Is this destiny?

Sarah was chatting happily with JoAnna and Ellie when she saw that Jarred is beckoning for her to come over.

She understood that he wants them to talk in private, and she followed after him, toward the garden.

"What's up, old man?", Sarah asked when they were out of the earshot of other guests.

"I want to thank you for taking good care of Corey. I am aware that the skills he showed in the fighting ring are thanks to the training you provided.", Jarred said.

Sarah smiled, amused that Jarred didn't mention how Victor was beaten brutally. "You should thank Aiden because he is working with boys. And those wicked kicks are from Aiden's repertoire. I am more of a fist person."

"Aright. I will thank him as well."

"I assume that you didn't call me here only to thank me because I allowed Corey to train at our home."

Sarah hoped that Jarred got some new weapon or a gadget that he wants to sell. They are always interested in upgrading their current arsenal.

Sarah never spoke openly about the Army of Chaos with Jarred, but considering how many orders she placed so far, Jarred is definitely aware that there is some force involved because Sarah's appetite for military-grade equipment is insatiable.

Jarred wanted to take a roundabout way and ease Sarah into the topic, but since she asked… "Some of my associates want to meet with you."

Sarah was surprised by this request. She knew that Jarred has people he collaborates with, but she always dealt with Jarred directly and he assured her that her identity as a buyer will remain secret, yet now he wants to introduce her to someone. "Oh? What for?"

"You will find out when you meet with them."

Sarah frowned. "What's with the secrecy?"

Jarred shrugged, indicating that it's not a big deal. "They want to be the ones to discuss it."

It sounded like someone wants to do business with her and is using Jarred as the middleman. Sarah understood that it must be an important force if Jarred is willing to do this for them. She assumed that someone wants to approach the Army of Chaos, and they got rejected in the past, so now they hope that her relationship with Jarred will ease her into that collaboration (whatever it was).

Sarah would not think much about it if Jarred was not fidgety. His expression was cool, but readings on Eve-lens told Sarah that he was nervous. She didn't want to reject him, but that didn't mean that she will accept either. "OK. You know the number. Let them call Oni and schedule a meeting."

Jarred didn't like the idea of scheduling a meeting. Is she refusing? "Can you do it next week?"

Sarah didn't want to commit to anything. "No promises. I need to confirm if my and Aiden's schedules are clear. Oni will help with that."

"They want to meet only with you."

Sarah's eyes flashed. What is this nonsense that Aiden can't attend the meeting? "I am not going anywhere without Aiden."

"You will gain a lot."

Sarah realized that he is luring her into something. "A lot of what? Money? Diamonds? Guns? Houses? What can they offer to move me?"

Jarred's expression didn't crack. "You will find out when you meet with them."

"I must admit that I am curious. But still… give them Oni's number." Sarah winked and spun on her heel before going back to watch the matches. She didn't want to think about this sketchy meeting that Jarred mentioned.

By now, the floor of the ring should be cleaned, and Jeff's and Charlie's spar will start. She didn't want to miss it.

Ah, she wanted to participate. Sarah noticed that no one dared to challenge Aiden. She would challenge him, only if she is not pregnant.

…

Sarah thought that Jeff and Charlie will be in the ring, but she saw them confronting a middle-aged couple.

Based on their expressions, and the fact that Aiden, Steve, Gabriel, and Jasper were there, she saw that it's not good.

"Mrs. Miller, this was a spar, and both sides were aware of the risks.", Charlie said to the woman. "I hope that you will not bring up lawyers and lawsuits again, because every person here will be the witness of what happened here. If you were concerned about injuries, you were supposed to do that before the match started, and probably prevent your son from challenging Corey. Now, I recommend that you accompany your son to the hospital."

The woman pressed her lips into a line, she was obviously not willing to let this go. "How could I stop him from entering the ring? I was not aware that the outcome will be so… gruesome. Victor got in for a friendly spar and got crippled. We demand compensation!", she said frantically.

Emma joined the group. She was listening from the side, but since Charlie is facing off mother-father duo, she needed to support her husband. "Your son is not a child.", Emma said when she stood next to Charlie. "If you are insinuating that he is not capable of making his own decisions, then you were not supposed to leave him unattended."

Mrs. Miller looked at Emma with a frown. "When you become a mother, you will understand."

"I don't need to be a mother to know that instead of arguing here about a lawsuit and demanding compensation, a mother should go and check on her child."

Mr. Miller cleared his throat. "You are right, Mrs. Smith. We got carried away. We are going to check on Victor, and we will be in touch."

Emma snorted. "I hope you don't get carried away and contact the press. If we suspect that you are trying to spin this out of proportion in order to extort benefits, we will be in touch with you."

Mrs. Miller wanted to argue, but her husband tugged her to the side, and they walked away.

Charlie looked at Emma and smiled. His wife is fierce and amazing.

He leaned closer and pecked her lips. "You should sit and don't get yourself in the conflicts."

Before Emma could respond, Angelo showed up. "I will make sure she sits tight until you are done with your spar."

Emma shook her head in protest, but she allowed Angelo to take her back to where the chairs were.

Emma was glad that Angelo stayed with her because she wanted to talk to him.

"Dad, I want to visit your home."

Angelo was surprised. "In Sicily?"

"Mhm…", Emma confirmed with a hum, and Angelo smiled happily.

"Sure. When do you want to come?" He assumed after the baby is born.

"How about next week?" She saw that Angelo frowned a bit, and she asked: "Is the timing bad? Or am I not welcome?"

"No, no…", Angelo said with urgency. "It's just that…", he paused and gestured toward her belly.

Emma rubbed her belly. "It's fine. I will take Charlie's jet, and the trip will not be strenuous."

"Is there a reason why this can't wait until after the baby is born?", Angelo asked suspiciously.

"I was thinking that soon I will be a mother, yet I still don't know much about my father. I am barely going to work, and mostly sitting at home, so it's boring. This can be like a little vacation and you can show me the family you have in Sicily."

Angelo's eyes widened. "You want to meet with people from…?", he didn't finish the sentence because too many people might be eavesdropping, but he knew that Emma would understand that he was talking about Nero Armi.

Emma nodded in confirmation. "They are part of your life, right? Show me how you live. I want to know what you do and with whom you interact. I'm confident that they are impressive characters. Do you think they will like me?"

Angelo laughed. "What is there not to like? What day do you want to go? Of course, I'm coming with you. Maybe Lisa will join us…"

Angelo had a feeling that Emma's sudden interest in Sicily and Nero Armi goes beyond her curiosity about his life, but he didn't care. This was the first time that Emma showed initiative to find out about his world, and he was more than happy to show her around.

In Corey's room…

As soon as the door closed, Corey pinned Merve against it and kissed her desperately.

Merve could feel the turbulence of Corey's emotions, and she didn't quite understand the reason, but she was aware that he needed to feel her in order to calm down because she is his home, just how he is hers.

Corey's body pressed against Merve and with his arms around her, Corey engulfed her completely.

After an unknown measure of time, Corey inched a fraction and they both panted heavily.

"Better?", Merve asked.

Corey smiled. "A little bit. I will need more of those. A lot more."

"Take as many as you want. I have an unlimited supply."

"Reeeaaaally?", he drawled.

"Mhm…", Merve hummed in confirmation. "And when you say that you had enough, I will give you a few bonus kisses."

"I will never have enough of you."

Merve rested her forearms on Corey's shoulders while playing with his locks at the back of his head. "Well then, Mr. Smith, you are in luck because I'm not going anywhere."

"I love you, Merve."

"I love you too."

"I want us to always be together.", he declared.

Merve smiled. "That sounds wonderful."

"Marry me."

Merve gulped a mouthful of air, unsure if her ears malfunctioned. "What?"

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