Aria’s POVThe implications of the invitation loomed in my mind, unshakable, as though it were something heavy pressing against my thoughts, making it impossible to think of anything else. Even as we thanked Mar for dinner and his generous gesture, a knot of apprehension sat deep in my stomach. Eve
Aria’s POVThe numbers on the sales reports blurred together as I stared at them, struggling to focus. Normally, I’d be absorbed in analyzing our team’s performance, spotting trends, and devising strategies for improvement. But today, my mind was miles away from Velvet Vibe, caught up in the decisio
Aria’s POVIt felt as if I’d stopped breathing for a moment. Not the casino again. I’d come here to escape the constant barrage of thoughts about it, to give my mind a brief reprieve. But I quickly reminded myself that, yes, Samuel and I had spoken about it before. He’d even offered to reach out to
Victor’s POV“Fabian,” I called, catching him in the hallway outside the meeting room at Velvet Vibe just as he was about to turn the corner. He stopped, turning around with a slight smile.“Oh, hey, Victor, good to see you,” he said. “How’s everything going with the collaboration?”“Moving smoothly
Victor’s POVStanding here, looking at Aria and Jessica with that fierce resolve blazing in their eyes, I realized that stopping them was no longer an option. They wanted to face this danger directly, on their own terms.“Alright,” I said finally, my voice heavy with reluctance. “But if you’re going
Aria’s POVI rang the doorbell, feeling an unexpected rush of nerves as I waited. It had been a long time since I’d been to Victor’s home, and even though I told myself it was just the thought of the training that unsettled me, I knew it was more than that.One of Victor’s staff opened the door with
Aria’s POV“Alright,” Victor said, moving closer to adjust my stance. His hands found my shoulders, gently shifting them back, and then he stepped even closer, his hands grazing down my arms to place them correctly, his body rubbing against mine at one point. Shit. “Keep your elbows in,” he murmur
Aria’s POVThe silence between us thickened, filled with all the things we hadn’t said. I could still feel the echoes of his words—I was going crazy thinking about you. The admission lingered, like a raw wound exposed, and I couldn’t look away from him, couldn’t ignore the way my heart raced, each b
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