Victor’s POVI straightened, keeping my eyes fixed on a group of well-dressed men and women clustered around the bar. Their laughter was loud, carefree, the kind of confidence that only came with serious wealth—or the illusion of it. Among them was a familiar face, someone I recognized from business
Aria’s POVSamuel, Drake, and I made our way through the narrow hallway leading out from the trading area, footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floor. We were almost at the exit when a staff member in a sharp black suit stepped into our path. “Excuse me, sir,” he said, addressing Samuel. “It’
Aria’s POVThe staff member stood there, giving me a slightly puzzled look.“Oh, I… got a bit lost,” I said, giving him a tight smile. “I thought this was, uh, the bathroom. Then the door locked behind me.”The man glanced over my shoulder, scanning the room briefly before nodding. “The storage room
Aria’s POVAs we all piled into the suite, I found myself walking behind with Victor while the others moved toward the living area. Samuel had taken up a spot on the arm of the sofa, casually chatting with Jessica and Fabian, but every now and then, I noticed his gaze flickering my way, looking wary
Aria’s POVA knock sounded on the bedroom door, and I froze, my hands fumbling with the zipper of the red satin dress I’d picked up earlier. “Come in,” I called, tugging at the zipper again, hoping it would cooperate.Victor stepped into the room, but he stopped short when he saw me. His gaze swept
Aria’s POVVictor and Samuel exchanged a brief, competitive glance before heading to the poker tables. They were focused, their expressions almost identical. I could tell they were both dead set on winning, though for different reasons. Victor’s eyes held a hint of protectiveness, as if his sole goa
Aria’s POVThe final round was grueling. Chips exchanged hands, and I saw Victor’s jaw tighten with each loss. His face, though carefully composed, betrayed a growing frustration as he finally laid down his cards. His hand wasn’t enough. He’d lost.Across the room, Samuel held his cards close, eyes
Aria’s POVI watched carefully as Shane made her way toward the center, her gown catching the dim light and shimmering like liquid gold. She exuded an air of effortless dominance, the kind that made people instinctively lean back to give her space. My throat felt dry as her gaze flicked between Samu
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