Chapter Six
Saint
My father was going to be a problem. I’d seen it in his eyes before I turned and walked away. But what he didn’t know was that I’d kill even him to keep Aria. His disapproval, his threats—they meant nothing. Aria wasn’t just a pawn or a bargaining chip to me. She was mine. And I’d end anybody who stood between us.
She was the only thing in this fucked-up world that ever made sense. I was self-aware enough to know that she had become more than just a memory—she had become my obsession.
But right now, none of that mattered.
I leaned back in my chair, my eyes locked on the screen as I watched her stumble through my labyrinth. The maze had been designed to break people. To let them think they had a chance before I closed in. I’d release them, let them run, and then hunt them down. It was a game I’d played many times, and I always won. And Aria was no exception.
She needed to learn the same lesson so many had. Running from me was futile.
I wished I’d been here from the beginning to see the look on her face when she realized she was trapped. By now, she’d been out there for hours, the rain soaking through her. Her clothes clung to her, outlining every curve of her body. She was shivering, and the sight of her helpless pulled at something dark, something primal deep inside me.
I imagined chasing her. The rush of catching her, feeling her struggle beneath me.
My ball tightened as my dick grew stiff. What would it be like to fuck Aria? Thinking about it made my neck tight.
I leaned forward, a slow smile spreading across my face. My fingers drummed against the desk as I watched her. I could feel her desperation.
I could see the panic in her eyes, the way her movements were getting slower. She was so close to breaking.
Running a hand through her wet hair, she gave it a frustrated tug. Her breath came in ragged bursts. She was feeling trapped—it was crushing her.
I tightened my grip on the desk, my knuckles white. I watched her fall to her knees, hands balled into fists. Then, she screamed.
“Saint!” Her voice echoed through the maze, raw and furious. “You think you can just trap me like this? I’ll fucking kill you!”
That was cute. She was so violent now.
I leaned in, watching her kick at the bushes. Her body shook from the momentum of it. She was so determined, so defiant. Then she just stopped and plopped down.
A slow smile curledmy lips. Watching her like this, hearing the rage in her voice was entertaining. But I needed a shower. I was still wearing the clothes I'd taken her in.
I stood, stretching, and walked to the bathroom. The water was hot, almost scalding. I let it run over me, washing away last night. I didn’t rush. Aria wasn’t going anywhere.
I closed my eyes and recalled the image of her, all wet, clothes clinging to her. I wrapped my hand around my hard shaft and stroked the length a few times, then stopped myself. What was between Aria and I wasn’t entirely about sexual pleasure. I wouldn’t make it about that.
After washing, I stepped out. I dried off quickly before pulling on a fresh shirt and pants.
Back in the room, I dropped into the chair and flicked through the camera feeds.
Aria was back up on her feet, pacing. Her head was down as she mumbled something too low for me to hear.
The rain had slowed, but she was shivering. I picked up the phone, reached under my desk and switched off the jammer that blocked the phone signal. If you didn't have access to it, you couldn't make calls or use the internetwithin a five mile radius of my home. I called the maid. “Bring dinner to my office,” I said, not taking my eyes off the screen. “And make it quick.”
The food arrived within minutes—steak, potatoes, a glass of red wine. I ate slowly, savoring each bite while I watched her. She had made it to her feet again, stumbling as she tried to find a way out. But exhaustion was setting in. Good. Let her feel it. Let her realize how pointless trying to escape was.
My phone buzzed. Luciano. I answered without looking away from the screen. “What?”
“You’re late,” he said, his voice sharp. “The Russians are getting restless.”
“You handle it. I’m suspending all business for the foreseeable future,” I said, my tone calm but firm. “I’m getting married.”
There was a pause on the other end. Luciano didn’t talk much—never had. He was strange, quiet. He’d been kidnapped as a kid. He was like me in ways. Our fathers had groomed us to take over their operations. He didn’t process emotions like other people either. But Luciano had always been... different. I met him when he was sixteen, and by then, the damage had already been done. He grunted, a sound of disapproval, and then hung up abruptly. No questions, no congratulations, no argument. Just silence.
I put the phone down and leaned back, my eyes still on Aria. She was leaning against a hedge now, her head in her hands. The rain had stopped, but the garden was still slick, the earth damp. I was proud of her for lasting so long out there. Grown men had resorted to begging and pleading.
I finished the meal, pushed the plate aside. The maid came in to clear the tray, silent and efficient. I didn’t thank her. She knew her place.
Aria lay down on the ground, staring up at the sky, motionless. I stood, stretching again, and walked into my bedroom. I changed into sleep clothes and climbed into bed. Before lying down, I switched off the surveillance monitors in the office and pulled up the feed on my phone. Aria was now huddled on the ground, shaking. The rain had stopped, but the night was cold. If I thought she’d be grateful, I’d go get her, but I knew she would fight me even after I rescued her.
Propping up the phone on my nightstand, the screen glowing faintly in the dark. I watched her for a while until my eyes grew heavy. The last thing I saw before falling asleep was her, alone in the maze, shivering under the pale light of the moon.