The meeting space where Lucien's men gathered felt like a system. Aria slowed slightly as she stepped in, her eyes adjusting to the lighting that hummed softly overhead. The far wall was dominated by screens. An entire grid of them, mounted seamlessly, stretching from one room to the other. Below the screen, a long console ran the length of the wall, lined with laptops and flat screens.
"Okay, boy, this is something else," Linda said, leaning to her slightly.
A young man sat at the main console, his fingers moved quickly across a glass surface, pulling up files, and looking at the screen.
"Show me," Lucien said as a new set of information layered across screens
"Movement confirmed at 0600," he said, "Yaro's men collected three points this morning."
"Fernando and Fernandez will go,"
Aria saw two men looked up. Not identical but close enough to know they're brothers.
"They look like twins," Linda said again.
"You will collect what we deserve from Yaro." Lucien said, turning to the men. "You know what to do."
"I'll go with them," Aria said, stepping out before thinking.
Lucien's gaze moved to her slowly, the weight in it settling without needing to be forced. "No. You will watch and learn."
"I can watch and learn by following," she said, her voice steady despite the attention from the rest of the men. "The boys will find out how I handle things."
"Fine," he said, finally, "She goes." his gaze lingered on her for a second before he turned away.
"Let me come with you," Linda said, turning to her.
"No," she replied. "You stay."
The warehouse sat at the edge of the industrial district, surrounded by rusted gates and high concrete walls stained by the years of heat and dust. The air outside carried the scent of oil and metal, thick enough to cling to the throat. Aria watched from the car, her gaze fixed to the entrance where a few armed men stood, talking lazily, their posture loose, almost careless.
"They're sloppy," she said quietly.
Fernando didn't look at her. His eyes remained on the gate, sharp, unmoving "Parecen," he murmured.
Fernandez let out a small breath beside him. "No es lo mismo," he added, shaking his head slightly.
"What?" Aria frowned.
"They look sloppy," Fernando said, "That's not the same thing."
"It's usually the ones that looks bored that shoots first," Fernandez added, "They don't think."
"I have an idea," Aria said, ignoring his last statement. "I'll distract them so you can have a clear path inside."
"No," Fernando said, turning to her. "You don't know them like we do. We should follow instructions."
"Don't worry, I know men like that," Aria replied, "They underestimate women."
"She's going to do it anyway, brother," Fernandez said, almost amused. "Let her go."
"Two minutes. If anything goes wrong-"
"You pull me out," She finished.
"Exactly. We like you alive."
She walked slowly to the gate. The men noticed her immediately, their attention snapping toward her as she approached. A man stepped forward, a slow grin spread across his face.
"Pretty woman, you lost?'
"I was looking for a tall man," Aria said, tilting her head slightly, "I have a service to offer him,"
Behind them, Fernando and his brother slipped through.
"Wrong place," the man said, their attention stayed on her long enough.
"So, you came with chaos," A voice echoed through the warehouse. Behind her, the two brothers were captured, dragged to stand in front of her. From the shadows, a man stepped forward. Tall, bald, dressed in a traditional attire that made him stand apart from the industrial decay around him.
Yaro.
"But I came prepared," he turned to the brothers, "My boys. How delightful to see you again."
"And you too, Yaro." Fernandez said.
"So, why? Why do you insist on coming with violence? I had plan to entertain you all."
"Because we don't feast, Yaro. We collect." Aria replied.
"Seize them," Yaro said as men came from everywhere.
"Trampa," Fernando said with panic in his voice.
"I agree brother," Fernandez replied, "Always a trap."
"I don't take kindly to people touching my men, Yaro." Lucien walked in like it had always been his plan. "They are worth more than your small head."
"Oh, the Debt Collector. I was wondering when you will show up."
Lucien walked to him. "I came to collect what you owe."
"And you will get it." Yaro said, "But your men didn't come in peace."
"What do you expect? Roses and ladies?"
Yaro's gaze shifted to Aria. "Talking about ladies. I see you've brought something new to your collection."
"Careful," He said quietly.
"Who knew you would stand before your father's enemy so easily? He must have been very good in bed." Yaro said, turning to Aria.
Laughter followed and she wondered if her cheeks didn't turn pink. It would add to the humiliation. Yaro watched her as his men brought heavy boxes, placing them down one after the other.
Payment.
"I'll see you around, little Vale."
By the time they arrived, she stepped out of the car, but she could feel Lucien's attention without looking at him.
"Aria, with me,"
She followed him to his office. The door closed behind them. He didn't face her immediately. "You were wrong today."
"I know," she replied, "I'm sorry for bringing an idea that almost put everyone in danger."
"That's not the problem,"
She frowned slightly. "Then what is?"
He crossed the space between them in a few steps. Before she could react, her back met the wall. It was sudden enough that she gasped. His hand came up beside her, not touching her, but close enough to trap her in place. Everything about him was clearer. The sharp line of his jaw, the stillness in his expression, the intensity in his eyes that didn't soften.
"I gave you an order," he said. "To watch and learn."
His gaze didn't leave hers. " And instead, you decided you knew better."
Aria held his stare, her pulse quickened. "My idea could have worked."
"Could have," he repeated.
He leaned in slightly, closing the distance just enough to make the air between them feel thinner. "We have a system," he said. "A way of doing things that keeps people alive."
"I know," she whispered.
"You follow my instructions and my way." He continued. "Understand?"
Her thoughts clashed. But the way he was close made her stop thinking. "Fine,"
"Good."
He stepped back, but the space between them still feel close.