CHAPTER SEVEN
The orchestra hall echoed with the discordant screech of violin strings as Sofia fumbled another passage. Aria tapped her baton against the conductor’s stand, maintaining her mask of patient concem even as satisfactioncoursed through her veins.
“Let’s take live, everyone.” She set down her baton, watching as Sofia’s shoulders slumped in defeat. The young violinist’s face was pale, dark circles visible beneath her makeup.
The other musicians filed out, some throwing sympathetic glances at Sofia, others whispering behind their hands. Aria waited until they were alone before approaching the first chair position.
“Sofia, dirat.” She kept her voice gentle, matemal. “Is everything alright? You seem distracted lately.”
Sofia’s fingers trembled as she lowered her violin. “I’m sorry, Maestro. I’veberpracticing, I swear. I just can’t seem to…” Her voice cracked slightly.
“Of course you have.” Arla placed a comforting hand on Sofia’s shoulder, remembering how those sarne shoulders had been pressed against David in the garden,”
Which is why I have a proposition for you”
Hope thickered in Salia’s green eyes. “Really”
“The board has requested a special performance of Paganini’s Caprice No. 24 for next month’s gala Aria watched Sofia’s expression carefully. “I’ve recommended
you for the solo”
Sotia’s face went even paler. “But… that piece is…”
“Challenging? Absolutely. But your technical skills are exceptional.” Aria smiled warmly, mowing the piece was far beyond Sufia’s current capabilities. “This could be your breakthrough moment,
H
“I don’t know if I’m ready..” Sofia bit her lower lip, uncertainty written across her delicate features
“Nonsense “Aria squeezed her shoulder. “I believe in you. And I’m sure David would love to see you shine.”
Sotia’s head snapped up, panic flashing in her eyes. “What?”
“David Holloway?” Aria kept her tone deliberately casual. “He’s always been such a supporter of young talent. I’m sure he’ll be at the gala.”
“Oh. Yes, of course.” Sedia looked down at her violin, fingers tracing the wood grain nervously.
“I’ll have the sheet music sent to you today. We can start private coaching sessions next week” Arla tumed away to hide her smile. “After all, we want you to be perfect.!!
The next attemoon, sunlight streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows of Suite 1801, casting golden pattems across the numpled silk sheers. Marcus’s lips traced a path down Ana’s neck as his hands roamed possessively over her body.
“I’ve missed you. – he murmured against her skin. “Thesestolen moments aren’t enough anymore.”
Arla ached into his touch, pushing aside the guilt that still occasionally surfaced when she thought about David: “We have to be careful,” she reminded him
(“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.” He peached for his phone on the bedside table. “I’ve had my
Marcus pulled back slightly, his blue eyes in
security beam develop something.”
“Aria sat up, pulling the sheet acound hersell
“It’s a tracking system ” He showed her an appon his screen. “Completely secure, completely private. It would let me know where you are at all times.
The afterglow vanished instantly “Excuse me?”
“For protection,” Marcus added quickly. “The Holloway name attracts attention, not all of it good. And once you’re officially part of the family-”
“Once I’m officially part of the family?” Aria stood up, gathering her scattered clothes. “You mean when I marry your son? The same son you’re helping me cheat
Marcus’s jaw tightened. “That’s not fair.”
“Fair?” Arialet out a harsh laugh as she pulled on her dress. “You want to track my most like I’m some plece of property, and you’re talking about fair?”
“You’re twisting my words” Marcus got up, not bothering with clothes as he approached her. “I just want to keep you safe.”
“No, you want to control me “she stepped back, her hands shaking as she buttoned fier dress. “God, what am I even doing here? I’m sleeping Tather in some sleazy hotel room, and now you want to put a digital leashion me?
“Aria.” His voire dropped lower, dangerous. “Don’t act like you’re some innocent viction here. We both know exactly what this is.”
“Do we?” Shur inri spazedeliantly. “Because it sets like you think this is some kind of ownership arrangement,”
Mancuran a hand though las disheveled hair. “I’m trying to protect what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours!” The words exploded from het in not David’s, F’s pot the orchestra’s, and I’m certainly not yours to track and monitor
She grabbed her purse, leading for the door, but Martin caught her. His touch was gentle despite the strength she knew he possessed.
with my fiance’s
“Aria,please.” Itis voice softened, came the rich, seductive for that is done her in. “I’m sorry, overstepped. No tracking system, I promise.”
She stood frozen, feeling the warntired his hand through let sleeve. “You can’t do things like this, Marvis,
“I know.” He turned her slowly to face lalim. “1
H
| post….. I’ve server felt this way about anyone before. It inakes mecrazy, thinking of losing: you”
Aria looked up at him, sering the volerability beneath the powerful exterior. It was exactly what she’d wanted to make him emotionally dependent on her, So why did it make her chest–ache?
CHAPTER SEVEN
“I’m here because I choose to be,” she said quietly. “The moment you try to force that choice…”
“Never again.” He pulled her closer, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’re right. No tracking, no control, just us.
She let him kiss her, let him guide her back to the bed, let him worship her body until she forgot about everything except the feel of his hands and lips. 1 back of her mind, a waming bell had started to ring.
But in the
The next morning. Aria barely made it to the mansion’s guest bathroom before emptying the contents of her stomach. She gripped the porcelain bowl, her whole body trembling as realization dawned
When was her last period?
She counted backward, then counted again, hoping she was wrong. But the dates didn’t lie, Neither did the violent nausea or the tenderness in her breasts that she’d been ignoring
Aria forced herself to stand, splashing cold water on her face as she stated at her reflection. She didn’t need a test to confirm what she already knew. A hysterical laugh bubbled up in her throat as she thought about the simple biological fact that was about to throw everyone’s lives into chaos.
She was carrying a Holloway belt. The only question was which Holloway was the father?
Her hand drifted to her still–flat stomach as her mind raced through the possibilities. This changed everything – and maybe, just maybe, it changed it in her favor. She thought of Marcus’s possessiveness, of David’s distance, of the power that now grew inside her
A small, satisfied smile curved her lips as she reached for her phone to delete her period tracking app. This wasn’t part of her original plan, but sometimes the best weapons were the ones you didn’t expect to find.
