Shadows and Secrets.

Aria's POV.

A graveyard silence fell on the table at Liam’s words and the invisible noose around my neck tightened, turning my body briefly into stone.

Liam’s cutting words were meant to shock me into silence and I’ll be damned before I let that happened. I tilted my head a little, and let a slow cutting smile curve my lips as I watched him, “Did you say that to shock me, Mr. Taylor?”

A flicker of surprise passed Liam’s face, clearly not expecting my reaction. He cleared his throat shortly. “I was just stating mere facts, Miss, Walker.”

I arched a taunting brow. “Really? Then I suppose I can tell everyone here right now how you approached me to spy on Daniel on your behalf.”

Liam went ashen as shocked gasps and whispers erupted around the table. “T—that’s not true.” He stammered, darting frightened eyes around the table.

Daniel touched my exposed back, trailing warm fingers distractedly over the length of my spine. “And when did this happen?”

“During the charity event.” I answered over the rim of my wineglass, grateful for how steady my voice came out despite my thundering pulse which increased under Daniel’s barely-there touches. “He offered to pay me.”

Daniel fixed a faint smile on his lips. “I see.” He glanced back at Liam with empty eyes, his faint smile turned sinister even with his relaxed smile. “And what can you say for yourself?”

“She’s obviously lying. You can’t possibly believe her over me, do you? We’ve been friends for years, Daniel! This entire situation is beyond insulting.” Liam spat.

Daniel stared grimly at Liam for a few awkward moments before chuckling freely. The other guests joined, laughing awkwardly at Daniel’s free laughter until he slowed to a stop. “You’re right, Liam. I apologize for my words. We’ve come so far to let anything get between us.”

Liam relaxed visibly, grinning from ear to ear as he sat.

I turned shocked eyes to stare at Daniel’s impassive face. He didn’t look at me even though his large warm hand remained at the base of my spine, still stroking. “Fucking look at me, damn it!” I screamed mentally at him, willing him to meet my gaze.

He did, without a second thought. Cold, emotionless.

There was no trace of his usual playfulness and charm. I didn’t like it. And disliked the smug expression on Liam’s face and the fact that Daniel made me look stupid in front of everyone.

Daniel resumed talking to others, and I stood abruptly, briefly interrupting the conversations, muttered a polite, stupid excuse then left the guests without sparing Daniel a single glance.

My throat constricted with unshed tears as I stumbled blindly into the nearest restroom. I couldn’t breathe through the helpless tears threatening to slide down my cheeks. I couldn’t risk ruining my make up because Daniel decided to humiliate in front of everyone.

“Daniel Kane really is something.” A muffled voice came from the other side of the door, followed by the sound of a lighter being flicked open. A few seconds later, the mild scent of cigarettes crept into the restroom.

My tears stopped. Curious, I pressed myself against the door to listen to the muffled conversations on the other side of the door.

“Tell me about it. I don’t blame his date for leaving the way she did. I would have emptied the bottle of wine on his head and called it a day.” The other woman’s companion.

The other person snorted. “You won’t be able to leave the dinner table before he puts a bullet in your head.”

“I heard he’s got ties to the criminal underworld and is involved in some shady criminal dealings. His business man image is a front.”

“Really? No wonder Liam looked ready to pass out under Daniel’s stare.” They burst out laughing for a moment before a phone buzzed, cutting their amusement short. “Carl’s asking for me. Let’s get going.”

The women walked out, completely unaware of my presence and the bomb they just dropped on me. The silence surrounding me tangled with curiosity as fear froze something in my heart. I knew Daniel was a ruthless tycoon but not this. Never this.

They were just rumours, yes. But behind every rumour is a bit of truth. The problem was, what version would I believe? When all was said and done, I didn’t really know who Daniel Kane was, and what he was capable of.

It felt like the higher I climbed into his world, the darker it became.

My phone buzzed, halting my train of thought. Glancing at the screen, an irritated sound escaped my throat as Ethan’s name popped up. “God, I can’t deal with this shit now.” I ignored the call.

But Ethan was nothing if not a persistent bastard.

At the fourth ring, I answered with a hiss, “What do you fucking want Ethan? Why are you calling me?”

“I know you’re with him.” He spat venomously.

“What does it matter to you who I hang out with? You were the one who screwed me over and ended our relationship, so you have no right to contact me for any reason.” I snapped.

“You were mine first!”

“And we are nothing now! Or have you forgotten that?!” I yelled, pausing to take a calming breath, summoning the last shred of patience I had left before exhaling slowly. “Do not contact me ever again, Ethan. Not even if you need a kidney, because I would happily watch you die than lift a finger to help you.”

“You’re going to —”

I ended the call abruptly then blocked the idiot’s number before moving to fix my face and hair in the mirror. I was out of the restroom in. Record time, making my way back to the guests…and Daniel.

Turns out dinner was long over but a few guests still lingered, chatting over drinks. Daniel sat away from the rest, staring into the glass containing a clear amber liquid. The air around him was impossible to tell.

He glanced up and locked his eyes with mine with a face wiped clean of emotion before rising silently, moving to stand in front me. Dark eyes searched my face quietly with a hint of amusement as he asked, “Are you done pouting?”

I gripped my purse tightly, wanting nothing more than to bash his head with it until it cracked open. “Find us a private place to talk.”

Daniel nodded, reaching for my waist to lead me.

“Don’t fucking touch me.” I stated. “Just lead the way.”

Hus hand fell away. “This way.” He muttered tersely, walking away.

I followed behind him, entering a secluded parlour with simple furnishings, closing the door behind me as Daniel shrugged off his blazer, tossing it aside before proceeding to loosen his tie and roll his sleeves over his forearms.

“What did you want to talk about?” he deadpanned, finally facing me.

“You knew I was right, Daniel. But instead of standing by me, you humiliated me in front of them.” My voice cracked on the last word, fury and hurt tangling in my throat.

His jaw tightened. He shoved his hands into his pockets, eyes narrowing like he was weighing every word I said. “I’ve known Liam longer than I’ve known you.”

I blinked, the words hitting like a slap. “I’d never lie to you. Never.” My voice wobbled, but I forced the words out like a challenge.

“I don’t know that.” He deadpanned. “Just like I don’t know your real motive for approaching me in the first place.”

A laugh scraped from my throat, bitter and dry, “Wow...” I whispered numbly, the pensive silence between us was thick. Tears clawed at my throat, hot and merciless, begging to spill and ruin the mask I fought to keep in place.

I hated how I felt and in that moment, I hated Daniel. More than I did Ethan.

“This was a mistake.” I muttered, tears wobbling my voice and burning my throat. “All of it...”

I turned away from Daniel’s blank face and aloof aura and stormed out of there. The cool night air blew against my face, cooling it a bit. I quickly ordered a Lyft, but my eyes ignored the memo to stop crying.

“Fuck this.” I choked, throwing my head back to stare at the night sky, rapidly blinking back tears.

“Miss?”

I snapped my head back in place to stare at the chauffeur who brought me here.

“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.

I quickly wiped a stray tear as my watery smile faltered with each attempt until I gave up. “No. No, that won’t be necessary…?

“Matthew.” He supplied.

“Matthew.” I repeated, smiling genuinely. “I’ve already ordered a ride.” The Lyft honked a little distance away, drawing my attention. Oh, thank God. I waved him goodbye before entering the car.

As the car pulled away, I saw a masked figure watching me in the distance from the shadows, right next to the marble pillars of the house and my pulse raced the moment recognition clicked.

It was the same masked person as before! The one from the charity event. What did they want from me?

“Shit, I hope I’m not being followed.” I whispered, heart lodged in my throat. Thankfully I wasn’t. I didn’t breathe properly until I was safely at home and behind closed doors.

I had turned on the alarm system when a series of notifications came through. I unlocked my phone with a frown and my heart crashed to the ground at the sight of my face splayed on multiple gossip blogs. They had linked a past secret I had long buried in my memories and twisted it into vicious lies.

I was basically painted as a gold digging whore, with a habit of seducing older men.

That was obviously a lie. But that long buried memory triggered me badly and the tears I was holding back flooded in full force. I had only told one person that secret a long time ago when I was drunk and vulnerable.

Ethan was the only person I had told.

“That fucking bastard!” I screamed, snatching the first thing I laid hands on and sent it flying at the full length mirror in my room, smashing it to pieces. “Fuck!” I sobbed, upturning my room in a fit for rage until I was spent.

My legs gave under me as I wept — hurt and heartbroken beyond words — feeling empty and blissfully numb. My phone buzzed again and I glanced at it to see a message from an unknown number:

“Leave Daniel Kane now, or you’ll both bleed for it.”