CHAPTER FOUR

Aria's POV

As much as I felt the adrenaline rush, I didn't go in right away. In all honesty, I was scared. Scared that there might be someone in there, waiting.  I just stood there, immobile on the porch, staring at the open edge of my front door hanging. My keys were sgaking in my hand as I held them out, using the toe of my sneaker to push the door inward. The squeak of metal echoed louder than it ought to have and before I even stepped in, I came face to face with the havoc that had been done. 

Drawers were yanked out of their cabinets and tossed to the ground. Couch cushions overturned and my bookshelf turned over, paperbacks onto the tile. The scent of my vanilla candle still lingered, revoltingly sweet in the midst of the chaos.

But it was what turned my stomach to knots and ties that wasn't the mess. And I rummaged through the mess, I realised a folder was missing. It was my hospital folder. It contained my ultrasound photos, clinic appointments, and blood work. Etc

And it was gone.

My first reaction was denial. Maybe I'd moved it. Maybe Juno had… no... I'd put it there. I always put it there. And now someone else has moved it. Panic filled my lungs and I  retreated out of the apartment, one hand against my belly as if instinct could shield the baby. Maybe if I step out and come back it would be a dream. 

When I hit the sidewalk, a  black car pulled up to the curb and the window came down. And there he was.

Now he was pristine, cut-throat, dressed in a suit that must have cost more than I paid for rent. 

"Get in," he ordered.

I blinked. "Did you break into my home?"

“No. But someone obviously did,” he replied coolly, stepping out. His body was tense, restrained fury wrapped in money and power. “Don't worry, your valuables are inside. He only came for a document.  ”

“You have people watching me?”

“You’re carrying my child.” My stomach dropped. “You have something that belongs to me, Aria,” he said, eyes narrowing. “And now you’re my responsibility.”

I shook my head slowly, already moving away. "You don't get to just vanish after one night and suddenly come back as the hero."

"I didn't vanish." His jaw was clamped tightly. " I was dying of blood loss when you rescued me. If you hadn't, I'd be dead by now. But now I know what I would leave behind."

I folded my arms over my chest, my heart drumming loudly . "You didn't even tell me your name."

He leaned closer, his voice low. "Rico Zane."

My insides froze.bThe name exploded in my head like a bullet. Zane Industries. Wall Street's ghost king. The man people whispered about but never touched.

I mentally backed away before I physically did."No. You're lying."

"I don't have time to lie."

"This…this is insane," I panted. "You can't just pop in and be Zane"

"Well, I am and I'm surprised you never knew. Aria, I am here to give you protection." He said. "Come with me. Stay at one of my houses. You'll be safe there."

"And if I say no?" His eyes grew narrow. "Then I'll file an injunction. You'll be under legal action for keeping a child from the father."

My breath puffed out. "You wouldn't."

His tone fell a note. "Try me."

I stared at him, every cell in me shouting to get out. But my body was tired. My baby was real. And I had no other options.

I nodded tightly. "Okay. I'll go. For the baby."

He pushed the door open. "That's all I'm asking."

…..

Two days later, I was heading to Rico's penthouse. The drive was silent but heaving with emotions. 

I said nothing. Neither did he. But I felt his eyes on me more than once. As if he were trying to decipher me. As if I were a puzzle piece unable to fit the design of his world.

When we pulled up to the isolated driveway of the estate, I swallowed a gasp. The pent house was tucked away behind. It was expensive and surrounded by iron gates and towering trees. A mansion built not to impress but to keep to oneself.

Inside of it was all control. Dark leather, wood that gleamed, polished glass… It wasn't warm. It was calculated. Just like him.

He led me upstairs. The guest bedroom was lavish. Too big if you ask me. I didn't belong there. But despite that, I faced him, arms crossed over my body and asked him a question I had been keeping. 

"Why are you doing this?"

"For the child," he said without batting an eyelid.

"That's all?"

His silence spoke it all. "Do you even desire this baby?

He looked at my stomach. His words came slowly, "I didn't know I could want anything… until I saw you with that bump."

My breath hitched and the air shifted. But I never got a chance to reply, as his phone rang.

He looked at it, frowned, and his entire face changed.

"What is it?" I asked.

His countenance changed, his hand fell and his eyes met mine.

"Your name… it's Aria Lane right?” I nodded, having no clue.

He moved another step closer. "Your father. He was a government security man, wasn't he?"

Every emotion drained from my face. "How do you…"

Rico took careful steps, stopped right at my front and stooped low. Staring menacely, he let the bomb drop. 

"Aria… I do not sugarcoat things so I will tell you as it is. Your father murdered mine."