Aria’s POVWe were both getting tired, and we needed to pause for a while. We paused, breathing rapidly. Suddenly, I heard a voice shattering the silence, calling my name. “Aria!” The booming male voice was loud and distinct, but I didn’t recognize it. All I could think about was that this man was
Aria’s POVI hesitated, my thoughts racing as I instinctively reached for the vase again, clutching it as if it were the only thing that could protect me. My gaze shifted between Pierre and the hallway stretching out behind him. My heart was pounding fast again, uncertain whether to trust him, even
Aria’s POVMy breath caught in my throat as I looked up at the man blocking my way. “Excuse me,” I managed to say, trying not to sound afraid. But the man didn’t budge. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on me, as if sizing me up, deciding what to do next. My pulse quickened, and I glanced around, ho
Victor’s POVThe gala was winding down, the ballroom slowly emptying as guests made their way to the exits. I could see my mother still chattering away animatedly. I’d long since tuned her out, though. Her incessant talk about Shane had become a relentless drone in my ears, and I was growing increas
Victor’s POV“We need to find her,” I said, half-running toward the direction that Jessica was pointing to. My mind was racing with various worst-case scenarios, and it was making me more fearful as time passed by. What if she’s hurt? What if someone had taken advantage of the chaos to harm her? Je
Victor’s POV"Stay with us, Aria. You hear me?" I urged in a trembling voice. My grip on her hand tightened, and I could feel the coolness of her skin. But she still remained unresponsive. The paramedic beside me was moving quickly, checking Aria’s vitals with a practiced efficiency that only heigh
Jessica finally caught up with me, her face pale and drawn. “Victor, what did they say? How is she?”I shook my head, unable to find the words. “They haven’t told me anything yet,” I managed to whisper. Just then, a doctor emerged from the ER, his expression grave. My heart dropped as he approached
Victor’s POV“Clear!” the doctor shouted, and I watched as Aria’s body jerked from the shock of the defibrillator. I felt as if my heart was about to explode as I leaned against a nearby wall, watching helplessly as the medical team surrounded her. The heart monitor continued its unforgiving flatli
Aria’s POVLucciano’s smile widened as he noticed the subtle shift in my expression. “Yes, you’ve found yourself an ally in me—for now. But remember, Aria, alliances are built on trust and value. I have no time for people who squander opportunities.”Victor, seated beside me, leaned forward slightly
Aria’s POVAbandoned? Shane’s no longer under anyone’s protection?Victor’s expression mirrored my disbelief, though he masked it quickly. “You’re saying Shane has been left to fend for herself?”Lucciano leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him as he studied us. “That’s precis
Victor’s POV“Right this way,” the staff member said, his tone brisk but polite as he gestured toward the elevator. I placed a hand on the small of Aria’s back, guiding her forward. Her steps were hesitant, and I could sense the tension radiating off her. My own pulse thrummed with anticipation—and
Aria’s POVThe room for the luncheon was grander than I’d imagined, an opulent space bathed in soft golden light that glinted off crystal chandeliers. Classical music played in the background, adding to the atmosphere of quiet sophistication. It felt like stepping into a different world once again—o
Aria’s POVI woke up to the late-morning sunlight streaming through the cracks in the curtains, the warmth on my face coaxing me out of a deep, dreamless sleep. For a moment, I lay still, blinking against the light.Something felt different.The weight of exhaustion was gone, replaced by a lightness
I turned, gasping for breath, and there they were—those piercing eyes again, watching me, burning through me. The shadowed figure stepped closer, towering and faceless, its voice a guttural whisper that sliced through the air: “You’ll never escape.”My chest tightened, the air around me growing heav
Aria’s POVI stretched out on my side of the bed, positioning myself as close to the edge as I could without falling off. My back was turned to the other side, the empty space where Victor would soon be. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing my body to relax even though my mind was a whirlwind of nerves.
Victor’s POVI’m so glad we’re calling it a night already. It’s been such an eventful day here at The Mirage Casino. And I’m even more glad that Samuel’s not staying with us in the suite. Samuel’s jaw visibly tightened, but he held his tongue, his composure barely intact. “I’ll call you tomorrow,”
Victor’s POVI stepped forward, my hands raised in a gesture of calm. “Troy, listen. We’re not here to hurt you, and we’re not here to force you into anything you don’t want. We just want to make a deal.”Troy’s eyes narrowed, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he glanced between us. “What kind o