Chapter 5: Unseen Enemy

As they made their way back to Lucas's estate, the tension was palpable, and the stillness stretched between them like a cord that was about to break under immense pressure.

At the same time as the automobile was speeding through the streets, Aria looked out the window and saw the city lights blending together into a one continuous line.

As she continued to experience the unnerving sensation of his stare lingering on her skin, her thoughts kept going back to Viktor Pierce all the time.

 Lucas's response made it very evident that she should not have trusted him in the first place.

She did not trust him for a single second.

Aria was aware of the questions that were beginning to surface inside her as they approached the estate; nevertheless, she was uncertain as to whether or not Lucas would provide her with any genuine answers.

The cryptic warning that he gave her about Viktor was sufficient to convince her that there was a great deal about Lucas's world that she did not know, namely about the dangers that were lying just below the surface.

Without uttering a single word, Lucas got out of the vehicle, his body rigid with a frustrated expression that was hardly masked. Aria followed him inside the home, her feet being light and tentative as she got inside.

What she ought to do was unclear to her; she was uncertain whether she ought to urge him for further information or just let it go.

But as they reached the big lobby, Lucas's voice, which was low and piercing, broke the hush that had been around them.

"You should avoid him at all costs," I advised you.

Aria halted, and as she turned to face him, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

It was not my intention to find him, Lucas. It was coming to me. Where was I meant to go with this? Get out of the way and seem suspicious?"

On account of his displeasure, Lucas's jaw became tightened, and his eyes flashed. What you're doing, Aria, is playing with fire.

This is not the kind of person you want to be connected with, Viktor. He is dangerous and very manipulative.

He is going to use you to get to me if he believes that doing so would give him an advantage.

Attempting to maintain her breath, Aria clasped her arms to her chest. "Luskins, I did not ask for any of this to happen.

When I was pulled into your world and into your fights, I did not ask to be dragged in. However, I am here present, and it is imperative that I have a clear understanding of the situation I am currently facing.

In the event that you want me to avoid Viktor, that is acceptable; nevertheless, you must explain to me why he is such a risky individual.

The expression on Lucas's face became more gentle for a brief instant, but it vanished just as soon. He let out a lengthy sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair.

I have, together with Victor,... the past. We had been partners in the past, but that relationship was dissolved when he attempted to seize control of my firm by deceitful tactics.

He is a ruthless individual, and he does not care who suffers as a result of his actions. Even if you seen how pleasant he can be, it is only a façade. In reality, he is a serpent underneath it all.

When Aria felt the weight of Lucas's words beginning to settle over her, she gulped hard.

Her intuition had led her to believe that there was more to Viktor than what was first apparent; nevertheless, when Lucas confirmed her suspicions, the threat became all too real.

"What could possibly pique his interest in me?" as she questioned in a low voice, her thoughts were racing. To him, I am nothing at all.

The darkness grew in Lucas's eyes. You are my wife, I say. The only thing he needs to know is that. Due to the fact that you are related to me, you have become a target.

A chill ran down her spine as she was confronted with the truth of her predicament, which struck her like a wave of harsh cold.

She was so desperate to get away from the anguish of Damien's rejection that she had consented to marry him. She had accepted to this marriage out of desperation. At this point, however, she was starting to realize that her new existence with Lucas came with its own unique set of risks, risks for which she had not been adequately prepared.

"I can't pretend everything is fine, Lucas," Aria murmured, her voice slightly shaking as she tried to convey her words. It is imperative that I be aware of the situation if I am in danger.

It would be irresponsible of me to remain in the dark about your adversaries and the situation at hand.

After taking a few steps closer, Lucas extended his hand to gently grab hold of her arm. Although he had a hard touch, it was not cruel.

"Aria, I do promise to keep you safe. As part of our agreement, it is included. On the other hand, there are items that you do not need to be aware of, things that will just make you more susceptible to danger. Rely on me in this matter.

Aria looked at him, looking for any indication that he was being dishonest. Even though he was speaking quietly to her, she could see the stiffness in his jaw and the way his shoulders stayed straight.

His face was a mask of control, but she could feel the tension in his jaw. Although she was unsure of whether or not she trusted him totally, she was aware that she did not have many other choices.

She hushed, "Okay," she said. "I'm going to avoid engaging with Viktor."

As he was pleased with her answer, Lucas nodded his head. It's good.

As they stood there in the peace and quiet of the big entryway, the tension that had been building up between them began to gradually dissipate. On the other hand, the discomfort that had taken up residence in Aria's breast did not go.

On the contrary, it became more powerful. In the event that she did not exercise caution, she had the impression that she was treading on the brink of something perilous, something that had the potential to consume her in its whole.

Aria got up early the next morning, with the events that had transpired at the gala still vivid in her memory.

She couldn't get the idea that she was missing something—some essential piece of knowledge that would explain why Viktor had taken such an interest in her. She just couldn't seem to dispel the notion.

Lucas had said that the reason was due to the fact that she was his wife, but Aria was not persuaded by his explanation.

It was not only that; there was something more profound. It was imperative that she find it out if she was going to have any chance of surviving in this world.

Aria made the decision to explore more of the estate once she finished her meal. The mystery of the west wing, which Lucas had cautioned her to avoid at all costs, continued to lurk in the back of her mind all this while.

Her interest, on the other hand, was deepening with each passing day.

She took her time as she made her way through the mansion's lengthy halls, taking in the many works of art and the luxurious furniture.

Each and every aspect of Lucas's residence, from the sparkling chandeliers to the polished marble flooring, was brought together with great care and attention to detail.

Despite the fact that it was a vast cry from the simple cottages that the Moonstone pack had been living in, it seemed just as chilly and much more lonely.

Aria felt her heart begin to accelerate as she got closer to the west wing of the building. A peculiar feeling of dread rushed over her when the massive wooden doors that had been used to divide the wing from the rest of the house were shut.

Even though Lucas had warned her not to go there, she decided to have a brief peek anyway. What could possibly go wrong?

A little moment of hesitation was all that she needed before grabbing for the door doorknob. As she carefully turned the knob, she was half-expecting the door to be locked.

The wood felt cold to her fingertips as she performed the action. It was not the case. The door opened with a gentle groan, showing a corridor that was poorly lighted and extended out in front of her all the way.

Aria entered the building, and the sound of her footfall reverberated gently on the stone floor. It was a different atmosphere here; the air was heavier and almost oppressive.

It seemed as if this section of the home had not been utilized for many years, as shown by the fact that the corridor was lined with locked doors and a faint musty odor remained in the air.

As she went from one door to the next, she walked very slowly, her heart thumping in her chest continuously.

What was Lucas trying to conceal here?

Could you perhaps explain why he was so keen that she stay away?

She arrived at the end of the corridor and found herself in front of a massive door that was decorative and slightly ajar.

The fissure allowed light to pass through it, which resulted in a narrow line of brightness being thrown over the floor.

With her fingers hanging above the door, Aria paused for a moment. She is not supposed to be here. If Lucas were to learn about it, he would be incensed.

But there was no way for her to go back now. As she entered the room, she carefully pulled the door open, and as she did so, she felt her breath stop in her throat.

The room was rather spacious, and it was surrounded by shelves of books and papers that were dispersed around a huge table in the middle of the room. What drew her eye, however, was the wall that was located at the other end of the room.

In the manner of a spider's web, it was adorned with images, maps, and papers, all of which were linked together by tiny red threads that crisscrossed the surface evenly.

As Aria took in the scene, her eyes became wide with excitement. She was unable to make sense of anything, despite the fact that it seemed to be something drawn from a criminal probe.

As she moved closer, her eyes scanned the images from left to right. She recognized some of the individuals, but others were of persons she did not know.

Then, however, she noticed a photograph of herself pinned to the wall with the other photographs, with a red ribbon linking her to the photograph of Lucas. This caused her heart to stop beating.

As she lurched backwards, her stomach began to churn, and her thoughts began to race. What was the purpose of her image being there?

What was the significance of it?

The sound of footsteps reverberated in the corridor behind her shortly after she had finished processing any of the information. Her veins were filled with a burst of panic. She snapped her head around and dashed for the entrance, but it was already too late.

Lucas was standing in the doorway, staring at her with a face that was blurry and inscrutable.

What are you doing at this location?

It was a quiet voice, and his calmness was menacing.

When Aria was trying to find the words to express herself, her heart was beating in her chest. She had been apprehended, and she was at a loss for words to describe what had happened.