Chapter 106
Aria’s POV
Their eyes are still on me.
I can feel it, heavy and sharp, slicing through the music and heat like a blade. Even with the crowd moving around me, even with Henry’s hands still lightly on my hips, it’s their gaze that has me breathless.
I glance up.
Only Enzo and Dante remain in the VIP area now. Enzo’s knuckles are tight around the edge of the table, and Dante hasn’t moved at all, but there’s something deadly about how still he is.
Matteo is gone.
That alone should worry me.
I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I can’t stop. Maybe it’s the music, the way it pulses through my body like a second heartbeat, or maybe it’s the fire in my chest every time I feel their eyes on me. I can’t breathe, but I don’t want to stop. My skin feels too hot, like I’m burning from the inside out, but I keep moving–twisting my body just enough to show off the way my dress clings to me. I know they’re watching. I know they see the way Henry’s hands slide lower, the way my fingers skim his jaw as I laugh like I’m not falling apart inside. It’s cruel, maybe. Reckless. But I want them to break first. I want them to feel even a fraction of the chaos they’ve put me through. From the corner of my eye, I catch Grace staring from across the floor–eyebrows raised, lips parted, like she’s not sure whether to cheer me on or drag me off the dance floor. I give her a wink, like I’m in control, like I’m not trembling under my skin. Her gaze flicks up to the VIP section, and when she sees them, her expression hardens. She mouths something at me–what are you doing?-but I just smile in response. Because I don’t even know what I’m doing. All I know is that I want them to see me. Want them to hurt. And if I’m playing with fire, then so be it–let it burn.
I pull away from Henry slowly, letting the music fade into background noise. My heart is thudding. I shouldn’t care. I don’t. But I do.
Grace appears by my side like a ghost. She hands me a drink.
“You’re playing with fire,” she says softly, watching them with her chin tilted slightly. “Like, full–on gasoline–and–matches type of fire.”
I take the drink, sip it. “Maybe I want to get burned.”
Grace raises her brows, a smile pulling at her lips. “Girl, if you kiss him, I’m taking three shots.”
I turn to look at Henry again. He’s smiling like he thinks he’s won something.
Poor guy.
Without thinking too much, I walk back over, wrap my arms around his neck, and pull him down into a kiss. A real one this time. My lips move slowly over his, my fingers brushing against the short hair at the nape of his neck.
It’s not bad.
But it’s not them.
I open my eyes mid–kiss, just to see what I really want to see.
Enzo looks like he wants to kill someone. His jaw is clenched so tight it might snap.
Dante’s expression hasn’t changed, but his eyes–his eyes are burning. Hot and sharp, like they’re already undressing my soul.
And Matteo… still missing.
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Chapter 106
1 pull back from Henry with a soft smile. “Thanks,” I say lightly, brushing past him.
Grace meets me halfway. “Four shots,” she says, eyes wide. “And I think you broke Enzo’s brain.”
“Good,” I say, though my voice isn’t as steady as I want it to be.
1 grab her drink and take another sip, staring up at the now two–man audience.
“Where do you think Matteo went?” I ask.
Grace shrugs. “Probably to find you.”
1 smirk. “Then let’s not make him wait.”
I turn to Henry, flash a flirty smile. “I’ll be right back,” I say, leaning in close. “Ladies‘ room.”
He nods like a puppy. “Want me to come with?”
“No,” I say with a wink. “Don’t wait up.”
I slipped off the bar stool for a moment, needing to catch my breath and maybe–just maybe–collect myself before I did something even more reckless. Grace caught up to me near the bar, her face tight with worry as she reached for my arm. “Aria,” she said, her voice low but sharp, “what the hell are you doing?” I shrugged, playing it off, even though my heart was thudding like a war drum. “Just dancing.” Her eyes narrowed. “You know what I mean. I didn’t even know they’d be here tonight–I swear. If I’d known…” she trailed off, rubbing a hand over her face. “I wouldn’t have brought you.” That made me pause. Grace looked genuinely guilty, and for a second, it softened the burn in my chest. “It’s fine,” I lied, glancing up toward the VIP section again. “It doesn’t matter.” But it did. It mattered way too much. “They’ve been staring at you like they’re about to jump over the railing,” Grace muttered. “You think that’s a good idea? Playing with them like this?” I tilted my head, sipping from a drink I didn’t remember ordering. “Maybe I’m done being the one who gets hurt.” Grace gave me a look–half fear, half admiration. “Just… be careful, okay? You’re poking sleeping dragons, Aria.” I smiled, sharp and bitter. “Then maybe it’s time they woke up.”
Grace catches my wrist as I turn. “Aria…”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re insane.”
“Same thing.”
The walk to the bathroom feels longer than it should.
The air shifts as I move through the crowd. People glance at me and then look away quickly, like they can sense something dark moving beneath the surface. The lights flash in rhythm with my heartbeat. The bass is loud, but everything feels muted.
I push open the bathroom door.
It’s quiet.
Too quiet.
The air is warm and humid from the club, the mirrors slightly fogged. My heels click against the tile as I step forward.
Then the door clicks shut behind me.
1 freeze.
Turn slowly.
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Chapter 106
They’re here.
All three of them.
Matteo stands in front of the door, flipping the lock with a loud snap. Enzo leans casually against the wall, but there’s nothing relaxed about him. And Dante… Dante is staring at me through the mirror, arms crossed, eyes cold.
They say nothing.
But they don’t have to.
I stand my ground. My heart is pounding so loud I’m sure they can hear it. I feel the weight of their presence settle over me like a storm.
What did I just do?
I thought I was in control.
But now I’m not so sure.
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