Viktor Blacktop Bride のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

Aria POVSaying goodbye to Nyra unsettled me far more than I expected.We had hugged before parting ways countless times over the years. She lived in Chicago while I stayed in Houston with her parents, so distance had always existed between us but this goodbye felt different because I belonged to the Viktor now.Then if the fragile peace between the Blacktop and the Diamond Syndicate shattered as everyone quietly expected it would, then seeing Nyra again might become impossible.So far Viktor had been nothing like the monster I’d prepared myself for but what if this calm version of him only existed while we remained surrounded by Diamond Syndicate soldiers and outsiders watching his every move? New York was his territory and once we arrived there, nobody would question him no matter what he did.What if the mask disappeared there?What if the coldness everyone whispered about finally surfaced once we were alone?I wrapped my arms tighter around myself as we crossed the private runway

Aria POVI didn’t realize how openly I’d been staring at Viktor until his gray eyes lifted and locked onto mine and heat rushed instantly into my cheeks.I looked away so quickly my neck almost hurt, suddenly very aware of how obvious I must have been.There was something unnerving about him when he caught you watching him as if nothing escaped his notice for long.Before the awkwardness could completely swallow me, Viktor opened another set of doors and every thought vanished from my mind.The library stole the breath from my lungs, it was enormous.Two stories high, stretching deep into the back of the main wing like a hidden sanctuary carved out of the mansion.Towering shelves lined every wall from floor to ceiling, overflowing with books in dark leather bindings and worn paper covers. Soft golden light spilled from antique wall sconces, warming the dark wood and making the entire room glow faintly.For a second, I simply stood there speechless.My heart thudded painfully hard in

Viktor POVAria kept stealing glances at me as we walked back into the gaming room.Every few seconds, I could feel her attention drift toward me before she quickly looked away again whenever I turned slightly in her direction. Aria studied me like she was trying to solve something impossible.The moment we entered the room, however, her focus shifted instantly because Alexei was already there.He stood near the punching bag in the center of the room wearing only black fight shorts, his skin gleaming faintly with sweat beneath the overhead lights.The chain holding the heavy bag rattled violently every time his fist or knee slammed into it and the impact echoed through the entire room.Alexei paused briefly when he noticed us entering. His sharp gaze slid over Aria for a second before he resumed his assault on the punching bag as though nothing had interrupted him.“I’m starving,” he muttered casually between strikes. “Let’s order pizza.”Beside me, Aria stiffened instantly, the reac

Viktor POVAlexei scowled as he grabbed another slice of pizza from the box, clearly irritated now.“Jesus Christ, Viktor,” he muttered darkly. “I’m getting sick of the constant flinching.”His sharp gaze slid toward Aria briefly before returning to me.“It’s fucking annoying,” he continued. “Especially when I haven’t even done anything to deserve it.” He leaned back against the couch with obvious irritation.“This is my house too and I’m not walking around like I’m defusing bombs because she can’t control herself.”The room fell quiet afterward and I looked toward Aria immediately.She sat stiffly at the edge of the sofa, shoulders tight and eyes lowered toward her plate.A few pieces of lettuce and shredded cheese had fallen onto her jeans when Alexei raised his voice, and now her trembling fingers hurried to gather them.My gaze lingered on her hands and eventually she rose slowly from the couch, avoiding everyone’s eyes.“Do you have a mop?” she asked softly. “I can clean this up.

Aria POV My eyes darted to my left, where he stood, watching me with mild curiosity. He wore a black pants and a tight black T-shirt that exposed his tattooed arms and his hair was pulled back in a very short ponytail.I flushed and quickly stood. “I’m sorry. I should have asked before I started to play. I don’t even know if I’m allowed to.”He frowned and moved closer and didn’t stop despite my growing tension. He leaned against the piano, close but still more than an arm’s length away and his eyes scanned me from head to toe, but I forced myself to stand still, allowing him his appraisal because It was his privilege.Finally, his eyes met mine. “Why wouldn’t you be allowed to play the piano?” he asked. “I got it for you and it’s meant to be played.”“Thank you,” I said quietly. “You didn’t have to do this, it’s too expensive.”Viktor mouth twisted in dark amusement. “I didn’t, but I wanted to, and money isn’t an issue, Aria. We have more than we could ever spend.”I glanced back do