Chapter 3: Just a Job
1200 Words
I told myself this was just a job.
I repeated it in my head as I walked away.
Just a job.
Nothing more.
But my hands were still shaking.
Damon Blackwood’s voice stayed with me. Calm. Sharp. Like he had pressed a blade against my thoughts and left it there. I told myself I was imagining it. I told myself I had survived worse men.
Still, my chest felt tight.
I didn’t go home. I never did after meetings like that. I went where Victor always summoned me. When I arrived, he was already waiting. Of course he was.
“You look pale,” he said.
“I met him.”
Victor smiled. “And?”
“He’s not careless,” I replied. “He watches everything.”
“I told you that.”
“You didn’t tell me he would see through me in five minutes.”
Victor leaned back. Relaxed. Too relaxed. “He didn’t.”
I looked at him. “He ordered a background check.”
Victor’s smile widened. “Good.”
That wasn’t the reaction I expected.
“That’s good?” I asked. “If he digs deep”
“He won’t find anything that matters.” Victor waved a hand. “Everything important is buried.”
My stomach twisted. “You’re too confident.”
“I’m experienced,” he corrected. “Now. Tell me about him.”
I hesitated. Just for a second.
Victor noticed. He always did.
“Careful,” he said. “You don’t hesitate with me.”
“I’m choosing my words.”
“That means you’re hiding something.”
I lifted my chin. “I told you. He’s sharp. Controlled. He doesn’t smile.”
Victor laughed softly. “That’s Damon.”
“He doesn’t trust easily,” I continued. “He doesn’t like secrets.”
Victor’s eyes gleamed. “And you’re full of them.”
I ignored that. “He placed me under direct supervision. No intermediaries.”
“That’s better than I hoped.”
I stared at him. “Better?”
“It means he wants you close.”
“He wants to watch me.”
Victor shrugged. “Same thing.”
I clenched my fists. “You said this would be simple.”
“I said it would be worth it.”
“That’s not the same.”
Victor leaned forward. “Aria. Do not confuse discomfort with danger. This is how power feels when you’re near it.”
I swallowed. “You didn’t tell me who he really is to you.”
Victor’s gaze hardened. “I told you he’s my enemy.”
“You didn’t tell me why.”
Silence settled between us.
Then Victor smiled again. Slower this time. Colder.
“Damon Blackwood took something from me.”
My heart skipped. “What?”
“My future,” he said calmly. “My plans. My legacy.”
I frowned. “That’s vague.”
“On purpose.”
“You’re asking me to step into something bigger than you promised.”
Victor tilted his head. “I promised you survival.”
I felt anger rise. “You promised me freedom.”
He laughed. “Freedom is earned.”
“By risking my life?”
“By proving your value.”
I took a shaky breath. “What exactly do you want me to tell you?”
“Everything,” Victor said. “What he says. What he fears. Who he trusts.”
“He doesn’t fear,” I replied before thinking.
Victor raised a brow. “Everyone fears something.”
I looked away.
“Ah,” Victor said softly. “You noticed something.”
I stayed silent.
“Tell me.”
“He’s… guarded,” I said. “Not arrogant. Careful. Like he’s waiting for betrayal.”
Victor smiled. “Because he expects it.”
“From you?” I asked.
Victor’s eyes darkened. “From the world.”
That answer unsettled me.
“He mentioned honesty,” I added. “He values it.”
Victor laughed again. “That will be his weakness.”
I shook my head. “No. His weakness is control. He doesn’t like losing it.”
Victor studied me. “You sound impressed.”
“I’m observant,” I said quickly.
“Or conflicted.”
I snapped my gaze back to him. “Don’t start.”
Victor stood and walked closer. “You’re already closer to him than I expected.”
“That’s because he’s dangerous,” I said. “He’s not like the others.”
Victor stopped in front of me. “No. He’s worse.”
The word lingered.
“Why do you hate him so much?” I asked.
Victor smiled without warmth. “Because he thinks he’s untouchable.”
“And you want to prove he’s not.”
“Yes.”
I hesitated. “What happens when you succeed?”
Victor’s eyes flicked to mine. “He falls.”
“And me?” I asked quietly.
“You’ll be free.”
I wanted to believe him. I really did.
“I gave you what I could,” I said. “But I can’t rush this.”
Victor’s voice hardened. “You don’t set the pace.”
“I can’t push him without raising suspicion.”
“You’ll find a way,” Victor replied. “You always do.”
A chill ran through me.
“I need time,” I insisted.
Victor leaned closer. “Time is a luxury you don’t have.”
My heart pounded. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” he said softly, “that Damon Blackwood is moving faster than I anticipated.”
I froze. “How do you know that?”
Victor smiled. “Because he’s already looking into you.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“You said that didn’t matter,” I whispered.
“It doesn’t,” Victor said. “Unless you’ve been lying to me.”
“I haven’t.”
“Good.” He paused. “Then there’s nothing to fear.”
I didn’t believe him.
“You seem tense,” Victor continued. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Victor studied me for a long moment. Then he nodded.
“Very well,” he said. “For now.”
That “for now” felt like a threat.
“Go,” he added. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, you’ll start earning your freedom.”
I turned to leave.
“Aria,” he called.
I stopped.
“You remember where you came from, don’t you?”
My chest tightened.
“I remember,” I said.
“Good.” His voice dropped. “Because I remember too.”
I walked out with my heart racing.
Just a job, I told myself again.
Just a job.
But my mind replayed Damon’s gaze. His questions. His certainty.
He was not careless.
He was not blind.
And Victor’s final words echoed in my head.
I remember too.
What exactly did he remember?
As I stepped into the night, one terrifying thought took hold: what if Victor knew more about my past than he had ever admitted?
- Writer
