Chapter 4

My head snapped up, my mind buzzing. "It wasn't me!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Grayson, it was Lora who ran into a friend at the cafe and gave away the location of our council. Why are you pinning this on me?"

A flicker of panic crossed Grayson's face. He walked up to me. "Aria, watch what you say."

His hand brushed behind my ear in one swift motion as he lowered his voice. "Aria, take the fall for now. I'll explain later."

I froze. He'd taken my recorder.

For intelligence work, I always carried a miniature recorder clipped behind my ear, hidden by my hair, invisible to everyone.

Grayson knew my routine.

Lora burst into tears.

"I didn't do it! It wasn't me!

"I saw Aria go to that bar yesterday. She was the one who chatted with some man and leaked the information."

Grayson nodded. "That's right. We know Aria regularly visits a bar to meet a man."

I laughed.

Why did I go to the bar regularly?

Because I was gathering intelligence for Grayson. The man at the bar was one of my people, and he ran a sprawling intelligence network for me.

Grayson knew exactly why I went.

The crowd grew angrier.

"Aria, why would you frame Lora? Is it jealousy?"

"Because Lora is the Don's girlfriend, right?"

The fury I'd been holding back finally boiled over. "I'm Grayson's girlfriend! I've been with him for seven years!"

A stunned silence. They stared at me like I'd lost my mind, and a few snickers echoed through the hall.

I fixed my eyes on Grayson. "Grayson, tell them. Who is your girlfriend?"

This was his last chance.

Lora spoke first. "Aria, you and the Don have never even spoken. How could you possibly be a couple?"

Grayson was silent for a full five seconds. Then he said, "Aria, don't make things up. I barely know you."

"Fine." I laughed, tears streaming down my face. "Fine. You barely know me."

Suddenly, I didn't want to fight anymore.

I pulled the silver ring from my finger. It was the first thing Grayson ever gave me, the ring that sealed our promise.

We were both eighteen then.

Grayson had slipped the ring onto my finger and kissed my hand. "Aria, one day I'll give you something far more precious."

I'd worn that ring for seven years. Never once took it off.

Not anymore.

I hurled it at the floor.

Grayson's gaze hitched for a second before he looked away. "The council will continue. Lock Aria in the dungeon. Gather evidence. Interrogation tomorrow."

A squad of soldiers came and dragged me to the dungeon.

That night, Grayson showed up. He waved off his men.

"Aria, things were urgent. I needed you to take the heat for now. I'll say the evidence was insufficient and let you out soon.

"Lora didn't mean it. She was terrified. She's the girl you took in. Help her out."

I smirked. "Lora wasn't the only stray I took in. You were too. And now I'm done with both of you."

Grayson's expression iced over. "What did you just say?"

I couldn't be bothered. I closed my eyes. "Get out."

Grayson erupted. "Aria, you're getting more and more out of line. Stay here and think about what you've done. You'll get out when you come to your senses."

He stormed out.

I opened my eyes.

Ever since becoming Don, Grayson's temper had grown worse and worse. He couldn't tolerate even the slightest pushback.

Think about what I've done?

Right.

I pulled out my phone and sent a message: "I'm in the dungeon. Get me out within seven days, and I'll agree to the partnership."

The reply came almost instantly: "Three days. Wait for me."