Chapter 5: She Belongs To Me

Alexander's POV

The four men froze, when they saw my men. They were outnumbered and outgunned. The leader looked around, his eyes wide behind his mask. He realised he had walked into a trap.

One by one, the intruders let their weapons clatter onto the marble floor. My men rushed in, pinning them down and zip-tying their hands.

Two of my guards grabbed Mila, pulling her away to safety. She was crying, shaking, and alive.

"Aria!" Mila sobbed, running toward the stairs.

Aria didn't wait. She ran down the stairs, throwing her arms around her neck.

I followed slowly, my eyes locked on the captured men. I felt a sense of victory, but it wasn't over yet.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, looking at the unknown number on the screen.

I answered it, putting it to my ear.

“Hello.”

"Mr Sterling," a voice drawled. It was deep, distorted by a machine, and completely heartless. "I see you’ve captured my little foot soldiers. You can keep them or kill them if you like. I don't care about trash."

I stiffened, my hand clenching into a fist. "Are you the boss?”

“Smart boy.” He chuckled softly.

“Nevertheless, you have something that belongs to me," the voice continued. "Aria Bennett. Or maybe you call her Isabella Grey? It doesn't matter. She’s still mine.”

He paused. “This is just the beginning, Alexander. If you refuse to hand her over to me peacefully, I will tear your world apart until I get her back."

I looked at Aria, who was still holding Mila, her face pale as she watched me. My blood boiled; the thought of anyone taking her away again, especially a man who talked about her like she was his property, made me want to burn the world down.

"Listen to me, you coward," I hissed. "You will never have her. Not in this life, and not even in your dreams. If you ever come near my gates again, I will hunt you down myself."

The man laughed, a dry sound, and the line went dead.

I looked at my men. "Take these rats to the basement. I want names and locations.”

"Yes, sir," they responded simultaneously, leading the prisoners away.

I walked over to Aria. She looked up at me, her blue eyes full of questions.

"Mr Sterling", her voice trembled as she moved a step closer to me. "Who was that?"

I reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. I didn't care if she was Aria or Isabella. At that moment, I knew I would do anything to keep her safe.

……….

The next morning, the sun began to peek over the rugged Queensland horizon, turning the sky into a bruised sky blue and gold. The estate was still crawling with security men, moving from one direction to the other.

I looked at the wreckage of my front doors and felt a cold, hard knot in my chest. That phone call still echoed in my ears. ‘She belongs to me.'

"No," I whispered to myself. "She belongs to no one but me."

I turned to James, who was busy coordinating the work I gave him. "Pack the bags. We’re leaving. Now."

"Sir, where are we going?" James asked, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“The City Residence," I said. "The penthouse isn't enough. We’re going to the North Shore estate.”

James knew which house I meant. It was the matrimonial home I had built for Isabella five years ago. It was a fortress, monitored by the highest-grade military tech, surrounded by my private security.

It was twice as large as this one and ten times more secure. Most importantly, it was the place where Isabella and I had spent our happiest days.

If Aria were being hunted by the boss, that was the only place on earth where I could guarantee she wouldn't be touched.

I walked into the living room, where the New York architectural team was huddled together. They looked exhausted, terrified, and ready to bolt. Ethan was pacing, his face pale; Mark sat with his head in his hands. While Aria and Mila were sitting on a sofa in the corner.

Aria was holding a glass of water, her eyes fixed on the floor. She looked small, but there was a tension in her shoulders that told me she was ready to spring into action at any moment.

“Ethan, Mark, Mila", I said, my voice commanding the room. "The contract is over."

Ethan looked up, startled. "What? But Mr Sterling, we haven't even finished the site analysis!"

“I don't care about the building anymore." I stepped forward into the centre of the room. "This situation has become dangerous. Someone is targeting your fellow architect. For your safety, I am sending you back to New York immediately. My private jet is waiting at the terminal."

"But Aria…" Ethan started.

"Aria is staying here," I interrupted. My gaze shifted to her. "She is the centre of this storm. If she leaves with you, she puts all of you in danger.

“Here, I can protect her. But in New York, she’s an open target."

“Never!” Aria stood up, staring deep into my eyes. I knew that look; it was ready to kill anybody that came in its way.

“I'm going back with them.”

I pulled a leather chequebook from my pocket and scribbled a figure that made Ethan’s jaw drop.

"This is for the firm. A hundred million dollars as compensation for the cancelled project and the... distress you've faced. Consider it a gift for your silence."

Mark gasped. Ethan stared at the cheque, then at me with his gaze wideband.

"Pack your things," I said. "James will escort you."

The men scrambled to gather their belongings, lured by the promise of safety and a massive payday. But as they stood to leave, Aria came closer to me, holding the collar of my shirt with her reddish eyes.

"Mr Sterling, if I don't leave with them today, I will never forgive you,” she said firmly.