First Strike.

Aria POV.

“He’ll destroy you if you are not careful.”

That mysterious message and Elizabeth’s cryptic warning had been on my mind for the last past week, and I tried decoding the meaning until I had a splitting headache, so I stopped. I had other things to worry about.

Like Annette shamelessly trying to get on my nerves by flaunting her relationship with Ethan in my face every damn chance she got. And I wouldn’t lie, I came this close to scratching her eyes out.

The only thing that calmed me down was my plans for revenge. Yes, I know I failed last time, but this time would be different. This time, I will come prepared. After all, “Revenge tastes sweeter when served with lipstick and lies.”

“Excuse me?” Miranda asked, jolting me from my thoughts.

“Oh.” I looked around the meeting room, staring back at my co-workers giving me questioning looks, and my face heated up. “I’m sorry. I got lost in thought.” I muttered sheepishly, avoiding Miranda’s narrowed stare.

Miranda sighed, muttering something under her breath before resuming the meeting. “And that concludes the issue with the marketing department. Moving on, a handful of you will be selected to attend a gala on the company’s behalf by Friday a week from now.”

I perked up at the announcement.

“Benedict, Aria and Raven have been selected.” Miranda droned on only to be interrupted by Vivian who grumbled;

“Didn’t Aria attend the charity event last time?” she asked. “Why can’t another person attend?”

Miranda dropped her pen. “Great observation skills, Vivian.” She muttered sarcastically. “Unfortunately Aria has been mandated to attend by the host — Daniel Kane and his associates.”

My eyes slid shut and I released a shaky sigh, ignoring the fucking elephant in the room.

Miranda continued. “ The elected representatives should be adequately prepared. This is a chance to win investors to our company, and there will be benefits awarded for successful investments. Meeting adjourned.”

It took everything in me not to run and hide from the curious stares and the nasty whispers hovering around me and focus on work. If I kept my head low this excruciating week would pass by and the gala would come sooner.

And it did.

Benedict and Rayne were already busy selling smiles to potential investors, but I had a bigger prey in mind. I stood there engaging in light, meaningless chatter and the moment I grew bored, I moved away.

Goosebumps erupted my flesh the moment I felt Daniel standing behind me.

As usual, I pretended not to notice.

“Aria.” He murmured quietly only for my ears with a hint of amusement in his voice.

He was goading me and I wouldn’t fall for it. “Mr. Kane. A lovely gala you’ve put together.”

“Is it?” he asked, amusement lacing his tone.

Sipping from the champagne flute I gripped, I forced my voice to sound bored. “Why did you specifically request my presence, Mr. Kane?”

Daniel finally chuckled, his voice dropped with a low, seductive quality. “Why so formal? I thought we’ve moved past that given our last encounter?”

Memories I fought tooth and nail to forget came back in full force. I swallowed it down, grateful I didn’t lose composure. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” My gaze flew to Ethan and Annette basically all over themselves, posing for the cameras and an idea struck me.

This was my chance. So I went for it.

“Excuse me, Mr. Kane. But I have other business to attend to.” I told Daniel dismissively over my shoulder, smiling smugly at the dark expression on his face.

I timed it perfectly—one calculated stumble in my stilettos, the champagne flute slipping from my hand, liquid splashing down the neckline of my gown as gasps erupted across the glittering gala hall, and then suddenly Daniel Kane’s arm—strong, commanding—was around my waist, hauling me upright before I crumpled.

Just as I had planned it.

His hand splayed scandalously low against my bare back, heat searing through silk, his face close enough the press cameras caught the sharp angles of his jaw against my flushed cheek.

I leaned in, breathless, whispering a shaky “thank you” that looked far too intimate under flashing bulbs, and in that stolen second I let my lips curve into a slow, wicked smile meant not only for him, but broadcasted for the entire ballroom to see, before untangling myself from Daniel’s embrace.

I saw the dumbfounded expression on Ethan and Annette’s faces, watching Ethan narrow his eyes at the image his father and I clearly made, and smiled mysteriously to myself.

He’s angry.

Jackpot.

“Aria, are you alright?” Daniel asked, wrapping one arm around my shoulders as he guided me away from the many stares.

I shrugged out his hold, my heart pounding furiously at the sudden intimate air between us. “I’m fine.”

“Your dress is ruined.” He remarked softly.

I glanced down at the wet stain on my chest. “Oh. I’ll take care of it. And thank you for saving me.” Not waiting for his response, I made for the restroom, and took time to clean up my mess.

I had barely left the restroom when a reporter cornered me and began asking questions, clearly fishing for scandalous details. I gave them half truths, just enough to set the rumor mill on fire. Let them do the dirty work for me.

“You truly are fucking shameless.” Ethan seethed furiously. “I didn’t know you’d move so fast like some loose whore.”

My lips quirked up slowly as I turned to face him with a curious frown. “Do you think it’s wise leaving your lover to be alone with me? I’m fucking flattered.”

Ethan seized my arm, his grip like a vise. “Why don’t you admit you’re desperate for my attention and all this cheap stunt is a way to get me back?”

I scoffed at the sheer audacity in his smug tone, yanking my hand free from his grip. “I don’t take back deserted toys, Ethan. You of all people should know that.”

He took a menacing step forward. “Using my father to get back at me is low, even for you.”

I shrugged nonchalantly at that. “Your father seems pretty into it.” My smile twisted into something nasty and cruel as I leaned to whisper into his ear. “I’ll have him eating out of my hand in no time.”

I left Ethan standing there — a shaking, furious mess — and felt lighter. Happier.

“Miss Walker. May I have a word with you?” a deep voice asked, interrupting my happy thoughts.

My steps halted and I turned to face the stranger decked black formal attire with a slight frown. His dark hair threaded with silver was swept away from his face further emphasizing his handsome face.

“Can I help you?” I inquired, eyeing the man warily as he approached me.

“Liam Taylor.” He introduced, stretching a hand out for a handshake. When I didn’t return the gesture, it dropped carelessly to his side. “I saw the spectacle with Daniel and I think you would be interested with my proposition.”

I arched a brow. “Oh? And what is this proposition you speak of?”

Liam cleared his throat briefly, the smile stretching his lips made my skin crawl. “Since you’re close to Kane now, I was hoping you could help me with a favor or two; feed me anything you find on him, and whatever your price, I’ll pay.”

An unpleasant laugh escaped me, sounding awful even to my ears. “You really thought that would work on me? Don’t you hear how extremely dumb it sounds?”

Liam’s face changed from arrogant to confused to furious within seconds. “What did you say, you dumb bitch?”

“I can’t even get offended by that. Your ridiculous plan is insulting enough as it is.” I sighed, rubbing my temples at the beginning of a headache before fixing Liam a dark glare. “Never speak to me again about this.”

Pathetic vulture.

Ignoring the previous ordeals, I switched back to business mode and began my secondary assignment — securing investors. Apparently, my little stunt with Daniel had sprung up whispers which I used for my profit. Investors were just pawn in the grand scheme of things.

My skin pricked, heat crawling up my neck. His gaze was on me—I didn’t need to look to know.

The gala went on smooth sailing from there.

Later that night while I sat in front of the TV nursing a tub of ice-cream, my phone buzzed. It was an unknown number, and I almost let it ring out, but something made me swipe answer.

“Hello?”

There was a graveyard silence from the other end of the call, and then Daniel's smooth, dark liquid voice filled my ears. “Did you get home safe, Aria?”

I sat up straighter, my heart pounding furiously as my grip tightened on the phone. “How did you get my number?” I asked, ignoring the way his words slid over me like warm silk.

A low, lazy laugh crackled down the line, making my skin prickle. “I know everything about you, darling.”

The word ‘darling’ felt like a caress and a threat all at once.

I rolled my eyes, even as my frantic pulse betrayed me. “Then you know I don’t answer late-night calls from men who stalk me.”

“Mm. You’ll change your mind.” His tone dipped to a teasing almost dangerous whisper, that instantly made my breath hitch, and my body liquid with warmth. “Eventually you’ll tire of your own little games. And when you do…you’ll play by mine.”

The line went dead.