LOGINWITH MY LEGS UP
ARIA "I can't believe you're leaving me out of your plans today, Ari," Emma complained. I told Nico that I wouldn't let her find out about our tryst. And I wasn't about to spoil that just yet. "We'll catch up. Now, tell me something, how exactly did you know Nico?" "Well, he's my cousin's boss. Rich as fuck. Owns only the best clubs in Stonehaven and the entire United States of America. So I met him when my cousin introduced us, telling Nico that I was a good artist. I think I gave him the inspiration bottle for one of his breweries." "So he's an entrepreneur." "Yeah, and heading on to become the first trillionaire in that line of business." "Trillionaire? How is it even possible he comes out like that?" "Like how?" "Attend clubs? Isn't he worried he'd get mobbed?" "Oh, you mean paparazzied?" she scoffed, like that was the least of Nico's problems. "He is dangerous as well. So if I were anyone, I'd keep off." "Gotta go," I said, before Emma would poison my head with reasons why I should give Nico a wide berth. "Catch you later." It wasn't even up to 24 hours yet and my pussy was already craving for his touch again. And owing to the fact that my father just said we'd be staying in Stonehaven longer than expected, probably until he was done with whatever case he was working on, I knew I'd had ample opportunity to meet with Nico. That was if he would have me. I opened my wardrobe and selected a dress that I knew would fit my body perfectly, show off my shape but it wouldn't reveal too much. After all, I didn't think someone like Nico would be alone. The dress I picked had an open back, a slit in the leg and a low neckline that would bring any man's eyes where I wanted. It had a bold red color, and it was two of a kind. I had gotten the dress for myself a year ago and hadn't worn it again after Charles dumped me for someone else even before I left town. I was going to get the other deep emerald color as reinforcement but there wasn't enough time to dilly. I took my bath, put on some makeup, wore the dress and added some perfume for effect. I looked at myself in the mirror and I felt like someone a man would want to devour at first sight. Then I went to my father's closet and stole one of his coats. I took my handbag, locked the house and went to the address. *** "This is you," announced the cabbie. "You live here?" "No. My friend does." The cabbie whistled. "He's rich." We had stopped in front of a gated compound that was located on a private estate. The building itself was a mansion with glass walls, white stone, and sleek black accents. I pressed the button and a voice told me to wait for a minute. Soon a limousine arrived, picked me, and dropped me at the front door, where Nico stood waiting for me. There was a fleet of exotic cars and the driveway was lined with palm trees that looked as if they had been imported. I took off the coat, as the door opened itself. Then I got out and he walked towards me. He was wearing a velvety robe and I wondered if he had any other thing underneath. Nico flashed me a smile that disarmed me immediately. "You didn't call, lovely one." The way he called me lovely one, I felt desired. "I can trace an address," I told him. Nico took me in his arms and dropped kisses on both cheeks. "I wanted to show you around but I guess I'll let your trace somewhere on my body first." As I walked beside him, it felt like I was floating. Inside the house were floors made with marble, gold rimmed furniture and paintings. It was my first time of meeting someone who actually bought art pieces and kept them in his home. "Be warned," he whispered into my ear, just the way he had done in the restroom, making my pussy tingle. "My house is controlled my voice. If you say the wrong word while you moan, it just might happen." "You're joking," I told him. "I'm not." "You didn't configure my voice, did you?" "You'd be surprised at the things I am capable of, lovely one. Let's go up to my room. This floor has nothing to offer you yet." "What if I need a cup of water?" He placed my hand on his dick, which was already hardening. I gasped. "You'll drink my cum then." He carried me in his arms up to his room. There was a king sized bed and that was where he dropped me. But he didn't leave. "My friend told me that you are dangerous. Should I believe her?" He inclined his head to the left and kissed my neck. "I've been looking at this dress ever since you alighted. And it would be a pleasure to fuck you in it. The sensuality of your outfit would only make fucking you more... delicious. So, yes, I am a dangerous man, lovely one. And any man who can do what I do should be tagged as such." I used a hand to smoothen his hair. "That said, you don't seem dangerous to me, Nico. You seem like a man who knows how to drive a woman crazy. I like your kind of dangerous." Without any warning, he peeled his robe off his body, and yes, I had guessed right. He wasn't wearing anything underneath so I saw his nakedness for the first time. Broad chest and shoulders, abs, and pecs just the right size. I ran my hands over his body, feeling the tautness of flesh against bone. "You're powerful, daddy," I murmured. "And you are beautiful, lovely one." Nico pulled my legs close to him, put them above his head, bought out his already erect massive dick and rubbed it against my folds. I squirmed in pleasure. "That's it, lovely one. That's it. I am going to fuck you until you can't. walk, Then I am going to make you entirely mine.MAKING THE CHOICE ARIANot upward.Sideways.Revealing a hidden compartment.Inside rested a tiny brass key...And a folded strip of yellowed paper.No one spoke.I unfolded the paper.Only seven words had been written.The truth waits beneath the family chapel.Marcus looked up immediately."The chapel on the estate."Viktor nodded."I never knew.""Neither did I," Eleanor whispered.The hooded figure chuckled."Arthur always was three steps ahead."Adrian looked up sharply."You knew my grandfather well.""I did.""You worked with him.""I did.""You betrayed him."A long silence followed.Then the stranger answered."No.""I betrayed someone else."Before anyone could ask another question—A shrill beeping echoed through the station.Marcus looked toward Isaac's body.The remote.Its tiny red light had begun flashing.Sebastian's face drained of color."No one touched it."Marcus lunged toward it.The hooded figure didn't even try to stop him.Instead...The stranger slowly began
THE TRAITOR SPEAKSARIAMarcus slowly lowered his center of gravity, his eyes flicking between the remote and the stranger."What do you want?"The hooded figure looked directly at me."You.""I've never met you.""No.""But I've known about you since the day you were born."A chill crept down my spine.Behind me, my grandmother whispered, "Arthur..."Her voice trembled."He always feared this day."The figure gave a small nod."He was right to."Adrian stepped forward."No more games.""Take off the hood."The stranger chuckled."You've spent your whole life searching for answers.""You really think I'll give them away that easily?""I'll remove it for you."Adrian took another step.The pistol shifted toward him."You'll die before you reach me.""I've heard that before.""So have the men buried because they underestimated you."For the first time, I sensed genuine respect in the stranger's tone.Marcus leaned toward Viktor without taking his eyes off the hooded figure."Do you reco
123BLACKRIDGE ARIA My grandmother gasped."I know that handwriting.""So do I," Viktor said quietly.My fingers shook as I opened the envelope.Inside was a single sheet of paper.Only one sentence had been written.Trust no one who survived Blackridge.Below it...A signature.Not my grandfather's.Not my grandmother's.Someone else.I frowned."What is Blackridge?"The reaction around me was immediate.Marcus looked confused.Sebastian looked confused.But Viktor...And Eleanor...Both of them went completely still.Eleanor whispered one name."Oh, Arthur..."Viktor closed his eyes."He kept it from you.""What is Blackridge?" I repeated.This time, Viktor answered."It wasn't a place.""It was an operation."Thirty years ago.One that should never have happened....MARCUSI'd spent my career around classified operations.Military coups.Political extractions.Counterintelligence.The way Viktor said those words told me Blackridge wasn't ordinary.It was infamous.Isaac watched
122PRICE OF TRUTH ADRIAN His relaxed posture vanished.His jaw tightened.His breathing stopped.I couldn't see the picture clearly from where I stood.But Adrian could.Isaac watched him carefully."I finally found something that gets your attention."Adrian's voice became dangerously quiet."Where did you get that?""I think you already know.""No.""I want to hear you say it."Isaac smiled."It came from the person who sold your family."The station fell deathly silent.Viktor's eyes widened.Grandmother went pale.Marcus slowly looked toward Viktor...Then toward Eleanor...Because there was only one terrifying possibility left.The traitor wasn't dead.The traitor had been alive all along.And somewhere beyond the station, hidden in the shadows...The real mastermind was still watching.VIKTORThe photograph changed everything.I watched Adrian's face harden in a way I had never seen before.Not anger.Not grief.Recognition.Whoever was in that picture mattered more than the
121OF SHADOWS ADRIAN Two more bodies.Nineteen....A familiar voice echoed somewhere behind me."Aria!"Eleanor.Alive.Relief washed over me before I could stop it.For years I had imagined this moment differently.I had imagined accusing her.Demanding answers.Making her feel every lonely birthday.Every Christmas.Every nightmare.Instead...The moment I saw her...I saw only my mother.Older.Broken.Still carrying guilt that should never have belonged to her.Hatred had sustained me.Reality had weakened it.I wasn't sure whether that made me stronger...Or more vulnerable....A muzzle flash briefly illuminated the station.Just enough.I counted.Seven operatives advancing together.Using overlapping formations.Their commander wasn't panicking.Interesting.Very interesting.Someone competent remained in charge.A calm female voice cut through the darkness."Maintain formation.""He's hunting isolated targets.""Stay together."I frowned.A woman.Experienced.Patient.Sh
120THIRTY YEARS OFMARCUSThe temperature in the station seemed to drop.Viktor took one measured step forward."I wondered when you'd finally say it."Adrian's eyes burned with restrained fury."You were supposed to protect us.""I tried.""You failed.""I know.""No."Adrian shook his head."You didn't fail."His next words landed like a hammer."You betrayed us."Before anyone could react—A burst of automatic gunfire ripped through the station.Bullets struck the locomotive, showering sparks across the tracks."They're here!" Sebastian shouted.Black-clad operatives poured from both tunnel entrances.At least twenty.Far too many."Down!" I yelled.We scattered behind concrete pillars as gunfire erupted from every direction.Adrian didn't move.Instead, he slowly reached into his coat.One of the attackers shouted, "Target acquired!""Eliminate everyone!"Adrian sighed."I was hoping to finish the conversation first."He withdrew a small black device from his pocket.No larger th







