Chapter 13:A Forbidden Attraction
546 Words
The silver necklace remained on Damien’s desk long after everyone had left the office.
Neither he nor Aria spoke as they stared at the threatening note. The silence between them was heavy, filled with fear and unanswered questions.
Finally, Damien broke it.
“You’ll stay inside the mansion until we find The Raven.”
Aria looked up at him.
“So, I’m a prisoner now?”
“No,” Damien replied. “You’re under my protection.”
She sighed.
“You keep saying that, but every day I spend with you, my life becomes more dangerous.”
Damien lowered his eyes.
“I know.”
“Then why don’t you send me away?”
His answer came almost instantly.
“Because they would find you before you reached the city.”
Aria knew he was right. As much as she hated admitting it, the mansion was the safest place she could be.
That afternoon, Damien suggested they take a walk through the estate’s private gardens. Security guards watched discreetly from a distance, giving them enough space to talk.
The gardens were peaceful, with colorful flowers blooming along winding stone paths. A gentle breeze carried the scent of roses through the air.
“It’s beautiful here,” Aria said softly.
“My mother designed these gardens,” Damien replied. “She believed flowers reminded people that beauty could exist even after the harshest winters.”
“You miss her.”
“Every day.”
Aria stopped walking.
“I’m sorry.”
Damien looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice.
No one had spoken to him with such kindness in years.
Without thinking, Aria reached out and gently took his hand.
“You don’t have to face everything alone.”
For a moment, Damien forgot about the threats, the enemies, and the burden of leading the Voss family. All he could think about was the warmth of her hand in his.
Slowly, he intertwined his fingers with hers.
Their eyes met.
The world around them seemed to disappear.
Damien leaned forward ever so slightly, his heart urging him to close the distance between them.
But before he could, the sound of a phone ringing shattered the moment.
Victor’s urgent voice came through.
“Sir, we’ve found Marco.”
Damien immediately stepped back, his expression turning serious.
“Where?”
“At one of the old Voss warehouses near the docks.”
“I’m on my way.”
He ended the call and turned to Aria.
“I have to leave.”
She nodded, though disappointment flickered across her face.
“Be careful.”
Damien hesitated before gently brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.
“I always am.”
As he walked toward his car, neither of them realized they were being watched.
Hidden among the trees, a camera lens captured every moment they had shared.
Miles away, inside a dimly lit room, The Raven studied the photographs with a cold smile.
“So,” he murmured.
“The mighty Damien Voss has finally found someone to love.”
He tossed the photos onto the table.
“That will make breaking him much easier.”
The forbidden attraction between Damien and Aria had become their greatest strength…
And their enemies’ greatest weapon.
- Writer
