Chapter 6: Dangerous Shadows

His phone vibrated on his desk, the screen flashing “Mother.” He let out a tired sigh before answering.

“Yes, Mother?”

“Aiden, darling,” her voice came through sharp and polished, like expensive crystal. “I hope you’re not still sulking about your brother’s welcome party. We need to move forward as a family.”

Aiden leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What do you want?”

“Two things,” she said crisply. “First, you will help your brother. Ethan’s release from prison is only conditional. There are still some… complications with the authorities. As the face of the company, you need to use your connections to get those charges fully dropped. He’s your blood, Aiden. Act like it.”

Aiden’s grip tightened on the phone. “He committed fraud and assault. I’m not cleaning up his mess again.”

His mother’s tone turned ice-cold. “You will. Because the second matter is far more important. I have found you a wife.”

Aiden froze. “Excuse me?”

“Her name is Sophia Harrington. Old money, excellent connections, and beautiful enough to stand beside you in public. The engagement announcement will be made next month. This marriage will stabilize our family’s image and bring in new investors.”

“I’m not marrying anyone,” Aiden growled.

A soft, dangerous laugh came through the line. “Oh, but you will. You’ve played around long enough with that little assistant of yours. It’s time to do your duty. Marry Sophia, secure the family legacy, and help your brother back into his rightful place. Or I will start reallocating shares. I still control a significant portion, remember?”

The threat hung heavy in the air.

“Mother—”

“Don’t disappoint me, Aiden. You’ve always been the responsible one. Prove it.”

The call ended with a click before he could respond. Aiden slammed the phone down, chest tight with rage. The walls of his office suddenly felt like they were closing in.

Lucy sat at her desk, staring at nothing. Aiden had changed so much. The man she once knew as Ethan — carefree, quick to smile — was now this brooding, intense version who kept her constantly off balance. She missed the old him, yet the new version pulled her in deeper.

Shaking off the thoughts, she dove into Mr. Rogers’ file again. The deeper she dug, the clearer the fraud became: millions in goods delivered, payments rerouted or missing entirely. This wasn’t a mistake. It was theft.

In the boardroom the next day, Lucy couldn’t stay silent. As Mr. Rogers smiled smugly across the table, she stood.

“Mr. Rogers,” she said firmly, “you claim loyalty, yet millions in goods were delivered without corresponding payments. The records show clear manipulation. Explain yourself.”

The room went dead silent.

Mr. Rogers’ face twisted. “How dare you accuse me, little girl? These are baseless lies. I will sue this company into oblivion if you continue this nonsense.”

Aiden’s expression darkened. After the meeting, he dragged Lucy into his office.

“What the hell was that?” he hissed. “Mr. Rogers is our biggest client. One more stunt like that and you’re fired, Lucy. Do you understand? Fired.”

Lucy held her ground. “He’s stealing from us, Aiden. I have proof.”

“Fix it,” he warned coldly."

That night, armed with fresh evidence, Lucy drove to Aiden’s villa. The bodyguard let her in after she insisted it was urgent. He led her to a room. Dark.

The study was thick with the scent of aged tobacco and sandalwood. Only a single amber lamp glowed, casting long, dangerous shadows across the walls.

“Sir, I came to talk about Mr. Rogers—”

He rose slowly, powerful muscles shifting in the low light. The cigarette glowed as he took a drag, then stubbed it out. He approached her without a word, eyes dark with hunger.

“Aiden, wait—”

His hands gripped her waist, pulling her flush against his bare chest. Heat radiated from his skin. Before she could protest further, his mouth crashed down on hers in a bruising kiss. His tongue invaded, demanding surrender as one hand slid down to grip her hip possessively.

Lucy moaned involuntarily, caught between shock and sudden desire. His lips moved to her neck, sucking and biting, while his fingers traced the curve of her breast through her blouse.

“We shouldn’t…” she gasped, even as her body arched into him. “I came to show you the files… the fraud…”

“Later,” he growled against her throat, voice rough. He lifted her onto the desk, stepping between her thighs. His hand slipped under her skirt, caressing higher, teasing. “Right now, I want you.”

Lucy’s head spun. This felt like Aiden — the intensity, the dominance — yet something felt slightly off. The cigarette. The way he moved. Still, the pleasure clouded her judgment.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured, lips brushing her ear as his fingers found her most sensitive spot, stroking skillfully. “Or stay and enjoy it.”

She bit her lip hard, torn. Part of her wanted to push him away and run. The other part — the one aching with weeks of built-up tension — wanted to let him take her right there on the desk.

“I… I don’t know,” she whispered breathlessly, hips moving against his hand despite herself. The conflict made every touch more electric. His mouth claimed hers again, deeper, hungrier, as the room grew hotter.

She was balancing on the edge of surrender when fear finally won. Lucy shoved him back with all her strength and ran, heart thundering, lips swollen, body still burning with unfulfilled need.