my thoughts.
Daniel had given up on making conversation. He'd reclined his seat and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
The plane finally landed at San Francisco International Airport around four PM.
I grabbed my bag from the overhead compartment and headed for the exit without waiting for anyone.
Daniel caught up to me at baggage claim. "Hey, so... my car's in long-term parking. Do you need a ride home?"
"No. I'll get an Uber."