✧*̥˚RISK TAKERS *̥˚✧ J.M 3

017

┊͙✧˖*°࿐
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad
The Smiths

Aria leaned on JJ's shoulder, her throat dry as she couldn't bare to be an inch from him, he leaned up, her head sitting up as she kept a hand on his thigh.

"Top. Top." JJ knuckled his shoulder softly. "Turn here!"

"Don't touch the driver." Topper lifted his palm, clear panic in his voice as displayed on his features.

Everyone began to bicker, Aria groaning as she shifted, the five sitting on top of each other. Topper, annoyed, slammed on his accelerator after the Pogues complaints, so caught up in pleading them, he didn't see the speed bump.

The truck flew up, hitting the ground harshly as the box slid out from the bed of the vehicle, sliding onto the ground.

"Stop. Stop. We lost the cross." Pope grunted as the truck stopped, he fiddled with the handle as he pushed the door open, rushing to the box.

Everyone exited the vehicle as they gathered around the cross, shaking their heads will annoyance from one another.

Pope slid the top off, halting as he ran his eyes over the inside of the box. Three tires filled with ash.

Aria parted her lips. "What the hell?"

Pope shook his head. "It's fake. It's all freaking fake." He kneeled, examining the inside of the box.

JJ took his hat off, brushing a hand through his hair as he sighed. "Of course we stole a fake." He grabbed his hat before putting it back on, shaking his head.

Aria swallowed, placing a hand on his shoulder with guilt. "Pope, I'm so sorry. I should've known."

Their moments of agony and distraught were caught off by sirens in the distance. Topper threw his hands up. "Y'all hear that? Okay, I can't be here. My grandfather is a judge."

"Dog, will you relax?" JJ turned to him with frustration, scanning the boys appearance. "They're not gonna think some dude in flip-flops was apart of a robbery."

"Oh yeah, with the crate sitting right next to my truck." Topper shot back as he glanced down at his shoes then back up to JJ.

Aria ran her hands over her face as he squeezed Popes shoulder as he still knelt. "Pope, we gotta go." She climbed into the truck as Cleo talked to the boy, urging him off the street as she nearly dragged him into the vehicle.

The car ride was silent as Topper pulled the car into park, stopping at the Chateau. The Pogues climbed out as they thanked Topper, piling into their friend's home as he was absent.

Aria sprawled out on the couch, feeling it dip as someone sat beside her. She leaned up, brushing her hair from her face as she flickered her tired eyes between his.

"Hey." She hummed, sitting so her back met the couch. "What's wrong?"

JJ grabbed her legs, throwing them over his. "I'm sorry that I scared you. I wasn't even thinking. I didn't know that was gonna happen."

"You saved our asses." Aria shrugged, staring at his side profile. "Was I scared shitless? Yes. I don't think my world ever stopped like that. I didn't even know what to do. If you were really..."

"You're never gonna have to worry like that." JJ cut her off before she could finish, lightly grabbing her chin. "I'm never gonna leave you, Aria. I promise you."

Aria nodded into his touch, leaning forwards to graze his lips with her own. He grabbed her hips, bringing her body on top of his as he kissed her passionately.

She hummed into his lips as his hands maneuvered over her body, his cold rings made her shiver as his hand went underneath her shift, her skin smooth beneath his thumb.

"Oh, Jesus!" Pope slammed into the wall, shutting his eyes as Arias top was lifted.

JJ was quick to bring her shirt down, holding her against his chest as she chuckled with embarrassment. "Uh, Pope. Excuse you."

"No, excuse you." Pope shot back, opening his eyes. "This is the living room. You know that, right? Like, anyone could walk in."

"Go away." JJ waved his hand, rolling his eyes as he leaned his head against Aria. The smell of shampoo filling his nose as he brought a hand to play with the damp strands. "Sorry."

Aria shook her head with a shrug as she slid off of him, the two laying comfortably as her back was to his bare chest.

"I love you, Ari." JJ rubbed his finger on her stomach, tracing circles. She flipped around to face him, holding him close to her as she brought her hand to his cheek.

"I love you more, JJ." She smiled, kissing him softly as they laid, their eyes shutting as the weight of tonight ushered them both to bed.

Aria stirred, waking up to the sound of voices outside. She smoothed her hand over his abs, her touch making him flex as he opened his eyes. "Sup?"

"Wake up." She rolled her eyes, throwing her legs over the couch as she stumbled to the kitchen, her eyes landing on John B. "Hey!"

He turned his head at the sound of her voice, smiling at her as he hugged her. "Hey, Ari. Sleep well?"

"Sure did." Aria nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. "How is everything? You good?"

"Better than ever." John B reassured her, slinging an arm around her as he led her to the front. She furrowed her brows as the couch was unacquainted,
opening the screen door.

JJ was lifted off the ground, in the arms of a man. The two hugging tightly. The sound of the door shutting drew their attention.

Once JJ was back on the ground, he rushed over to his girlfriend, hugging her waist, eager to introduce her. "Big John, this is my girlfriend."

"Aria." She stuck her hand out as he man took it.

"Big John. I'm John B's father." He said proudly, winking at his son.

Aria smiled largely, holding JJ's wrist. "We've heard so much about you. It's really good to finally meet you."

"Thank you." Big John nodded towards her. "Hm, I've never seen you around, I must admit you look familiar. Are you a Pogue?"

"She's a Kook." John B answered for her, walking down the steps, beer in hand. "But she's like Sarah. Pogue at heart."

Big John hummed with a nod. "Aria what?"

"Campbell." Aria kept her lips in a flat line, her expression dying as she watched her friend's father scowl, going pale.

"As in...Victor Campbell." Big John swallowed. "And you trust her? Does she know about everything, son? Are you stupid?"

Aria furrowed her brows, laughing in disbelief. "Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, you can't be that foolish." Big John shook his head, his eyes snapping towards JJ. "Oh, JJ. She's got you caught right in her trap. She's using you, all of you. Her and that Cameron boy."

"You're wrong." JJ defended, dropping his arms as she stood to the side of her. "She's nothing like any of them. She's like Sarah."

John B shot Aria an apologetic look. "Dad, trust me. She's gotten us this far. You don't know half of the shit she's risked to help us. She's nothing like him."

"I'm sorry." Aria shrugged. "I can't choose who my family is. I know they've done horrible things to you along with Ward but I'm not like them. I'm on their side." She gestured towards the Pogues around her. "You have to understand."

Big John lifted his hand. "I'm sorry. It's just hard for me to be trusting with Kooks. My apologies."

Aria simply nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I'm gonna go grab a beer."

i hate him