Chapter 4 WAR

Ariella's POV

I've spent the last two days in a fog constant state of frustration and restless energy, replaying Rafael's confession over and over in my head.

His voice-rough, vulnerable, almost haunted keeps me up at night, and the memory of his hands on my skin still leave a ghostly ache I can't seem to forget.

But tonight, I'm determined to focus on some more important things then the male specie---- answers.

Tomorrow is going to be my first day officially resuming as the face and head of my father's legacy and I want to make sure that I know everything that I should.

I don't want to mess things up----- that's another reason I've locked myself in my room since that night with Rafael and ignored the others.

Anyway, I sit in the dull lighting of the library with my laptop balanced on my knees, scrolling through financial statements that might as well have be written in another language.

But at least I've learned enough from my father's empire to spot when numbers don't add up.

"Late night, princess?"

I jump at Carter's voice and turn to see him standing in the doorway with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his tattoos snaking along his arms.

Worst of all is that he's smirking---- his smirk is infuriating, I want to go over to him and wipe it off from his face.

"None of your business," I snap at him and turn back to my laptop.

But he comes in anyway, ignoring my harsh tone. "Come on, sweetheart. You know we're all dying to know what's keeping you up at night."

I slam the laptop shut, not wanting him to see what I've been up to and turn to face him.

"I said it's none of your business."

Carter chuckles.

"Touchy. Don't let the others catch you poking around the numbers. They don't like surprises," he says and I gasp, surprised that he figured it out quickly.

I swallow and then glare at him, "Why? Because they've got something to hide?"

His grin widens. "Maybe."

Then he steps closer, overwhelming me with his bulky muscular presence, and wrapping me with his cologne- a dark and spicy scent that's making it hard for me to think.

First Rafael, now Carter?

I hope all the other don't also have good scent because I might as well just die---- I won't be able to think straight.

"Stay out of my way," I whisper, my voice trembling.

"Make me," he challenges, bringing his lips to rest just inches from mine.

I blink and stare down at his lips but before I can react----- and I don't know how I would have reacted------ he steps back and lets his smile fade from his lips.

"Be careful, Ariella," he says in a suddenly serious voice. "These men will eat you alive if you let them."

He leaves me then without saying another word, leaving me alone with my anger and my confusion.

Agitated, I open the laptop again, feeling my heart pound at the warning.

I thought Carter was among those I should seriously worry about---- I mean, with all his tattoos---- but what he says now makes me worry that I was wrong.

Heck, I may not be able to trust him as well at all.

The numbers blur in my vision, but I force myself to focus and adjust my sitting position to read properly.

There are transfers between accounts that don't have creation inputs----- literally meaning they shouldn't exist---- and there are also large sums disappearing overnight.

It's a paper trail that leads to nowhere exactly.

I think I've just found myself sabotage.

--------------

By morning, I'm ready and at the boardroom.

The Seven are all here, each man a literal king in his own domain my father had placed him in.

Damon sits at the head of the table with his gaze fixed on me, Rafael is to his right with a blank look on his face, and Carter is seated at his left, leaning back with his arms folded, watching me like I'm a piece of meat.

Luca, always the fashion prince, lounges with ease and keeps drumming his fingers in a rhythm that definitely only he understands.

Elias smiles politely in a tailored suit, Jace's cool usual detached look makes my skin crawl and finally there's Tristan, lounging at the end with a playful grin on his lips and for a moment, I wonder whether he remembers we're in the boardroom.

I clear my throat, and begin my statement, feeling them all look intently at me.

"I've spent the last two days reviewing the financial records," I say.

"And I've found a lot of discrepancies-millions have been siphoned out of accounts and hidden in shell corporations. Someone is stealing from this company."

A lot of reaction moves around the table once I'm done talking.

Some board members--- them---- are surprised, some are amused and some are angry but Damon's expression doesn't change.

"Accusations without proof are dangerous, Ariella."

However I expected that statement already and so I slam a file down on the table. "Proof is what I have."

Carter raises an eyebrow, seemingly impressed. "Princess means business."

But I shoot him a glare. "Don't patronize me."

Rafael leans forward, focusing his eyes entirely at me, "What exactly are you accusing us of?"

"Sabotage," I snap. "One of you- or all of you- are bleeding this company dry."

Elias smile coldly at my words. "Be careful, darling. Those are big words for a girl who's still learning how to play."

Feeling insulted, I stand tall to my full height, and meet each of their gazes. "I may be new, but I'm not blind, and I'm not afraid."

Tristan chuckles. "Oh, I like her."

But Jace remains expressionless and says calmly, "What do you propose we do about it?"

"An audit," I say firmly. "With full transparency on every account, every transfer and every single transaction. No exceptions will be made."

The boardroom falls silent and only the sound of Damon's fingers now drumming on the table---- whilst Luca has stopped---- can be heard.

"And who do you propose leads this audit?"

I meet his gaze and say, "Me."

There's quite a beat of silence, then Carter laughs. "She's got balls, I'll give her that."

However Rafael's lips twitch, forming a concerned look on his face.

"It's dangerous, Ariella. You're making enemies."

"Then let them come," I hiss. "I won't stand by while my father's empire burns."

Damon leans back in his seat and shakes his head at me.

"You're playing with fire."

"I know," I say, "And I'm ready to get burned."

There's a tense silence when I say that then finally, Damon stands.

"Fine. You'll get your audit, but understand this: you're crossing a line."

"Maybe it's time someone did," I shoot back at him.

He gazes at me sharply, annoyed at the silent insult I just gave him, but I don't flinch.

As the meeting turns into hushed conversations and narrowed eyes, I realize that my husbands are right---- I've declared war.

I gather my files, ignoring the way Carter watches me with something between amusement and admiration.

"BeCareful, wifey," he calls as I pass. "You're making yourself a target."

"Good," I say without looking back. "Let them try."

I leave the boardroom with my head held high, but honestly I wonder---- Can I really do this?

Outside the company, the city is the usual normal blur of light and noise, and I step into the sunlight, drawing a deep breath into my lungs and closing my eyes to get a grip on myself.

And then....

The world explodes around me, REALLY explodes and glass shatters, smoke fills my lungs, the ground bucks beneath my feet, and I'm thrown backward, my head slamming into the concrete.

... And everything goes black.