Finding Ace (Book 3)

Chapter 20. Dysfunctional

Ace

Aria sprinted out of the bathroom; panic twisted her features. "We have to get out of here!" she screamed.

"What the fuck are you talking about, bebita?" I asked. I stood up so fast it made my head spin.

"Hey, you!" Aria screeched at the cook and the waiter as they headed back to the kitchen. "Get the fuck out of the building now!"

Aria grabbed my arm and pulled me.

"Aria!" I shouted in confusion. "What—"

"Run!" she screamed.

We made it into the lobby, and Aria yelled at the other workers to get out of the building.

"There is a bomb," Aria said.

We dashed toward the door hand in hand. Everyone ran after us. We made it out into the street.

I heard the explosion behind us as we ran across the street. I grabbed Aria and pulled her into my chest, and held her protectively.

After a moment, we turned to watch as the hotel started to collapse, and more explosions sounded as it went down. Our workers stood beside us in horror.

"Did everyone get out?" Aria choked in panic.

"Everyone's out," Theresa said and nodded. The workers trembled with fear.

"Oh, thank god," Aria breathed. She held her hand to her chest. "I can't believe this."

Sirens grew closer as we stood and watched our new hotel go up in flames.

"How did this happen, bebita?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," Aria murmured.

The fire department attempted to put the fire out. The entire hotel had collapsed and left a huge mess. Buildings that surrounded it had damage, as well.

Aria turned to me. "Someone is definitely after us. We have to get home now," she demanded.

"Aria, we can't just leave. The cops are going to want answers," I argued as she tugged on my arm.

"We have to go, Ace! We'll come back later and explain," Aria hissed. She turned to Theresa and let her know someone planted a bomb and that she should inform the police. Aria told Theresa we needed to go home and check on our family.

Aria and I rushed to the car. Once in the car, I peeled away from the hotel parking lot.

"This is fucking bad," I muttered. "Has this ever happened before?"

"No, not with a business, but with our house twice," she said.

"Our house?" I shouted and looked at her frantically.

"Yes. Go faster," she demanded.

I pushed the gas pedal to the floor, and we sped out of San Diego.

***

"Angel!" Aria called for him. We went into the living room. Angel and three of his friends sat on the couch. They were watching a movie.

Angel looked up at us in confusion. "Hey, what are you guys doing home?"

"We need to talk in the study," I said.

Angel's friends watched us curiously as we left the room.

Aria shut the study door and turned to face Angel. "The hotel exploded," Aria said.

"What?" Angel breathed in shock.

"We came home to be sure everyone was safe. We're going to have to go back later to deal with the situation. I think your friends need to go home. It's safer for them. We're under attack. I'm going to call Grandma and Grandpa to come to the house," Aria told Angel.