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 POVI filled my lungs, willing myself to stay calm, scanning the room as I began to move toward Troy. My steps were deliberate, my focus unwavering. But just as I neared the buffet table, Shane suddenly pivoted and returned to Troy’s side. My heart sank.I froze mid-step, then quickly adjuste
“We had so much fun, Mommy!” Jasmine chirped, bouncing on her toes. “Grandpa taught me how to play chess! And Grandma made cookies—like, a hundred of them!”“Not quite a hundred,” my father chuckled, ruffling her hair. “But close enough.”As Jasmine launched into an enthusiastic rundown of her adven
Aria’s POV"Well, there they are," my mother said warmly, opening the door with a knowing smile. "And Victor, too. What a pleasant surprise."I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Mom, I didn’t tell you Victor was coming with me."She raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth tugging up in a smirk. "Oh, ple
Victor’s POVThe muted whine of the fluorescent lights in the police station seemed to amplify the tension hanging over us. I sat on the hard bench, my elbows resting on my knees, watching Aria as she stared at the floor, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looked dejected, her usual spark
Aria’s POVThe scene unfolded in a blur of chaos as the driver of the SUV stumbled out, clutching his arm, but my eyes were already fixed on the passenger side. The door flung open, and there she was—Shane, her sharp gaze darting through the chaos before she bolted down the street. Her heels clicked
Aria’s POVDiscreetly, I let out a deep breath, not realizing that I’ve been holding it in for some time. I looked around with relief, happy to finally be out of the casino and in the real world. Alive, with Victor. “You two… I still can’t believe you didn’t inform me and went through with it…” Det
Victor’s POV“We’ll be more than ready,” I said firmly, watching the casino boss closely. “This time, we’ll be one step ahead. But to make that happen, we need your help. Provide us with all the evidence you have against Shane and Troy.”Lucciano regarded me with amusement, as if he could already se
Aria’s POVLucciano’s casual toast felt like a cruel twist, as though he’d dangled just enough of the truth to keep us chasing but withheld the most crucial details. “Can’t you tell us more?” I couldn’t help asking, feeling bolder and quite annoyed. Lucciano leaned forward, still looking gravely s
Aria’s POVLucciano’s words sank in, making me feel sick. Shane wasn’t just dangerous—she was ruthless, cutting down anyone who got in her way. My mind spiraled, flashing back to Pierre.The first time I’d met him, it was in Amsterdam and he had been with Shane. Pierre had been charming, suave, the
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