LOGINARIA
I wake to unfamiliar silk sheets against my bare skin and the disorienting realization that I'm not in my bed.
I am hurting in places I didn’t know could hurt.
Everything between my thighs feels raw and swollen, like I’ve been split open and put back together. My wrists have faint red rings from the silk ties, and when I shift, the sheets slide over skin that’s tender everywh
ARIA"When did this conversation happen?""Two months before your wedding." Vivienne's voice is soft. "Before everything fell apart. Marcus was already planning to betray you, Aria. The affair with me? That was his backup plan when I refused to go after Dante.""But you did have an affair with him.""Yes. Because he convinced me that you were the reason I was unhappy, that you had everything I deserved. And I was stupid enough, jealous enough, to believe him." She wipes at her eyes. "But the whole time, his real target was never you. It was Dante."I sink onto a nearby stool, my legs unable to hold me."Why are you telling me this now?""Because Marcus called me again yesterday. He's planning something new, something involving both you and Dante. He wouldn't give me details, but he was excited. Said everything was finally falling into place." She crouches in front of me. "Aria, I know you hate me. I know you'll never forgive me for what I did. But Marcus is dangerous in ways even I di
ARIAThe day after the estate distribution, I wake up feeling hollowed out.My family has their money. Torres is still out there. And I'm trapped in this penthouse, waiting for a threat that could come from anywhere, at any time.Dante is already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed with his phone pressed to his ear, his voice low and tense."I don't care what it takes, Viktor. Find him."He ends the call and turns to me, his expression softening slightly when he sees I'm awake."Still no sign of Torres?" I ask, though I already know the answer."No. He's gone completely dark again after that hotel sighting." He reaches over, brushing hair from my face. "But we're not giving up.""I know." I sit up, pulling the sheet around me. "How long can we live like this, though? Constantly waiting, and afraid?""As long as it takes to keep you safe.""That's not living, Dante. That's existing." I can feel the walls closing in on me, the weight of constant surveillance and security pressing down
ARIA"Aria, wait." My mother's voice is small and desperate. "Please. Can we talk?""No.""But sweetheart, you don't understand—""I understand perfectly. You chose money over me. All of you did." I look around the table. "You have your inheritance now. That's what you should get. Consider it your payment for destroying any relationship we might have had.""You self-righteous bitch," Emma hisses. "You think you're so much better than us, so morally superior. But you're just spiteful. You could have helped us, and you chose not to out of pure spite.""No, Emma. I chose not to reward people who tried to murder me. There's a difference." I gather my purse. "Enjoy your ten million dollars. I hope it's worth what you paid for it."Uncle Richard stands abruptly, his chair scraping loudly. "You think this is over? You think you've won?"Dante is on his feet instantly, positioning himself between Richard and me. "Careful, Richard.""Or what? You'll have me arrested on your fabricated evidence
ARIAThe day of the estate distribution arrives with cruel sunshine and unseasonably warm weather.I dress carefully, in a navy Armani suit, a cream silk blouse, and Louboutin heels. I want my family to see exactly what they're trying so hard to destroy.Dante is already dressed when I emerge from the closet, looking devastating in a charcoal three-piece suit that probably costs more than my parents' monthly mortgage payment."Ready?" he asks."No. But let's do this anyway."The law office is in Midtown, a prestigious firm that's handled my grandparents' estate for decades. The conference room is large and imposing, all dark wood and leather chairs, with windows overlooking the city.My family is already there when we arrive.My parents sit together on one side of the massive table, my mother's hands twisted in her lap, and my father staring at the surface like it holds answers. Uncle Richard and Aunt Penny are across from them; Richard's face is set in hard lines, and Aunt Penny look
DANTEI wake before dawn with Aria sprawled across my chest, her silk nightdress twisted around her waist, and her hair a wild mess across the pillow. The terrace doors are still open, letting in the cool morning air that carries the faint sounds of the city waking up.Last night was exactly what we both needed, a raw, primal release of all the tension that's been building since this nightmare with her family began. But now, in the quiet before the storm, reality settles back in.The estate distribution is in two days.Richard Sinclair is planning something.Torres is still out there.And I still don't know what threat I'm preparing for.I ease out from under Aria carefully, letting her settle back into the pillows. She murmurs something unintelligible but doesn't wake. I pull a blanket over her, close the terrace doors, and head to my office.Viktor is already there when I arrive, looking like he hasn't slept. Knowing him, he probably hasn't."Tell me you have something," I say, pour
ARIAThe spank lands sharp and hot across my right ass cheek, the crack echoing into the night like a gunshot. The sting blooms instantly, like fire under my skin, spreading deep into my muscle and straight to my clit. I gasp, and I jerk my hips forward, my pussy clenching hard around his cock where he’s still buried inside me on the chaise.Dante’s hand stays there; his flat palm rubs the heat in slow circles that make the burn sink deeper, turning pain into throbbing need.“Again,” I breathe, my voice wrecked and shameless.He chuckles in a low, dark, and approving manner.He spanks the left cheek, harder this time, and the impact jolts through me, making my breasts bounce against his chest, and the silk nightdress slides higher up my thighs. The breeze catches the wet spot between my legs, cools the slickness coating my inner thighs, and heightens every nerve ending.I moan, loudly and unashamed, my head falling back so the city lights paint my throat silver.He spanks my ass again







