Falling Apart (GANG Series)

Chapter 26

Jacob's POV

      I pull up my pants and zip them up, turning back to my duffel to pull out a fresh shirt. I'm startled when the bedroom is unexpectedly open.

"Oh my god. Jacob I'm so sorry. Could you watch Andres for a moment? I have a meeting in less then two minutes." Her voice is rushed and stressed.

Not as troubled as I feel right now about watching a baby. What the actual fuck. I quickly slip on my shirt.

"Uh, where's Aria?" I called her like twice but it went to voicemail.

"She went to go get our breakfast. Should be back in a couple minutes." She's making that pillow square and putting her son in the center. "He's asleep. All you have to do is make sure he stays alive. Okay, thank you." She rushes out supersonic like.

Yeah . . . I wish I stayed in New York. At least he's asleep. I look over at him, all bundled up. Dinosaurs seem to be his trademark. I sit down on the bed to put on my socks. My phone begins to ring. Shit. I answer the call as I look at Aria's brother to make sure he's still deep asleep.

"What is it?"

"Looks like California made you more of an asshole." Jace snidely remarks.

"Just say it. I know you're not calling to ask about the weather." I roll my eyes.

"Well, when the fuck are you coming back? I've got to go to Japan in a couple days and you'll be in charge for the meantime."

"I'll be back before then. Calm the fuck down."

"Watch your tone. Just so you know, it's a good thing Aria and her family have been out of town. I cant fucking believe you're with her by the way."

Me either.

"What happened?"

"Two crooks lurking around their home. Didn't take long to figure out who sent them."

"So we have to up security." I state the obvious.

"That's not enough anymore. I can't have my men be a bunch of bodyguards, J. That's why I'm not in relationship or have a family. And the people I do give a shit about know how to protect themselves. The babysitting thing is inconvenient and exhausting. Something bad happening is inevitable." He tells me like it is. "Also, guess who we found finally step back on Juilliard campus after being off the face of the earth for a while?"

"Riccardo Becker's daughter." I answer.

"We're looking towards that. We're hoping the sick fuck has at least an ounce of affection for his daughter to come for her?"

"I don't doubt it. About Aria . . ."

"I don't know what else I can do. Shit is way too fucking tense."

"What if we could cover her whole family? Cover their trail. Make them ghosts to even the most skilled."

"And her whole family is?"

"Parents. Grandparents. Only four additional people."

"Talk to Matthew."

"If you get to Tara Becker before I come back. Let me know. I'll fly back. The fucker will beg."

"Agreed." He hangs up.

In this moment, I have never been happier Aria is away from New York. I shoot Matthew a heads up text about covering for Aria's family. He's a busy man.

About five more minutes pass by before I hear the door being approached. Aria walks in wearing a sweatshirt and yoga pants. The invention are one of the best thing to happen to her legs and ass.