The touch of glass

ChapterTwo

Aria stayed curled against Dante's chest. Her hand rested over his heart, feeling the slow, heavy rhythm replacing the adrenaline that had fueled their escape. Outside the small oval window, the dark expanse of ocean gave way to towering, snow-capped peaks rising like jagged black teeth into the moonlight.

We’re close,Dante said softly, his voice a low rumble against her hair.Aria shifted, looking up at his sharp profile. The Pyrenees estate. Is it safe?It doesn't exist on any map, public or private,Dante replied, his thumb tracing the soft skin of her wrist. The ground is ringed by thermal dead-zones and automated defenses. If Apex tries to bring breach teams there, they won't even make it past the tree line.And us? she asked, her voice dropping. What happens when we land?

Dante looked down at her, his pale eyes darkening with an emotion so intense it made her pulse jump.

When we land, Aria, the rules change,he said, his leather-wrapped hand closing gently over hers. No more hiding in sub-basements. No more pretending this is about a formula. You stay by my side.

The helicopter began its steep descent, banking hard into a hidden valley carved deep between two shear rock faces.Below them, buried into the side of the mountain like a fortress of dark slate and towering glass, stood the estate. Modern, isolated, and cold yet illuminated by a warm, golden light spilling from the floor-to-ceiling windows into the falling snow.The aircraft touched down on the private pad with a soft hydraulic hiss.Before the rotors even began to slow, Dante unbuckled her harness, lifted her into his arms, and stepped out into the freezing mountain air.

Aria gasped as the icy wind cut through her clothes, instinctively burying her face into the curve of his neck. Dante held her tight against his chest, shielding her body with his heavy wool coat as he carried her across the snow-covered stone portico.

The massive timber doors swung open automatically, sealing shut behind them the second they stepped inside.

The heat of the grand hall hit them instantly. A massive stone fireplace crackled at the far end of the room, casting long, amber shadows across dark hardwood floors and minimalist furniture.

Dante didn't set her down. He carried her straight toward the hearth, placing her gently on the thick plush rug before the fire. He sank to his knees beside her, his hands immediately working to untie her wet shoes.

Dante, I can—

Let me, he interrupted smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument, though his hands were incredibly gentle as he peeled the damp leather from her feet.

Aria watched him. The powerful mogul who bought trade networks and commanded armies of security personnel was kneeling in the firelight, carefully rubbing the chill from her skin.You're shaking, he murmured, his hands sliding up her calves, his heat soaking into her chilled skin.

It's not from the cold, Aria whispered.

Dante’s hands went still. He slowly raised his head, his gaze locking onto hers. The firelight flickered across his face, highlighting the hard lines of his jaw and the dangerous, quiet focus in his eyes.

Then tell me what it's from, Aria, he challenged softly, leaning in until his breath warmed her lips. Tell me to stop, and I will.

Aria looked at his mouth, then reached out, her fingers tangling into the thick hair at the back of his neck, pulling him that final inch toward her.

Don't you dare stop, she breathed against his skin.Dante let out a low, ragged growl, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her flush against him on the rug. His mouth claimed hers in a slow, deep kiss that tasted of fire and raw surrender, erasing every mile of the night behind them.

Aria opened up to him completely, her hands sliding beneath his coat, needing to feel the heat of his skin, needing the absolute certainty that they were both still alive.

Then, high above them in the quiet expanse of the estate, a single electronic chime echoed down from the master control console.

Dante froze mid-kiss, his body instantly going rigid over hers.Aria opened her eyes, breathless. What is that?Dante slowly pulled back, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the dark staircase leading to the upper gallery. The warm golden lights in the hall suddenly dimmed, shifting to a soft, pulsing amber.

The perimeter defenses weren't breached,Dante said, his voice dropping into that terrifying, cold register. Someone bypassed the security codes from the inside.

A slow set of deliberate, heavy footsteps echoed from the balcony above them.

A woman's voice, smooth as silk and dripping with cold satisfaction, drifted down into the firelit room.You always did have terrible taste in hideouts, Dante.

Aria sat up quickly, her back pressing against Dante's chest as his hand moved instinctively to shield her.Standing on the upper landing, wrapped in a tailored white coat and holding a encrypted datapad, was a woman Aria recognized instantly from her past at Apex BioTech.

It was Dr. Eliora the woman who had ordered the fire in Zurich. And the woman who was supposed to be dead.