Aria's POV:
As I recounted the events to Shadow, his expression shifted from curiosity to shock. "Okay, I was taken after my shift at the diner I worked at," I began, bracing myself for his reaction.
"What the fuck?" Shadow exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
I continued. "My father owes the mafia money. He stole it from the boss he worked for, Cassian Romano."
Shadow's visible fear in his eyes prompted me to ask, "What's wrong?"
He took a moment to collect himself before responding, "What does your father do for Cassian?"
"He was his accountant," I revealed, watching Shadow closely.
"Silas?" he asked with a hint of recognition.
Surprised, I questioned, "Do you know my father?"
Shadow sighed heavily, his demeanor grave. "Aria, your father was his money launderer. He gets rid of his dirty money by putting it in legitimate businesses."
The pieces of a dark puzzle began to fall into place. "So, that was why he stole, huh? Because he knew Cassian cannot go to the police," I concluded,anger and realization brewing within me.
"He planned on leaving me there all along," I added, the betrayal of my father weighing heavily on my shoulders.
"But how do you know all this?"
Shadow's response was laden with caution. "I don't want you to panic, but you have to know this—Dom and I, we work for Cassian."
I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Did he say they both work for Cassian? And my father was a launderer? My father, the person I looked up to, the one who always protected me, was involved in illegal activities. It felt like a punch to the gut, shattering my perception of him as my hero.
All those memories of us together, the laughter, the struggles we faced after my mother passed away—it all seemed tainted now. How could he have hidden such a dark truth from me? Was our bond just a facade covering up his criminal life?
I had been living in a bubble, unaware of the dangers lurking in the shadows. Now, trapped in this nightmare, I felt lost and betrayed. My future seemed uncertain, overshadowed by the sins of my father and the dangerous world he was a part of.
Tears streamed down my cheeks. The person I trusted the most had deceived me, and I didn't know who to turn to or what to believe anymore.
*****
Ace and Lucas were huddled over the CCTV footage in the dimly lit warehouse, trying to trace Aria's escape route.
Ace broke the tense silence. "So, what's the plan now? If I don't get the girl, then I want my fucking money back."
Lucas, with a hint of desperation, responded, "Help me get her, and I will help you get your money."
Ace nodded in agreement. "Sure, but I need to inform Cassian."
Lucas's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you out of your fucking mind? He will kill us both if he finds out."
Ace leaned in, his voice low but firm. "Think about it. Do you think he will believe that she just escaped? He will assume she was given free rein to roam about. And who the fuck gives a kidnapped person free will? So, if you don't tell him, I will tell him myself."
Ace stood up, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Now, get me my money and call Cassian."
Cassian's POV:
The sensation of unease crept over me like a shadow, a subtle but insistent feeling that something was amiss. The silence around me felt too thick, too heavy with unspoken tension. Instinct kicked in, that primal sense that warned of danger lurking in the shadows.
Without hesitation, I pressed harder on the accelerator, urging my car to greater speed. Every second counted, every moment away felt like a misstep. I needed to get back, needed to be there, where the threads of control were slipping through my fingers.
The engine roared as I pushed it to its limit, the road blurring past in a haze of urgency. Thoughts raced through my mind. What had happened in my absence? What had I missed?
My grip tightened on the wheel, knuckles white with tension. I couldn't afford to waste time. Whatever awaited me, I would face it head-on. I would reclaim control, restore order, no matter the cost.