CHAPTER SEVEN — The Rules Change Tonight
745 Words
Aria barely remembers walking. One moment she is in the long hallway with Xavier’s hand wrapped around hers, and the next she is in a different part of the mansion entirely.
A quieter part.
A darker part.
A part that feels off limits.
Xavier finally stops.
He releases her hand slowly. Almost reluctantly. The air cools between them the moment he lets go.
Aria steps back. She tries to steady her voice.
“Why bring me here?”
He faces her, breathing slightly uneven. She has only ever seen him cold and measured, so seeing him like this rattles her.
“This is the only part of the mansion without hidden access points,” he says. “No vents large enough for someone to crawl through. Only one entrance. Only one exit.”
Her eyes widen. “You already knew the house had places someone could hide in?”
“Yes.”
“And you still put me in that room?”
He looks at her without blinking. “Because I have never had a reason to think someone would get inside this house.”
He steps closer. Aria does not move. She wants to, but her body refuses.
His voice drops lower.
“But the moment I heard your name over the security feed, everything changed.”
Her heartbeat stumbles.
“My name?” she whispers.
His jaw tightens. “Someone inside the east wing said your name out loud. They whispered it, but the audio caught it.”
Aria feels a rush of heat in her chest. Not romantic heat. Fear heat.
Someone was inside the mansion… whispering for her.
“Xavier, what is happening?”
He studies her again. Like she is a riddle he is almost tired of trying to solve.
“I think you know something you are not saying.”
She turns away. “If I knew anything, I would tell you.”
“No.” His voice sharpens. “You would not. Because whatever chased you before, you ran from it alone. You are used to surviving by yourself.”
Aria looks back at him, stunned at how easily he read her.
“Do not pretend you understand me.”
He takes another step toward her.
“I understand more than you think.”
She tries to speak, but his nearness makes everything inside her unsteady. He is too close. Too calm. Too dangerous in a way that is not physical.
“Xavier…” she says quietly.
He lifts his hand. Not touching her. Just letting his fingers hover near her jaw. A breath away. A whisper away.
“I will keep you safe,” he says. “But I cannot do that if you keep your past locked away.”
“There is nothing to tell,” she lies.
His eyes darken. “You are lying.”
Aria’s throat tightens.
He lowers his hand, but the damage is done. The air between them is charged, electric, thick.
“Why do you even care?” she blurts out. “You have no reason to protect me like this.”
His silence lasts too long.
Then he answers.
“I do not need a reason.”
The words hit her harder than anything he has said before.
Before the moment can deepen, Elara appears at the edge of the hall.
“Sir,” she says softly. “Security found something outside.”
Xavier’s posture changes instantly. Protective again. Controlled again.
“What did they find?” he asks.
Elara hesitates. “A message.”
Aria’s stomach drops. “A message for who?”
Elara looks at her.
“For you.”
Xavier’s eyes snap to Aria, sharp and furious.
“Stay here,” he tells her.
“No,” Aria says. “I want to see it.”
“Aria,” his voice is rough, “this is not a request.”
She meets his gaze. She has never spoken back to him like this.
“I want to see it.”
The air holds for a moment. A silent battle.
Then Xavier exhales slowly.
“Fine,” he says. “But you stay beside me.”
He motions her forward and she walks at his side, every step echoing with dread.
Somewhere deep in the mansion, security waits with whatever was left behind.
A message.
For her.
And when they reach it, everything Aria has been hiding
Everything she tried to outrun
Will no longer stay buried.
~~~~~
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