ARIA’S POV

I sat down enjoying him fuming, but my joy was cut short when he walked toward where I sat, his eyes red with anger. Then he grabbed my lips hard between his fingers.

“I will put this to good use later. That is, if it doesn’t get you killed before that,” he said coldly. Then he dropped my face with such force that my head wiggled side to side and I groaned in pain.

The sting lingered on my jaw, but what hurt worse was the humiliation. My skin burned under his touch, and my pride screamed louder than the ache. My body wanted to curl in fear, but I refused to give him that satisfaction.

I forced myself to stand tall, glaring straight into his eyes even though my knees trembled. “You can threaten all you want, flaunt your body all you want, or show your hilarious sex skills all you want but one thing is certain. I will never want you.” My voice dripped with everything I knew he hated.

For a second, I saw my life flash before my eyes. He glared at me, then slammed the closet door so hard the sound echoed in my skull, yanked on his clothes, and stormed out.

My heart beat a thousand times in a single breath and I was covered in goosebumps. Fear twisted inside me, yet I had still said it. This mouth of mine would really kill me one day. I quickly sat down to steady my breathing, my hands clutching the chair to stop them from shaking.

I tried distracting myself, slipping into thoughts of Kael—his strong arms, the way his voice soothed me. I closed my eyes, imagining our reunion, imagining him storming in to take me away, when suddenly I heard a knock.

“Ughhh..” I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. My sweet imagination cut short!

The door opened slowly and two girls around my age entered, carrying a tray. They walked quickly and set it down on the table.

“Good day, Luna,” they greeted in unison, bowing low.

They sounded like they were in a hurry. One of them avoided looking at me, and the other’s hands trembled slightly as she placed down the fruit. That looked fishy!

My brows drew together as I tried to make sense of it. I was about to ask why they brought the fruits, since I didn’t order any, but before I could, they turned and left in silence.

Suspicion prickled under my skin. I glanced at the tray again. Then my eyes caught something just at the edge, sticking out from underneath a plate.

My heart skipped.

Carefully, I pulled it out.

A folded piece of paper.

I unfolded it with trembling hands, and the second I read the words, joy exploded inside me.

We can meet in the garden walls and you can send your message across through the dishes. They work for me.

Signed with just a letter: T.

Tom.

My lips parted in disbelief. My heart leapt so high I almost jumped up and danced. I pressed the note to my chest, already planning what I would tell him to tell Kael.

But then, the door creaked again.

Panic hit me like a slap. I shoved the paper under the bed in reflex, my pulse hammering.

Liam entered in his full glory, filling the doorway like a shadow. He didn’t move immediately; he just stood there watching me with unreadable eyes. His stare crawled over my skin like fire.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my hands from trembling, but sweat trickled down my temple.

“Why are you so jumpy?” he asked as he stepped into the room. His voice carried that dangerous calm that always made me cringe.

I blurted out the first thing that came to my lips. “I’m jumpy because a certain someone doesn’t know what knocking is.”

The second the words left my mouth, I nearly fainted.

Liam scoffed. “Yeah, and the house happens to be mine.”

I rolled my eyes, forcing myself to relax, using sarcasm to shield my fear. “Yeah, it’s yours. And I didn’t ask to be in it.” I sighed, pretending I wasn’t about to collapse inside.

He clenched his jaw, his anger simmering. I could see it, the way his nostrils flared. But then he closed his eyes, as though controlling himself.

“Mouthy Aria,” he muttered. Then he added, “Get ready. We have a guest coming over. You will be having dinner with us.”

I stood up sharply. “Well, I don’t think I must be there. Besides, I’m not ready to meet a crazy friend of yours.”

He turned slowly, his gaze piercing through me.

“You know what’s better?” I said, pushing recklessly. “Take one of your whores.” I sat down on the bed, lifting my chin at him.

Liam’s smile stretched, but it wasn’t joy. It was the smile of a predator eyeing its prey. He walked toward me calmly, every step deliberate, his presence swallowing the air from the room.

Before I could move, he yanked me up from the bed by my arms, his grip like iron shackles. Pain shot through my shoulders as he hauled me close, his face inches from mine.

“You will do as I say, little Aria,” he growled, his voice so low it made my heart stumble. “Even if I have to put a leash on you and drag you there myself.”

“You wouldn’t,” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling despite my effort to sound brave.

He tilted his head, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. “Then watch me, little one.”

He leaned in and pressed a mocking peck against my lips. I flinched and shifted back, but his hand tightened on my arm before he shoved me to the side. I hit the bed, breath catching in my throat as his shadow loomed over me.