ARIA’S POV
“What do you want?” I asked. My voice was still shaky and loose. I cleared my throat. Marcus Blackwell walked further into the room, studying the simple furnishing.
“Cozy,” he muttered.
His eyes finally landed on me. He studied my rat nest hair, my smeared makeup, and pudgy eyes, and grunted in his throat.
“Wow. Damien really did a number on you.”
My cheeks colored. I wanted to turn away, but something told me I shouldn’t be embarrassed by the way I look. They had already seen the worst of me. Damien made sure of that.
“Thank you, sir. Now, would you please tell me why you’re here, and then you can leave? He appeared surprised at my edgy tone. He chuckled low in his throat.
“You should see Damien. He’s a wreck.”
A small, tiny ball grew steadily in my chest, burning with
