Chapter 3 Pin Her Down

• ARIA
• “Aria?” A deep voice called out, sounding shocked, as if he wasn't sure what he was seeing.
• I had stepped out to eat outside. After that encounter with Damien, I had no strength left to touch a pot, much less put a meal together.
• Normally, I would have gone to any local place for a quick bite but tonight, I chose to take myself out to a five-star restaurant.
• I deserved a good meal.
• I was pulled from my thoughts when a low, deep voice spoke from behind me.
• “I can't believe it's you.”
• Turning my head, the man standing before me is not one I'd have imagined or prepared to meet in a long shot.
• “Kak ty, printsessa?”
• The familiar Russian accent rolled over me like a wave, freezing me in place. My throat dried as I drank him in.
• There he was. Roman Volkov
• Even in the dim restaurant lighting, he commanded the room like a king among mortals.
• Dressed in all black, his fitted shirt clung to his powerful frame, showcasing the new tattoos on his arms and knuckles. His brown eyes were darker now, more intense than I remembered, and they looked like they could strip me bare, peeling back every layer of my soul.
• I had heard stories.
• That Roman wasn’t just an ordinary man anymore—he was a force, a legend whispered in the shadows of the mafia world. Stories of his rise to power echoed through every corner of the underground, painting him as the most ruthless and feared mafia Don.
• I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. It was as though my body refused to function in his presence. Memories of our past rushed forward, tangling with the reality of my current situation.
• I promised him I'd be happy.
• So why was he showing up now, of all times? When I was feeling the worst!
• “Aria?” His voice softened slightly, his Eyes searching for me after seeing that I was fucking frozen.
• I finally managed to snap out of my daze.
• The chair scraped loudly against the marble floor as I stood abruptly, my pulse hammering in my ears. I couldn’t speak to him. I had nothing to say to him.
• I was married, damn it. Nothing good could come out of seeing him again.
• Worse off if Damien’s men reported with pictures. All it took was a strange angle for someone to misinterpret a situation.
• “I... I need to go,” I mumbled, my voice shaky as I grabbed my purse.
• “Aria.” His voice stopped me in my tracks.
• I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.
• I cursed myself for coming out tonight. I should have cooked instead.
• Dammit!!
• As I hurried toward the exit, I heard faint murmurs behind me.
• “Should we stop her?” one of them asked in Russian.
• His response was a flat “No.”
• I made my way to my car, my fingers trembling as I fumbled with the keys. I entered the car and drove away.
• As I drove back home, I couldn't help but wonder, Damien was probably back home, but he hadn't called or texted to find out where I was.
• My chest felt tight, and my stomach churned. My marriage wasn't the happiest, but it wasn't this bad either.
• Everything changed since that bitch Kate returned.
• Sighing, I turned to our house and parked outside. The first thing that caught my attention was the lights, which were on.
• So I was right.
• He was back, but he just didn't care enough to check in on me.
• I stepped inside, the tension in my chest getting worse, but I pushed the feeling aside, hoping something urgent came up, and that's why he was too busy to call.
• When I opened the door, a shattering scream left my lips. It took me a second to realize that it was coming from me.
• Guns immediately turned to me.
• “Put them away.” Damien’s commanding voice echoed when he realized it was me.
• My hands felt like they were shaking so badly that I had to hold them together.
• Damien was seated in the armchair in the middle of the living room,
• “What time is it?” he asked, his tone cold. Cutting through the air like a knife in butter.
• I ignored the question, my gaze shifting to Katherine standing beside him like a Queen on the throne.
• “Had a good dinner, Aria?” she asked, her voice dripping with mockery.
• “Are you two serious right now?” I croaked out as my eyes went back to the three men covered in a pool of blood.
• “What? Scared of a little blood, beloved wife?” Damien stood and walked towards me.
• I walked back.
• “Pin her down. So she can watch what happens to those who betray the oath.”