Chapter 5: FIRST KISS ARTEMIS POV

I felt completely lost, like I was in a maze with no way out. The big office, with its tinted glass walls and sprawling view of the city skyline, felt more like a prison than a safe haven. I sat stiffly next to Aidan, whose presence was both sharp and commanding.

Behind us, Daymon loomed like a dark shadow, his tension making it clear he was armed and ready for anything.

Aiden seemed too calm, lounging in his chair with an air of confidence that was both infuriating and captivating. Across the polished mahogany desk sat Hernandez, his eyes darting between Aiden and me, clearly trying to gauge the situation but missing every signal.

“Mr. Creek,” Hernandez began, his voice careful but tinged with nerves. “I’ve come with a proposal—one I think you’ll find agreeable.”

Aidan tilted his head, his dark hair falling across his forehead, giving him a roguish look. The green of his eyes sparkled with amusement, making me wonder if he was about to laugh or strike.

“I rarely like your proposals, Hernandez. Let’s hear it,” Aidan replied, his tone dripping with boredom.

Hernandez’s gaze shifted to me, lingering a moment too long. “Is that your wife?”

Aiden didn’t even flinch. He leaned back further, his hand resting casually on the armrest. “Not yet. But we fuck. A lot. She should be pregnant by now. Don Carlo’s been dying for a grandchild.”

I nearly choked on my breath, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. How could he talk about such personal matters so casually? My mind betrayed me, flooding with images I didn’t want to think about.

Hernandez smiled, but it was a slimy, false grin. “How is she in—”

“Don’t.” Aidan’s voice cut through the air, sharp and dangerous, making me jump.

“We are here to discuss business,” he continued, his voice cold enough to freeze fire, “not my girl.”

My girl. The words echoed in my mind, louder than the city sounds outside. They shouldn’t have meant anything, but they felt too real.

I felt a mix of anger and confusion. Aidan made me feel like I was just a toy to him, yet he was protective in a way that made my heart ache. I glared at him, wishing I could find a way to get back at him for this.

Daymon handed a file to Aidan, pulling me from my thoughts. Without looking, Aidan flipped it onto the desk in front of Hernandez. “Sign it.”

Hernandez’s smile faded as he stared at the papers. “What’s this?”

“I’m taking back what’s rightfully the Creeks’,” Aidan said lazily. “Sign that, and your ranch in Brazil is ours. And men are waiting outside, Hernandez. Don’t make me unleash them.”

For the first time, Hernandez looked genuinely rattled. He leaned forward, his bravado slipping. “Look, Aidan, I know I’ve wronged your family in the past. I made mistakes. But that ranch is all I have left; it’s my livelihood.”

Aidan’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing into bright green slits. “I don’t care. Sign it.”

Something inside me snapped. I couldn’t just sit there and watch him bulldoze through people like this. It was time to speak up.

“Can’t you forgive him?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

The room fell silent. Slowly, Aidan turned his head, his eyes piercing into mine.

“Who asked you to—”

“Shhh.” I placed a finger on his lips, surprising myself. “I’m ‘your girl,’ right? Well, I think you’re overdoing it.”

For a moment, we just stared at each other, and then Aidan gave a slight nod, signaling Daymon. Daymon snapped the file shut and tucked it under his arm.

“You’re lucky,” Aidan said, his voice low and dangerous, directed at Hernandez. “Next time, she won’t be here to save you.”

I stood up, my hands trembling slightly. “I will always be here,” I said softly, more to myself than anyone else. “One ranch won’t make a dent in Don Carlo’s empire.”

Hernandez nodded, his face a mix of gratitude and fear.

Aidan’s eyes darkened, anger radiating off him. Before I could brace myself, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me from the room.

He didn’t stop until we were inside a small storage closet. He shut the door with a loud click and pressed me against the wall, his hands pinning my shoulders.

“How dare you?” he hissed, his breath hot against my face. “No one interrupts me during business.”

I smiled wryly, though my heart raced. “I begged you not to bring me. Consider this punishment for ignoring me and talking down to me like that.”

His hand moved to my neck, holding me firmly but not painfully. His gaze burned into mine, a mix of anger and something else I couldn’t quite place.

“You’re testing me,” he rasped. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow at him. “What, smile for your daddy?”

That seemed to push him over the edge. His hand fell from my neck to my waist, pulling me closer.

“I could kill you right now and leave your body here,” he said calmly, and I believed him.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “But you won’t.”

His hand moved behind his waistband, and for a terrifying moment, I thought he was reaching for a gun. Instead, he crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, a slow smile spreading across his face that sent chills down my spine. “Impressive. You’re not scared. You’d make a good wife, Artemis, goddess of the moon.”

The name hit me hard. Only my mother called me that. Tears welled in my eyes, and I blinked furiously to hold them back, but it was too late. The grief I had buried deep inside me surged to the surface.

Aidan’s anger melted away as he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face.

I broke down, burying my face in his chest as sobs wracked my body. “I miss them,” I choked out.

“I know,” he whispered, his voice soft. His lips brushed against my forehead, and the tenderness of the gesture completely undid me.

He held me as I cried, his fingers gently stroking my hair. The world outside the closet faded away, leaving just the two of us.

When my tears finally stopped, I leaned back, my face drying but my hands still trembling. My gaze flickered to his lips, so close and inviting.

Without thinking, I rose onto my toes and pressed my lips to his. I placed my hands on his shoulders as our lips locked. I liked the taste of it and without even realizing, we were already deep into it. I took out my tongue and let it tangle with his.