Page 71 of Rescuing Aria

“I’ve invested considerable resources into your—project.”

Aria cuts her father off before he can finish.

Sharp. Controlled. Deadly calm.

“My resources,” she says. “Not yours. I used my investment.Mymoney.”

Marcus’s expression shifts, just barely. No visible flinch, but his eyes turn cold and calculating. The man doesn’t like being corrected, especially not by his daughter.

He adjusts his cuff like he’s brushing off lint. “True. You provided the capital, but I’m contributing something far more valuable—my connections, my reputation, my name.” He lets it hang there like a noose. “That gives me a vested interest in seeing this venture succeed—properly.”

I lean back, every instinct on edge. The way he says “properly” makes my jaw tick. Not because he’s threatening her outright. He’s too polished for that. It’s the way he talks like she’s still some ambitious little girl playing CEO, and he’s humoring her. Letting her think she’s in control.

Aria’s hand tightens around her knife—not dramatic, not performative. Just firm. Deliberate. Her spine straightens. Shoulders squared.

“It is succeedingproperly,” she says, her voice like cut glass.

He smiles again, that thin, polished thing that doesn’t reach his eyes—doesn’t even try. “You always did have a rebellious streak. Just like your mother.”

Fucking hell.

Low blow. Deliberate. And he watches her like he’s gauging damage.

She doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. But I see the flicker—just a flash—in her eyes. The kind of pain that sharpens into fury when held too long.

I shift closer, just enough for my knee to brush hers under the table. Not to soothe. Not to pull her back.

To anchor her.

To remind her she’s not alone in this room with him.

She doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t need to. Her fingers loosen on the blade. But she doesn’t let go.

Good.

Let him see that too.

The tension between them crackles, years of similar conflicts visible in the practiced way they square off. I remain silent, watching Marcus calculate his next move.

His phone buzzes discreetly. With a slight nod of apology that feels entirely perfunctory, he glances at the screen. Whatever he sees causes a momentary furrow in his brow before he masks it.

“Excuse me a moment.” He rises smoothly. “A matter that requires immediate attention.”

As he steps away toward the private dining room’s entrance, Aria exhales heavily, shoulders dropping slightly.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “He’s always like this, but tonight he’s especially…”

“Testing boundaries?” I offer, covering her hand with mine. “Marking his territory?”

A small, sad smile touches her lips. “That obvious?”

“Only to someone trained to read people.” I squeeze her hand gently. “You’re handling him well.”

“Years of practice.” She glances toward where Marcus stands near the door, engaged in an intense conversation on his phone. “God, I can’t believe he scheduled investor meetings without even telling me. Ember will?—”

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I withdraw it discreetly, expecting a check-in from Storm or Razor.

Instead, I see CJ’s name with a single message:Surveillance footage at the shop. Check now.