Married To The Devil That Bought Me

CHAPTER5

The silence after Lucien’s words was heavier than the gunfire that had destroyed his mansion. Don’t touch my wife. Aria stared at him. Her chest rose and fell too fast. Wife? she whispered, barely audible. You keep saying that it means something real. Lucien didn’t look at her, not even once. His focus stayed on the road, hands tight on the steering wheel, jaw locked like he was holding back something dangerous. On the phone, the voice laughed softly. You always were dramatic, Lucien.Aria froze, That voice, It didn’t sound like an enemy. It sounded familiar, too familiar. Lucien’s expression darkened instantly. Where is she? he asked coldly, A pause.Then the voice replied, Close enough for you to hear her scream. Aria’s stomach dropped. What? she whispered. Lucien’s grip tightened. You touch her and I’ll burn everything you built, he said quietly. The voice chuckled again. You already did that years ago. The call ended, Beep, Silence. Aria turned sharply. Who was that? she demanded. Lucien didn’t answer. That wasn’t a normal threat, she pressed. They knew you, They know you. Still nothing, her frustration snapped. Stop treating me like I don’t deserve answers! The car swerved slightly. Lucien finally spoke ,because answers get people killed.Aria laughed bitterly, I’m already being killed slowly by ignorance and silence then, The car slowed. Aria looked out, a warehouse,old, rusting.Hidden in the middle of nowhere, What is this place? she asked instantly. Lucien stopped the car, Stay inside, No. He turned to her sharply, Aria, Hearing her name in his mouth felt strange, Dangerous, Commanding, She hesitated But shook her head. I said no, Lucien stared at her for a long second then, He opened the door and stepped out. That alone made her uneasy because Lucien Moretti didn’t leave situations without control. She followed him anyway, Of course she did. The moment her feet hit the ground, she felt it.The air was too still, Too quiet.Lucien walked ahead without waiting. Aria rushed after him, Why are we here? she demanded, He didn’t answer.They reached the warehouse door, It was already open.Aria stopped. That’s not normal, she whispered Lucien stepped inside. Aria hesitated only a second before following., Inside. Darkness, Then light flickered on. Aria froze, Rows of men, Armed, Waiting and at the center, a chair, Someone sitting on it Clapping slowly. Oh,the man said. You came. Aria’s breath stopped.Because she recognized him, Not fully But enough. The voice from the phone, The same calm tone. Lucien didn’t react but his entire body tensed. Adrian, he said coldly. The man smiled, So that was his name, Adrian.He stood slowly, tall, in a polished suit. Danger disguised as elegance. Aria stepped back instinctively. Lucien, she whispered, Adrian looked at her. Then smiled wider. So this is her, Lucien stepped forward slightly. Don’t look at her, Adrian chuckled. Still possessive, I see Aria frowned. Who are you? she demanded, Adrian tilted his head, You don’t remember me?Silence. Aria stared harder, Nothing. I don’t know you, she said firmly. That made Adrian smile faintly. That’s what makes this interesting. Lucien’s voice dropped dangerously. Why are you here? Adrian spread his arms slightly. To collect what belongs to the Circle. Aria stiffened, That name again. Lucien’s expression darkened further, She’s not yours, Adrian laughed softly. She is exactly ours. Aria felt her blood turn cold. Stop talking about me like I’m an object, she snapped, Adrian looked at her again. This time more carefully. You really don’t know, do you? Know what? Lucien moved instantly, Enough but Adrian ignored him, Instead, he pulled out a folder and threw it onto the floor, right in front of Aria. Her heart pounded. Open it, Adrian said, Lucien stepped forward. No.Aria looked between them, What is this? Adrian smiled, Your life. That word again, Aria’s fingers shook as she bent down. Lucien grabbed her wrist. Don’t. She looked up at him. For the first time, he looked uncertain.That scared her more than anything. Why? she whispered. Lucien didn’t answer. That silence made her stomach drop. Slowly she pulled her wrist free and opened the folder.Her breath stopped, photographs. Her as a child, Different locations,Different men watching her, Documents, Files,Dates, Her heart pounded harder. This is impossible, she whispered.Adrian’s voice cut in. You’ve been monitored since birth.Aria shook her head violently,No, no, that’s not real. That’s, Lucien interrupted quietly, It is.That single word shattered something inside her. She looked up at him. You knew.Lucien didn’t deny it. Aria’s voice broke. You KNEW?Silence. Adrian watched them like it was entertainment. Aria stepped back slowly. You sold me, she whispered, horrified. You bought me knowing this? Lucien stepped forward. That is not what happened. Then explain it, A loud sound echoed outside,BOOM. The warehouse shook, Aria screamed and stumbled. Gunfire erupted instantly, Adrian didn’t even flinch. Instead, he smiled. They’re early,he said calmly.Lucien turned sharply. You brought them here.Adrian shrugged, I invited them, Aria’s breath hitched.What? Adrian looked at her again. You were never supposed to leave the system, Aria.Lucien moved instantly but too late. The warehouse doors exploded inward.Armed men flooded in, Chaos erupted immediately. Aria screamed as Lucien pulled her behind him, Stay down!,he ordered. I don’t even know what is happening anymore,she shouted. Lucien fired,One man dropped,Then another But there were too many. Adrian stepped back calmly, watching. This is the real world, Aria, he said. You just never saw it before.Aria grabbed Lucien’s arm. What is he talking about?Lucien didn’t answer, He was focused, Too focused.Then One of the attackers broke through, Straight toward Aria.She froze, Lucien turned but not fast enough.The man grabbed her. Aria screamed, “LUCIEN!Gunshot But it didn’t come from Lucien.It came from Adrian. The attacker dropped instantly. Aria froze, Adrian had just saved her, Lucien looked at him,Cold,Dangerous. You interfered, Lucien said quietly. Adrian smiled faintly. I decided she’s more useful alive. Aria stepped back. Stop talking about me like I’m , another explosion.The ceiling cracked, Debris fell.Aria stumbled, Lucien grabbed her instantly. We’re leaving, he said sharply. Adrian stepped aside but before Lucien could move Adrian spoke again, Louder,Clearer.I told them where she was, Aria froze, Lucien stopped, Slowly turned and then Adrian smiled,"They're already coming for her. A deep rumble echoed outside not gunfire, Not explosions, Something heavier. Aria looked toward the entrance. What is that sound? she whispered. Lucien’s expression darkened completely because he recognized it and for the first time, his voice dropped low. Armored convoy. Aria’s blood turned cold and then Adrian added softly, "Your father is here.