AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ara and I met at one of her father’s parties in Boston. It was obvious she desperately wanted out. So, I offered her an out, if she could assist me with something. Or should I say, a particular company. When she’s fixated on a task, she has a knack for being…resourceful.” He considers the word carefully.
“I would know because she tried to hack into my companies’ data, which is why I cornered her in the first place. We both have some personal objectives, and I was in a position to assist her. Ara’s been here for longer than six months. She had two hits before her current target.”
The “current target” being me.
I keep my composure as I consider this, curious as to who her previous two hits were. My little viper seems to get more interesting by the second and this has spiraled far deeper than I realized.
“No, I don’t know what her exact motive toward your family is. What I do know is she efficiently took out my opposition within two months.”
“Mr. Dalian?” I ask.
He nods, impressed. I wondered what his sudden downfall was before Dmitri bought the business out. It was suspicious but no one was the wiser to question it. When big typhoons suddenly drop to their knees there’s always someone else behind it.
“The second hit was the former CFO, Timothy Lanser of her daddy dearest’s company. She needed an opening to stay here permanently. With his reins so tight, she was able to tear him down in a matter of weeks. That hit; However, she got a little more personal with that hit. Can you believe how shocking it is he didn’t even know the woman he thought he was secretly seeing was actually his boss’s daughter. She got dirt on him and publicly shamed him—although anonymously—to the point of having no choice but to resign and swept right in.”
The glass almost shatters under my grip. The thought of Ara with any other man makes me want to burn the city to the ground. Memories of pinning her against the table, licking the cake off of her body. That was something for only me to know. Her moans and cries were something only ever designed for me and the thought of any other man… I cut the thought off, doing all I can to keep my temperament in check.
“Now she’s targeting me.” I say point-blank. “Why?”
He shrugs. “Who knows really. You should know better than anyone that most aren’t transparent with their motives in business dealings.”
“As much as I don’t believe you are with yours.”
Dmitri offers a tight smile. “I have my reasons. I also have no interest in picking a fight with you, Luca. Not one I can’t win, anyway.”
Despite Dmitri’s lean frame, I believe him. There’s a killer in his gaze. Sharp and purposeful. I’m intrigued by what he might be able to do.
I’m impressed at a time when not much catches me off guard. My phone buzzes, and a text message comes through from one of my men I have following Ara.
She’s just left her apartment building with a group of women.
I throw back the rest of my whisky. I warned her not to attend girls’ night, but it seems as if she needs to be taught a lesson once again.
I stand, adjusting my suit jacket. “Next Friday night the fight begins at ten. One of my men will be in touch. I look forward to watching the match.”
Dmitri smiles and offers his hand. I wouldn’t care to shake most men’s hands, but he’s left an impression on me. I don’t feel tempted to immediately shoot him; that must count for something. It could work in my favor to have the Lion’s son in my inner workings.
“If I can offer one piece of advice,” Dmitri says, standing and adjusting his navy suit jacket. “Ara is not the type of woman to be kept. She serves only herself.”
A cruel smile spreads across my face because although I came to him seeking out information about Ara, I realize now I know her far better that he does. That offers me a male pride.
“That’s where you’re wrong. All defiant things can be broken,” I say matter-of-fact. “And breaking things is one of my favorite things to do.”
21
ARA
We’re escorted past the long line and welcomed right into Telltale, an exclusive nightclub for the wealthy and famous where they can disregard their profiles and inhibitions. What happens at Telltale stays at Telltale. Well, at least that’s what Sienna told us when she organized our VIP passes.
“I’ve been here once before, and it was crazy fun!” she exclaims as we walk in. Sienna is noticeable, even from a mile away. Tall and beautiful in a teal dress that leaves little to the imagination. It’s no doubt to impress her new boyfriend—B-list celebrity, Michael Balfore. In other words, by twelve tonight our Cinderella of the night will be finding herself busy elsewhere. “Michael actually purchased the booth for us tonight. I told him he didn’t have to, but how cute!”
“You get too excited about these things.” Romi rolls her eyes, but I can tell she’s just as excited. Especially considering she instigated the entire night. She’s wearing a silk black dress that comes to her knees, and she’s paired it with thick soled boots. I appreciate her style considering it’s so different than her usual hippie attire. Her dark red bob is curled, and she’s wearing green eyeshadow.
“Well, at least she has some action going for her. We have to scout tonight, Romi,” Lily says mischievously. Her hair is in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing long pink pants with a matching bralette. Her father would have a heart attack if he saw her, but girl is out on a mission tonight.
“What about me?” I add as we’re waiting for the hostess to lead us to our booth. A glass screen comes between us and the festive celebrations happening inside. I can see my reflection—a red leather dress that zips down the front and my dark as night hair in a high ponytail.
It took me a while to decide whether I should actually come out or not. I haven’t gone clubbing in a while and never with friends. With recent events I realized I may very well not make it to my next birthday, so I might as well enjoy it.
