Chapter 41 

Chapter 41 

Aria’s POV 

*Dominic is unavailable? How am I sure you aren’t his enemy?” I said from behind the door of my suite, gripping the lamp in my hands. 

The man standing outside gave me an amused look, one brow lifting as he crossed his arms. If I were his enemy, Miss Aria, you’d already be dead.” 

I scowled. “That’s very reassuring.” 

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Relax. My name is Luca. Dominic sent me to escort you. Unless you want to stay locked up in here all day?” 

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the lamp. I hadn’t seen Dominic since last night, and I was getting restless. But trusting someone new in this world? That was a risk. 

Luca sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Look, I don’t have all day. Either you come willingly, or I drag you.” 

I narrowed my eyes. “Try it, and I’ll break your nose.” 

His lips twitched. “Feisty. I see why he likes you.” 

Heat prickled my skin, but I ignored it. Instead, I exhaled sharply, placing the lamp down before stepping out. Two guards were standing behind him, both wearing blank expressions. 

Luca smirked. “Good choice.” 

I rolled my eyes. “Where are we going?” 

“The beach.” He turned, already walking ahead. “Unless you’d rather stay locked up and miserable?” 

I sighed but followed. Anything was better than pacing the suite all day. 

The beach was beautiful. 

Golden sand stretched for miles, the ocean shimmering under the bright sun. The air smelled of salt and freedom something I hadn’t felt in a long time. 

There were people around, though most of them kept their distance. I could feel their stares, the way their gazes lingered on me and my guards. It wasn’t every day you saw a woman being escorted by armed men like she was some mafia princess. 

Luca walked beside me, surprisingly casual for someone who worked under Dominic. “You don’t look like someone who gets much sun.” 

I scoffed, indeed I was pale, but that wasn’t my fault. Genetics. “And you don’t look like someone who gives a damn about small talk.” 

He chuckled. “Touche. I am pissed about babysitting.” 

I shook my head ignoring him. 

The moment we reached the shoreline, I kicked off my sandals, sighing at the feel of warm sand between my toes. 

Then, without thinking, I peeled off my dress, leaving myself in the bikini I had found in my suite earlier. 

Luca whistled low. “Damn.” 

I shot him a glare. “Eyes up here, buddy.” 

He smirked but lifted his hands in surrender. “Just appreciating the view.” 

I shook my head, stepping forward. The waves lapped at my feet, the cool water soothing against my heated skin. 

And then- 

I tripped. 

Right into the water. 

A loud splash echoed, followed by laughter. 

I surfaced, coughing, hair sticking to my face as I glared at the source of the sound. 

A woman stood a few feet away, a bright grin on her face. She had long sun–kissed hair, golden brown skin, and eyes that sparkled with amusement. “You okay there?” 

I pushed my wet hair out of my face, laughing despite myself. “Oh, just great. Thought I’d go for a swim.” 

She smirked. “Nice form.” 

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Chapter41 

I snorted. “Yeah? Think I could make it to the Olympics?” 

She pretended to consider it. “Maybe. If the category was best accidental dive.” 

I laughed again, and for the first time in a while, it felt real. 

She extended a hand. “I’m Amara.” 

I shook it. “Aria.” 

“Nice to meet you, Aria. Let’s see if we can keep you from drowning today.” 

I grinned. 

For the first time in a long time 

I felt normal. 

*** 

We spent the next hour in the water, laughing, splashing, and just enjoying the sun on our skin. It had been so long since I had let myself relax like this, and I could tell Amara felt the same. 

At some point, Luca wandered closer, watching us from the shoreline. His arms were crossed, his gaze assessing but not intruding. 

“Your bodyguard?” Amara asked, nodding toward him. 

“More like a glorified babysitter,” I muttered. 

She laughed. “I think he’s staring at you.” 

I rolled my eyes. “He’s making sure I don’t disappear.” 

Amara tilted her head. “Are you in trouble?” 

I hesitated. “Something like that.” 

She didn’t push. Instead, she grinned. “Well, if you’re not on the run, then let’s do something fun.” 

And so we did. 

After drying off, we roamed through the nearby shops, trying on ridiculous sunglasses, eating fresh fruit from the market stalls, and stealing moments of freedom that felt too good to be true. 

But then- 

Everything changed. 

I noticed it when we stepped into a boutique, a small store lined with handmade jewelry and summer dresses. 

Amara stiffened. 

Her entire body language shifted–from carefree and smiling to tense and afraid. 

I followed her gaze. 

A man stood by the counter, his back to us. He was tall, broad, wearing an expensive suit that didn’t match the casual setting of the island. 

And then he turned. 

The second Amara saw his face, she froze. 

Panic flashed across her features, her eyes wide, her lips slightly parted. 

My stomach dropped. 

“Amara,” I whispered. “Who is that?” 

She didn’t answer. 

The man’s eyes locked onto her, dark and sharp. 

And then, he smirked. 

Amara grabbed my wrist, squeezing it so hard it almost hurt. 

“We need to go,” she whispered, her voice shaking. 

But before we could move- 

“Amara,” the man drawled, stepping toward us. “I thought I told you not to run from me.” 

The tone of his voice sent a shiver down my spine. 

Amara was terrified. 

I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew one thing- 

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Chapter 41 

This man was dangerous. 

I turned sharply toward Luca, who had been watching from outside. 

His gaze flickered between Amara and the man, instantly recognizing the tension. 

I didn’t have to say anything. 

Luca moved. 

The man barely had time to react before Luca was between us, towering over him with a deadly expression. 

“Problem?” Luca asked, voice low. 

The man clenched his jaw. “This doesn’t concern you.” 

Luca smirked. “See, that’s where you’re wrong.” 

I tugged Amara back, keeping her close as Luca stepped even closer to the man, lowering his voice to something only he could hear. 

I didn’t know what he said. 

But whatever it was- 

The man paled. 

His hands clenched at his sides, his jaw tight with barely concealed rage. 

But he didn’t move. 

Not when Luca tilted his head. Not when he gave him one final warning look. 

And then- 

The man turned on his heel and walked out. 

The second he was gone, Amara broke. 

She collapsed against me, her entire body shaking as she buried her face in my shoulder. 

“Hey,” I whispered, rubbing her back. “It’s okay. You’re okay.” 

But she wasn’t. 

Not yet. 

I led her to the nearest restroom, letting her cry, letting her breathe, letting her feel everything she had probably been holding in for far too long. 

And when she finally spoke- 

She told me everything. 

Her hands trembled as she gripped the sink, her knuckles white. “His name is Dario Russo.” 

I frowned. The name wasn’t familiar, but from the way she said it, the way her voice wavered, I knew he wasn’t just any ordinary man. 

Amara let out a bitter laugh, swiping at her tear–streaked cheeks. “I bet you’ve met men like him before.” 

I hesitated. “What kind of man is he?” 

Her lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “The kind that pretends to love you just so he can own you.” My stomach twisted. I knew that type of man too well. 

I stayed quiet, giving her the space to continue. 

“I met him two years ago,” she said, voice hollow. “He was charming at first. Attentive. Always knew the right things to say.” She let out a breath. “Then little things started happening. The jealousy. The questions. The ‘Where were you?‘ and ‘Who were you with?‘ and ‘Why didn’t you answer your phone?” 

I recognized the pattern before she even said it. 

“He isolated you,” I murmured. 

She nodded. “Yeah. Slowly. So slowly I didn’t even realize what was happening.” She swallowed hard. “By the time I did, it was too late.” 

I clenched my fists. “Did he hurt you?” 

She flinched at the question. 

That was enough of an answer. 

“How bad?” I asked, my voice quieter. 

Amara’s eyes shined with fresh tears. “The first time, it was just a slap. He said I made him angry. That he didn’t mean it.” 

Chapter 41 

I gritted my teeth. They always say that. 

She exhaled shakily. “Then it was pushing. Then grabbing. Then…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I don’t even know when I started making excuses for him. When I started believing him when he said it was my fault.” 

A lump formed in my throat. 

She wiped at her cheeks again, her voice barely a whisper. “I tried to leave. He wouldn’t let me.” 

I reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. 

“You don’t have to go back,” I said. 

She let out a humorless laugh. “You think it’s that easy?” 

No. I knew it wasn’t. 

Men like Dario didn’t let women leave. 

“I don’t have anywhere to go,” she admitted, voice thick with emotion. “No money, no family, nothing. And he knows that. The island is all I know. I used to work at a restaurant but now I have nothing.” 

I took a deep breath. 

Then- 

“Stay with me.” 

Amara blinked, startled. “What?” 

I shrugged. “I have a room. It’s safe. He won’t get to you there.” 

Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but I saw the hesitation in her eyes. 

She wanted to believe me. 

She just didn’t know if she could. 

“I-” she started, then stopped. “Aria, I don’t even know you.” 

I smiled softly. “Maybe it’s time for you to trust a stranger instead of a monster.” 

She stared at me, her breath unsteady. 

Then, finally, she exhaled. 

“Okay.” 

I squeezed her hand again. 

This wasn’t over. 

Dario would come looking. 

But when he did- 

He’d find out that Amara wasn’t alone anymore. 

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