Chapter 3 THE DEAL

"Sit down, Aria."

Dominic's voice was calm. Polite, even.

It made my skin crawl.

I didn't sit.

I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, staring at the man who had unraveled me with a single kiss less than twelve hours ago. The man who now stood in my apartment, holding my mother's bracelet like a ransom note.

My father hovered near the door, wringing his hands. "Aria, please. Just listen---"

"You knew?" My voice came out hoarse. "You knew I was at that club?"

Dominic tilted his head, studying me. "I didn't. Not at first."

"But you figured it out."

"The bracelet has an engraving," he said, turning it over in his palm. "To my darling Aria. It wasn't difficult."

My hands clenched into fists. "So you've been sitting on this since last night? Waiting?"

"I've been deciding," he corrected, "how to handle the situation."

"There is no situation," I snapped. "You give me back my bracelet, and you leave."

His eyes darkened with something that might have been amusement. "I'm afraid it's not that simple."

"Why not?"

"Because your father owes Marcus Kane four million dollars," Dominic said, his tone still infuriatingly calm. "And Kane is not a patient man."

I turned to my father. "I thought you said he would help."

"He is helping," my father said quickly. "Dominic's agreed to pay the debt."

My breath caught. "What?"

"In full," Dominic added. "Four million dollars. Transferred to Kane's account within the hour."

I stared at him. Four million dollars. He said it like it was pocket change.

"Why?" I asked slowly. "Why would you do that?"

Dominic took a step closer.

Then another.

He moved like a man who had never been told no in his life, and I hated that my body tensed in anticipation rather than fear.

"Because Robert is my friend," he said. "And because I don't like the idea of Kane's men putting their hands on what's mine."

The room went very still.

"What's yours?" I repeated.

He stopped in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne. Expensive. Intoxicating.

"You, Aria."

My father cleared his throat. "Dom, maybe we should---"

"Leave us," Dominic said, not looking away from me.

My father hesitated. "Aria---"

"Dad." My voice was tight. "Give us a minute."

He nodded and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

The second we were alone, I shoved Dominic's chest.

He didn't move.

"I am not yours," I hissed. "I don't care what kind of deal you made with my father. I'm not part of it."

"Aren't you?"

"No."

"Then how do you propose your father pays back four million dollars?" Dominic asked. "Will you take out a loan? Work double shifts at the hospital? Sell plasma?"

I flinched, but I held my ground. "We'll figure it out."

"You have three days before Kane kills him," Dominic said flatly. "You won't figure it out."

"Then what do you want?" I demanded.

His gaze dropped to my mouth.

Lingered.

"I want you to move into my estate," he said. "For your protection."

I laughed. It came out sharp and bitter. "Protection. Right."

"Kane knows who you are now," Dominic continued. "He knows you're Robert's daughter. If he can't collect from your father, he'll collect from you."

"I can handle myself."

"Can you?" He reached out and caught my wrist, his thumb pressing against my pulse point. "Your heart is racing, Aria. Just like last night."

I yanked my hand back. "Don't touch me."

"You didn't say that last night."

Heat flooded my face. "That was different."

"Was it?"

"Yes," I said through gritted teeth. "Last night, I didn't know you were my father's friend. I didn't know you were going to swoop in and---and buy me like I'm some kind of---"

"I'm not buying you," Dominic interrupted. "I'm protecting you."

"By locking me in your house?"

"By keeping you alive."

His voice was hard now. Final.

I took a shaky breath. "What are the terms?"

"You live at my estate in the Hamptons. You don't leave without my security team. You don't contact Kane or anyone associated with him."

"For how long?"

"Until the threat is neutralized."

"And how long will that take?"

Dominic's jaw tightened. "As long as it takes."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only answer I have."

I crossed my arms, trying to keep myself from shaking. "And if I say no?"

"Then your father dies," Dominic said simply. "And you'll spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, waiting for Kane to collect."

Silence stretched between us.

"You're a bastard," I whispered.

"Yes," he agreed. "But I'm a bastard who keeps his word. Accept my terms, and I'll keep you safe. Both of you."

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run.

But I thought of my father, broken and desperate, and I thought of Marcus Kane's men dragging him into an alley.

I thought of my mother's bracelet in Dominic's hand.

"Fine," I said. "I'll do it."

Dominic stepped closer, and before I could stop him, he clasped the bracelet around my wrist. His fingers lingered on my skin, warm and possessive.

"Good girl," he murmured.

I jerked my hand away, but the bracelet stayed.

A chain.

A claim.

"You have twenty-four hours to pack," Dominic said, straightening. "My driver will collect you tomorrow night."

"What about my classes? My clinical rotations?"

"I'll arrange for a leave of absence."

"You can't just---"

"I can," he interrupted. "And I will."

He turned toward the door, then paused. Looked back at me.

"One more thing, Aria."

"What?"

His eyes were cold. Empty.

"Don't try to run. I'll find you."

And then he was gone.