Aria Vance stepped out of the sleek black car, her posture poised, her expression unreadable. The grand venue before her glittered with opulence, chandeliers casting golden light over the elegantly dressed elite. She wasn't here to be dazzled, though. She was here for a purpose.
Beside her, Damian Cross adjusted the cuff of his tailored suit, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. "Relax, Aria. We're just two people enjoying a glamorous evening."
She barely spared him a glance. "I don't trust you, Damian."
His smirk widened. "And yet, here we are."
With that, he extended his arm, and after a brief hesitation, Aria took it. They moved through the grand entrance, seamlessly blending into the high-profile crowd. The moment she stepped inside, she could feel the weight of countless eyes on her—some curious, some wary, and one particular gaze burning with suspicion.
Logan Hale.
He stood near the bar, his hand wrapped around a glass of bourbon, his cold stare locked onto her. Aria met his gaze head-on, refusing to let him see any hesitation. If he wanted to play this game, she was more than ready.
"Quite the audience," Damian murmured near her ear, his voice smooth, teasing.
"Good. That means they're watching him too."
Damian chuckled under his breath. "I do love it when you get strategic."
Ignoring him, Aria let her eyes scan the room. Russell Pierce was here somewhere, and she needed to get to him before Logan or anyone else did. She couldn't afford to lose her leverage.
Julie had warned her about walking into a snake pit. But Aria had no intention of being anyone's prey.
As they made their way further inside, a waiter passed by with champagne. Damian took two glasses, handing one to her. "Try not to look too eager. You don't want Russell knowing he's the real target."
She took the glass but didn't sip, keeping her eyes sharp. Finally, she spotted him—Russell Pierce, standing near the edge of the room, engaged in quiet conversation with a man she didn't recognize.
"Found him," she murmured.
Damian followed her gaze and let out a low hum of interest. "He looks nervous."
"Good."
Before she could move, Damian leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough for only her to hear. "And yet, here you are, walking in beside me, drawing all eyes our way. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? If I'm really the one playing both sides or if you're using me just as much as I'm using you."
Aria didn't react immediately, keeping her gaze locked on Russell. "I don't use people, Damian. But I'm not naive either."
A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest. "That's what makes this so much fun, Aria. Neither of us trusts the other, yet we keep finding reasons to work together."
She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. "I don't find this fun."
His smirk deepened. "That's because you haven't let yourself enjoy it yet."
She exhaled sharply, stepping away from him and toward her real target. Damian didn't stop her, but she could feel the amusement rolling off him in waves. He thrived in situations like these—where deception and power games played out in whispers and glances.
As she glided through the room, the scent of expensive cologne and aged whiskey wrapped around her. She exchanged polite nods and hollow smiles, all while keeping her true intentions buried beneath the surface.
Russell Pierce stood near the terrace, oblivious to her approach. The man was older, sharp in appearance but slightly frayed at the edges, as if the weight of secrets had begun to take its toll.
"Mr. Pierce," she greeted, her tone silky smooth. "It's been a while."
Russell turned, startled for a brief moment before masking it with a forced smile. "Ms. Vance. A surprise seeing you here."
Aria tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh? And why is that?"
Before Russell could answer, Damian appeared at her side, his presence an unspoken warning. Aria could see the flicker of unease in Russell's posture. Interesting.
"I hear you've been quite the busy man lately," she continued, swirling the champagne in her glass. "Logan must appreciate your loyalty."
Russell chuckled, though the sound lacked warmth. "Loyalty is a delicate thing in this world, Ms. Vance. You should know that better than anyone."
Aria's smile never wavered, but her grip on her glass tightened. "Yes. Which is why I'd hate to see misplaced loyalty lead to unfortunate consequences."
A bead of sweat formed at Russell's temple, though he quickly wiped it away. "Careful, Aria. You're playing a dangerous game."
Before she could press further, a waiter approached with a discreetly folded note. Aria accepted it, unfolding the crisp paper. The message was scrawled in elegant, unfamiliar handwriting:
*Step carefully, Miss Vance. Not all shadows are your own.*
Aria's pulse quickened. When she looked up, Logan was no longer at the bar.
Damian leaned in, his lips brushing near her ear. "Seems like you've got someone's attention."
Aria folded the note and tucked it into her clutch. She wasn't sure whose move it was next, but one thing was certain—she was no longer the only one pulling the strings tonight.
Aria barely had a moment to process the note before a soft yet firm hand caught her wrist. She turned, her sharp gaze meeting the warm brown eyes of a woman she hadn't expected to see tonight—Natalie Laurent, the influential socialite with rumored ties to both Logan and his rivals.
"Aria," Natalie purred, her French accent rolling smoothly off her tongue. "It's been too long."
Aria masked her surprise, offering a graceful smile. "Natalie. I didn't realize you'd be here."
Natalie's red lips curved knowingly. "Oh, darling, you should know by now—I'm always where the most interesting stories unfold." Her gaze flickered to Damian, then to the note in Aria's hand. "And it seems you've found yourself in quite the story tonight."
Damian, standing beside them with a casual air, tilted his head. "I take it you're here to warn her, or perhaps to complicate things further?"
Natalie laughed lightly, swirling the wine in her glass. "Neither, actually. I simply wanted to remind Aria that secrets have a way of slipping through even the tightest grasp."
Aria's smile didn't falter, but something about Natalie's words sent a chill down her spine. "That almost sounds like a threat."
Natalie leaned in slightly, her perfume—a mix of jasmine and something sharper—filling the space between them. "A reminder, chère. You're playing in dangerous waters, and some of the sharks… don't care who drowns."
With that, she stepped back, offering Aria a lingering look before disappearing into the crowd, leaving behind only the faintest scent of mystery.
Aria exhaled slowly, fingers tightening around the note in her hand. It seemed the shadows weren't the only things watching her tonight.