chapter thirteen

"Is there something wrong with him?" Bella signed, confusion, hurt, and anger weaving across her delicate features.

"It's complicated," Ace replied, a small smile forming on his lips one that tried to mask the hint of defeat buried deep beneath it. Bella was too naïve to notice.

…

This girl. Barely twenty-four hours with me, and already she's managed to hurt me so badly. I think my ribs are seriously broken. But no way am I going to a doctor. I am Riven Romano I don't need anyone to patch me up. If I do, they'll perceive me as weak.*

Riven thought to himself as he dressed, each motion deliberate, precise, and restrained. He slipped into a dark blue modern suit that molded perfectly to his broad frame sharp, powerful, dangerous. The fabric hugged his shoulders just right, neither too tight nor too loose. He looked every bit the man of authority he was composed, dominant, and impossible to ignore.

A faint scent of his cologne, rich with undertones of smoke and amber, lingered in the air an aroma that carried both power and warning.

Removing the bandage sling that had supported his arm, he let it rest briefly by his side. Appearing hurt in front of his enemies was out of the question. A sharp sting pulsed through his shoulder, but he barely flinched. This pain was nothing a mere echo of what he'd already endured in the past.

He adjusted his tie, straightened his collar, and lifted his gaze to the mirror.

The reflection that stared back at him was unreadable cold, flawless, and dangerously composed. His eyes, dark and unyielding, could slice through steel. Even in silence, they carried the promise of power… and vengeance.

The rain started to pour gently outside. The clouds grew dark as Mr. White and his most trusted men walked into the lion's den. Mr. White had brought more than three hundred guards to accompany him a show of force to prove Riven weak and pathetic.

Mr. White acted brave on the outside, but he was a small cat walking into a lion's den a much bigger, more dangerous beast. His heart sweated as the gates closed behind them.

Mr. White stared through the tinted windows at the luxurious villa laid before him. The elegance and class were beyond anything he was used to.

Who has this boy become? he wondered as one of his men opened the gate for him.

Ace stood silently by the door, his stare cold and grave like midnight a composure so rigid you would swear he was incapable of smiling. He took off his shades as Mr. White approached, posture tight and unreadable despite the thousand men gathered behind the older man. Ace stood alone to welcome them as Riven might have ordered.

"Ah, Mr. White. I see you brought so many men," Ace drawled, savoring the moment. "How do you expect Mr. Riven to take you seriously when you appear to be a…" He paused, smiling cruelly, "chicken. That's the word. Honestly, Mr. White — it's pathetic."

Ace reached toward Mr. White's face as if to mock him with the shades, but the guards blocked him, guns ready. Ace pretended to surrender, putting his hands up like it was all a game.

"Come on, it was just a harmless prank…" His tone was playful for a heartbeat, then dropped dead cold. "Do not ever threaten a king in his own territory," he warned, voice deeper and sharper than he'd intended, making the men around him visibly tremble.

Mr. White swallowed hard. "Where is my daughter?" he demanded, forcing his voice to sound colder than he felt.

"Why so eager to see her, Mr. White?" Ace asked, as if telling a story. "After all, today she's going to meet your true colors. Mmm today your cold, loving father will have to sell his daughter away. How loving."

"I am going back home with my daughter, and that's a promise," Mr. White threatened through clenched teeth. Rage simmered under his restraint.

"I don't want to burst that bubble for you, Mr. White, but I'm pretty sure Mr. Riven won't allow that. Whatever he wants, Riven gets." Ace's voice carried power. His words stung. "Anyway, where are my manners? Please come in. Bella is waiting for you, after all." He opened the door with a mocking bow.

Inside Riven's chambers, Bella sat, crying bitterly. Her tears had left her eyes bloodshot; her body trembled though there were no ropes it felt as if chains bound her.

Oh God, please help me. I don't know what's going on. I want to go home, Bella whispered a silent prayer. A tear fell on her black kicking-boots. She slowly looked up at Riven's face.

His expression was cold and calculated, but for a split second a shift of remorse flitted across him before he covered it. Rage filled Bella and she launched herself at him kicking, punching, pushing with everything she had. It was like throwing paper at a wall: she came away hurt and empty-handed.

Still, she didn't stop. She hit him again and again. Blood left her small knuckles, but Riven was not flinched; pain touched his body where her blows landed near his ribs. As she prepared another strike, Riven caught her hand. Her tiny hand felt like a newborn's in his palm soft and fragile.

His grip tightened, warning and unyielding. Bella was too hurt to care. If she could have screamed, she would have screamed at him.

Two hearts separate and uneven seemed to lock together in the silence. The air thickened; the room went quiet. The anger in their eyes spoke louder than any words ever could.

"You done?" Riven asked coldly, eyebrow raised. Bella glared at him, pulling her hand free in fury and, without hesitation, slapped him hard.

The slap rang across the room as Mr. White walked in. His face turned ashen. "Riven, better not be hurting my daughter or I swear I won't spare you," Mr. White's voice boiled with rage. Ace looked at him, eyes both promising and calculating. Mr. White might be old, and perhaps frightened, but he still stood as the head of his gang.

Would Riven harm a woman? Ace asked himself under his breath. He hoped not.

Back in the room, Riven shoved Bella toward the door, fists clenched, veins popping as he fought the impulse to hurt her. His cold brutality warred with something else why wasn't he slapping her back? What held him back?

"Darn it!" he cursed, clenching his teeth, hitting the wall near her ear so hard wood creaked. "You are going to regret that," he growled, his voice low and filled with warning. Bella's heart stuttered in fear.