Page 6

Cillian

“Paul!” Aria exclaims excitedly the moment Paul Laurent walks through the front door.

Paul gasps dramatically, his eyes widening in surprise. “Ma belle! What a pleasant surprise,” he says with a big smile, setting down his shopping bags as he air-kisses Aria’s cheeks. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Same,” Aria says, returning his smile.

I watch the exchange, surprised. Paul Laurent is one of the top stylists in Seattle. His services are exclusive to elites ranging from politicians to business moguls and drug barons, anyone willing to pay handsomely for his services.

I arch a brow, looking between them. “You two know each other?”

Aria smiles up at me. “He’s a VIP in the club I worked at.”

“You look as beautiful as always, mademoiselle,” Paul says with a proud smile. “But much more radiant than when I last saw you.”

Aria beams. “Thanks, Paul.” She gestures to the shopping bags in his hand. “What are those?”

“Dresses, shoes, jewelry…” Paul replies. “Monsieur Wolfe was very particular about you getting the best of the best.”

“When did you have the time to prepare all of this?” Aria asks, blinking at me in surprise.

“I made a quick stop on the way back from my canceled meeting,” I reply with a teasing smile.

Aria chuckles, an adorable blush spreading across her cheeks. “Thank you,” she murmurs shyly.

“Anything for you, kitten,” I say, pasting a quick kiss on her forehead.

“Well, I need to get set up,” Paul says.

“I’ll help you,” Aria says, going over to his side.

I watch the two as they chatter excitedly while Paul sets up his makeshift studio. He says something and Aria laughs. I’m mesmerized all over again by the sheer beauty of her existence. There is so much light in her, so much life and innocence that I don’t deserve. The past twenty-four hours, ever since I first saw her at the chapel, I’ve avoided thinking about my feelings for her, but it’s no longer avoidable. I want her for more than just a passing moment, possibly forever. With her, I’m a different person—I’m lighter, softer. She makes me feel things I never thought myself capable of.

But that’s the problem.

I shouldn’t entertain these feelings. If she’s light, then I’m darkness, there’s no sugarcoating it.

I wonder how Aria would react if she learned that my company deals with some of the lowest lowlifes in the world. Like Paul Laurent, my services are sold to the highest bidder. I’ve built my company into a leader in the tech sector by shaking hands with the worst scum on earth.

I’m aware of some of the unspeakable things my innovations are being used for, but I’ve always turned a blind eye. I could use my poor background and unfortunate childhood as an excuse, but that’s just bullshit. I’m no better than my druggie parents who brought kids they couldn’t raise into the world.

If Aria knew all of this, would she want to be with me? Most likely not.

I could shield her from the truth of who I really am, but what would that make me? A bastard through and through. In the end, I’d only snuff out her light and make her miserable. I hate that the most—the thought of her being miserable.

Damn, I look in the mirror sometimes and I still don’t know who I want to be… until Aria, that is. I only have to look into her eyes to see an idolized version of myself. The only one who ever looked at me that way was Lily, and I let her down.

The thought of Lily strikes up familiar feelings of rage and bitterness within me. Yet again, I’m faced with another reason I can’t be with Aria. She doesn’t deserve to be stuck with a man like me who’s driven by revenge. Sometimes, I’m so consumed in my quest to find my sister’s murderer that I forget about everything else. What happens to Aria then?

But it’s not like I can stop before I get to the bastard that killed my sister. To stop searching for her murderer would mean that I failed Lily to the end. Even the thought is inconceivable.

“Hey…” a soft voice says beside me.

I look up to see Aria standing in front of me, wearing a concerned expression. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice her.

“Hey, love,” I say, managing a small smile.

“Penny for your thoughts?” she says in a light tone that contradicts the worry in her beautiful green eyes.

I pull her into my arms, loving how easily her body melts into mine. “I’d rather have a kiss,” I murmur, brushing my lips over hers. She chuckles, pressing closer to me. I tighten my arms around her. My girl. So warm and gentle.

“Time to sit on my chair, mademoiselle Aria,” Paul says, clapping his hands to get our attention. I want to tell him to fuck off and leave me to my woman, but that would only ruin my plans for the evening. I reluctantly step back, letting Aria go.

“I should go get ready for the night.” I give her one last lingering kiss, then leave them to their business.

I don’t take long to get ready, putting on a tailored suit with a dark green pocket square to match her dress. I try to imagine what she’ll look like in the dress I picked for her, but nothing prepares me for actually seeing her in it.

She’s stunning. She looks like a literal goddess draped in a long, shimmering dress, her fair skin glistening lethally behind the long slit that runs up her thigh. Paul has done something with her hair—her golden curls are tied up in some kind of fancy bun with delicate strands framing her face like strips of liquid fire. When she sees me her face brightens up, a soft smile tugging at her lips. My breath catches, my heart skipping unexpectedly in my chest.

She walks over to me and does a quick twirl, a soft blush spreading across her face as she looks up at me with a curious smile. “What do you think?”

“You look gorgeous, Aria,” I say, keeping my voice level. I don’t want to scare her away with the depth of my feelings right now. It’s too much, too soon.

“Thank you,” she says, her blush deepening.

I reach out, taking her hand, enjoying the warmth of her skin against mine. “I don’t think you know what you do to me, love.” I slowly raise her hand to my lips without taking my eyes off her. “It’s dangerous, how perfect you look.”

She lets out a breathy laugh, and for a moment we just stand there, lost in each other’s eyes. I suddenly want to cancel the night, just let go of everything and be with her. The urge is so intense, so overwhelming it feels like a physical ache.

“You alright?” she asks softly, searching my face.

It’s amazing how she’s so attuned to my feelings…so quick to spot a change in my mood. How does she do that?

I smile, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. “I’m good, love. Shall we, then?” I ask, offering her my arm.

The entire ride, I can’t keep my eyes off her reflection in the mirror, the way her gown catches the city lights as we drive by.

We soon arrive at Warren Osla’s house—a sprawling estate that’s been transformed for the night into a glimmering spectacle of wealth and influence. Warren is a huge deal in Seattle, a business tycoon and philanthropist with an influence that goes further than the border of America. Everyone loves Warren, including the media, and he’s even been nominated several times for public office but never accepted it. Once a year, he holds these exclusive fundraisers and every top socialite in Seattle will do anything to attend. Not like I care at all for the shit show. I’ve had the invitation for weeks, but I had no intention of attending until the auction.

In the photo I printed off Lily’s Facebook, the bastard was wearing a watch—a rare, vintage watch. There are only two pieces like it in the world, and I’ve gone through every resource to find their owners. One belongs to an Arab prince, deep in the heart of Saudi Arabia, and the other? Right here on Warren Osla’s wrist. I wasn’t sure until I saw it on him at the auction.

Even though I couldn’t slit his throat right then and there, I still managed to win the bid against him for Aria. He won’t touch her while I live. I smirk. If tonight goes the way I plan, he won’t touch anyone ever again.

The valet opens her door, and I take Aria’s hand in mine, leading her inside. Heads turn the moment we step in, all eyes on her. She commands attention effortlessly, with a grace that feels entirely unintentional. It’s no surprise, though. After all, she’s the daughter of the great Fiona Martins who was once a national sensation for her beauty and poise. Aria is so oblivious to her charms, the striking effect of her looks, and that’s what makes her all the more endearing.

I lean down to murmur in her ear, “They’re all looking at you, kitten.”

Aria’s grip tightens on my arm, her gaze skimming the crowd nervously. “Maybe they can tell I’ve never been to something like this,” she murmurs. Her tone is light but I can tell she’s a bit self-conscious.

I glance down at her with a reassuring smile. “You fit right in,” I say, brushing a stray curl from her face. At that moment, with her looking up at me, her eyes wide and trusting, I can’t help myself. I lean down and press a kiss to her lips.

She blushes, looking up at me with that shy, curious look that I’m quickly becoming addicted to. “What was that for?” she asks softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

A smirk tugs at my lips. “So everyone in this room will know you’re mine,” I reply, not bothering to hide the possessiveness in my voice.

“Ary!”

We both turn in the direction of the sound. The owner of the shrill voice is a rail-thin redhead in an ill-fitting black evening dress. I don’t have time to ask any questions before the redhead has reached where we’re standing and is peering at Aria with an expression of disbelief.

“It’s you!” she says, her thin lips spreading into a tight smile. “I thought I was mistaken.”

“Vivian.” Aria’s voice is quiet, too quiet. I glance at her face to see she’s gone deathly pale, her body rigid like she’s trying to keep herself from bolting.

Who the hell is this, and why does she have such an effect on Aria?

I slide her hand into mine and pull her closer against my body. She seems to sag with her relief even though she doesn’t spare me a glance.

“You look well,” the woman—Vivian—says, looking from Aria to me with a malicious smile.

“How could you do that to me, Vivian?” Aria asks, her voice shaking slightly. “How could you betray me like that?”

“Betray you?” Vivian scoffs with a humorless laugh. “We were never friends, Aria.”

“Was that why you sold me off to strangers?” Aria asks, and I can hear the anger in her voice this time. “You made me go with a stranger to be sold off at an auction. What gave you the right to mess with me like that?”

“I didn’t make you do anything,” Vivian says, shrugging her thin shoulders. “Blame yourself for being gullible enough to trust strangers. Besides, it looks like things turned out well, after all.” She looks at me, her eyes taking in my face with a suggestive smile. “Maybe you should thank me instead.”

I’ve heard enough. Clenching my teeth against the rage surging through my veins, I step in front of Aria, pinning Vivian with a cold glare.

“Fuck off,” I say quietly, not bothering to hide the threat in my voice.

Vivian scoffs and sputters, an ugly shade of red spreading across her heavily made-up face. Then she huffs and stalks off.

“God, she’s right. I’m so gullible,” Aria says in a shaky voice, tilting her chin upward to contain the tears gathering in her eyes. “How could I be so stupid?”

“Look at me, Aria,” I say firmly, taking her face in my hand. I wait for her to raise her eyes to mine before I continue. “You’re not stupid or gullible for trusting her, she’s a terrible person for betraying you. Don’t you dare blame yourself, do you hear me?”

She nods, a tear sliding down her cheek. “Thank you,” she murmurs, resting her head on my chest with a soft sigh.

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer against my body. “Let’s get you out of here,” I say, already steering her toward the entrance, Warren Osla and his watch long forgotten.