CHAPTER TWO
1600 Words
Control Is an Illusion
Aria’s POV
“You’re wrong.”
The words left my lips smoothly, but they didn’t land the way I needed them to. Because Dominic Hale didn’t look like a man who doubted himself. He looked like a man who waited, watched and confirmed.
His gaze held mine a second longer than necessary, like he was measuring
the lie against the truth he already suspected and then…He stepped back, just like that.
The tension snapped, but it didn’t disappear. It settled, shifted and became something quieter… and far more dangerous. “Maybe,” he said.
Maybe? That wasn't a relief. That was a promise.
I forced my shoulders to relax, even as my pulse refused to cooperate, then around us, the gala slowly came back to life, as voices resumed and laughter returned, slightly forced, and slightly louder than before. But the energy had changed. Eyes were on me now; they were not casually and not dismissively.
Instead, they were watching and calculating. That was good. Let them look, because Aria Vale doesn’t flinch.
“Are you hurt?” Dominic’s voice cut through the noise again, lower this time and closer.
I blinked, thrown off for half a second. “No.”
“Your hand.” He muttered.
I followed his gaze and a thin line of red ran across my palm…it was glass.
I hadn’t even felt it. Of course. All I felt was adrenaline.
“I’ve had worse,” I said lightly, curling my fingers like it didn’t matter. Then his jaw tightened. “You shouldn’t ignore injuries.”
“And you shouldn’t assume I care.” I replied.
A pause followed and then….
“You should.” He hesitated.
There it was again. That tone, it was like he was used to being obeyed.
Like the world bent around his words. I smiled, soft but sharp. “I don’t.” I said.
And for a second, I thought he’d push. Instead, he did something worse.
He reached for my hand and my body reacted before my mind could catch up, stilling, alert, and my every nerve on edge, then his fingers closed around my wrist again. Firm, controlled and too familiar. “Let go,” I said quietly.
“Not yet.” He replied
My heart slammed once, and hard. This was bad, there was too much contact, too much attention and too much of him.
“I said….”
“I heard you.” He cut in.
His thumb brushed lightly over the cut and a strange, electric pause, then he turned slightly. “Marcus.”
The name snapped the moment in half. And a man approached immediately, he was tall, composed, and his eyes sharp enough to cut through steel.
That was Marcus Reed. I recognized him instantly. Of course I did, he is Dominic’s right hand. The one who saw everything. That was not good.
“Get this handled,” Dominic said, his grip still on me.
Marcus’s gaze flicked to my hand, then to my face. And lingered too long, with suspicion. Damn it.
“Yes, sir,” Marcus replied.
A staff member appeared with a first aid kit within seconds. He was efficient and controlled and everything about Dominic’s world moved like that.
No wasted time and no loose ends. Except me. “I can do it myself,” I said, trying to pull away.
Dominic didn’t let go. “I didn’t ask.”
Of course you didn’t. I inhaled slowly, forcing calm into my system.
‘Don’t fight him. Not here and not now.’ I said to myself.
“Fine,” I said.
Marcus handed over a cloth, his eyes were still studying me like I was a puzzle he intended to solve, but I ignored him, and I focused on Dominic instead.
That was a mistake, because up close, like this, there was no distance, no control. It was just intensity and his fingers were steady as he cleaned the cut, precise, and careful in a way that didn’t match the rest of him.
“You didn’t hesitate,” he said quietly.
I shrugged. “Someone had to act.”
“There were security personnel.” He replied.
“And they hesitated.” I said.
“And you didn’t.” He mumbled.
I met his gaze. “Would you have preferred I didn’t?”
“No.” He replied instantly.
Something in my chest tightened, then I crushed it immediately. This wasn’t real, because none of this was real. “Then we’re done here,” I said.
He didn’t release me immediately. Of course he didn’t. “Why were you there?” he asked.
I felt my stomach drop, then I asked carefully. “Where?”
“When he lunged.” he said.
“I was close.” I replied.
“That’s not an answer.” He said. Then I smiled faintly. “It’s the only one you’re getting.”
Marcus shifted slightly beside us, he was watching, listening and recording everything. This was getting out of control.
I needed to leave now.
“I think I’ve made enough of an impression for one night,” I said, finally pulling my hand free.
But this time…Dominic let me. But the look he gave me? That wasn’t dismissal. That was interest and it was deepened. “Stay,” he said again.
There it was. That command, it was stronger this time and more deliberate.
I shook my head. “I don’t take orders.”
“You do when they make sense.” He says.
“And this doesn’t.” I replied.
“It does.” He said.
I raised a brow. “Explain.”
A flicker of something dangerous crossed his expression. “Because walking away right now would be a mistake.” Immediately I felt my breath caught. Not visible. But internally, everything stilled. He knew, but not everything. But enough to be a problem.
I tilted my head slightly. “Sounds like a threat.”
“It’s advice.” He says.
“From a man who doesn’t trust easily?” I muttered.
His gaze sharpened. “Exactly.” Then silence stretched between us heavy and unspoken and then… “I’ll take my chances,” I said softly, and I turned and walked away. Every step measured and every movement controlled. Don’t run. Never run, I always say to myself, but I could feel it. His eyes on my back.
Burning, tracking and following. I didn’t stop until I reached the exit.
I didn’t breathe properly until I stepped outside and cool air hit my skin.
Then reality snapped back into place. Too close, because that had been too close.
I pulled out my phone, dialing quickly. Bella picked up on the second ring.
“Tell me you’re done,” she said immediately.
“No,” I replied, scanning the street. “Something went wrong.”
“How wrong?” she asked.
I hesitated and then… “He noticed me.” I said.
Silence followed immediately and then, sharply... “Noticed how?” she asked.
“Not normal.” I said.
“That’s not good.” She said.
“I know.” I admitted, then I started walking, with my heels clicking against the pavement, and my mind racing. “I had to act,” I continued. “There was a situation. I couldn’t ignore it.”
“You deviated from the plan?” Bella’s voice dropped.
“I didn’t have a choice.” I said.
“You always have a choice, Elena.” She said.
The name hit harder than it should have. “I’m not Elena,” I said quietly.
A pause followed and then softer…. “I know. But don’t forget why you’re there.” She says finally.
As if I could, or as if I ever would. “I won’t,” I said.
But something about tonight… Something about him made that promise feel less certain. “You need to be careful,” Bella continued. “Men like Dominic Hale don’t just notice people. If he’s watching, you…”
“He is.” I cut in.
“Then you’re already in danger.” she added.
I stopped walking, because deep down…I already knew that.
“I can handle him,” I said.
Even if I wasn’t entirely sure anymore. Bella exhaled. “Just don’t lose yourself in the process.”
Too late, then I ended the call, slipping my phone back into my purse.
Suddenly a black car pulled up in front of me. Right on time. Of course, then I reached for the handle…
“Leaving so soon?” a voice shot from behind me.
My blood ran cold.
I didn’t need to turn around to know that voice, because it was Dominic.
I closed my eyes briefly and then faced him slowly and carefully.
He stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, and his expression unreadable. But his eyes locked on me. They were unmoving.
“I thought I made it clear,” he said calmly. “That walking away…” He stepped closer.
“…would be a mistake.”
My pulse pounded, but I smiled anyway, because Aria Vale doesn’t break. “Then I guess,” I said softly, “I like making mistakes.”
A pause followed my last sentence and then…
His lips curved slightly. Not amused and not warm. It was something darker.
“Good,” he said. “Because you just made a very big one…and I don’t ignore mistakes.”
And this time…It didn’t sound like advice. It sounded like a warning.
*****
- Writer
