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Aria’s words filter through my mind.There was a dangerous-looking one that I think was a shifter and a guy in a black mask.
Is he the one behind the missing shares of Wild Heart?
The moment the thought forms, I can't shake the feeling in my bones that the masked man is important.
I grab my cell, my mind working in overdrive even as cold, hard determination settles in my gut. There are two questions that need answering so I can keep Aria safe.
Who is the masked man, and what does he want with me?
And what does he want with Aria?
Chapter15
Aria
In the dimly lit alley beside the club, I huddle against the cold brick wall, feeling the weight of too many emotions. The shadows seem to close in around me, pressing down, making it hard to breathe.
I did what I came here to do—I have a job at the club.
But Andre saw me. He thinks I’m still selling myself. He’ll tell Chase, he wouldn’t be a good Beta if he didn’t. And I can’t blame him, he’s doing what’s right for Wild Heart. His loyalty is commendable.
But what will that mean for Chase? Andre will assume Chase is no better than his father, frequenting prostitutes, gambling, drinking, wasting away Wild Heart’s funds. We barely survived last time. The pack won’t be able to come back from something like that again.
It’s why I’m so determined that Chase doesn’t pay the ransom. The pack is thriving again. He has a beautiful house. I won’t be the one to destroy that.
My head falls forward so my chin brushes my chest as I try to stop the tears. Going back to the club is the only answer. The red-eyed man and the masked man are connected to this, I know it. And if they frequent the club, then I need to, as well.
No matter how dangerous it is.
“Aria.”
Chase’s soft voice doesn’t scare me. Somehow, I’m not surprised he’s found me. In fact, it’s a comfort to know he’s watching me closely, even as it means I can’t have any secrets. Even if Andre didn’t find me, Chase would’ve figured out I was here.
His determination to protect me swells my heart even as it tightens my chest. I’ve never felt more cherished or cared for.
And I’ve never been conscious of how much he could be hurt by all of this. Because of me.
I look up, trying to smile. “Hey,” I whisper.
He moves toward me with that animal grace of his, his large body fluid and strong. Chase doesn’t stop until he’s in front of me. He lifts his hands and places them on the wall beside my head, pinning me. “What do I have to do to keep you safe, Aria?” he rasps. “The club is the last place you should be.”
I glance away, grappling with the truth and the instinct to shield him from the harsh reality. "I... I'm trying to protect you," I confess, my words barely audible in the stillness.
Chase reaches out, his touch tender as he lifts my chin, coaxing my gaze to meet his. "You want me to be happy?" he asks, his lips moving down until they’re a breath away from mine.
“Yes,” I whisper, breathing him in. “I love you, Chase. Your touch, your smiles feed my soul.” And he needs to be alive to do either of those.
“There’s nothing more I want than to protect you, Aria.” His mouth brushes mine. “If I don’t have you in my life, there are no smiles.”
The air exits my lungs, then fails to return. Our eyes lock, honesty and vulnerability and aching tenderness filling the space between us. We have to trust each other.
We have to do this together.
My hands come up and wrap around his waist. My head angles up. Our lips touch. My heart stutters.
The kiss is deep. Brief. So beautiful and tender. Rather than defined by the passion that so readily detonates between us, it’s raw and simple. It’s a kiss of promises.
A kiss of unity.
