Aria's pov
“They said you don’t lose.”
I didn’t look up from the contract. “I don’t.”
A pause.
Then.
“Then you might want to explain why someone just tried to kill your deal.”
That got my attention.
I lifted my gaze slowly.
He hadn’t changed as much as I expected.
Still the same sharp jaw, same steady eyes, just older now. Harder. Like life had taken its time with him.
“Ryan,” I said, leaning back slightly in my chair. “I didn’t realize you were in Ravaryn.”
“I wasn’t,” he replied. “Not until recently.”
His gaze moved across the office, the glass walls, city view, huge space, before settling back on me.
“You’ve done well.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
There was a pause, it wasn't uncomfortable. Just heavy things we weren't saying.
“You disappeared,” he said finally.
“So di
