Chapter 204
Owen’s feet tangled and he stumbled straight into the glass door, his forehead smacking into it with a loud thud.
The impact knocked him back a few steps, leaving him momentarily dazed and unsteady
The crash was so abrupt that Aria, standing nearby, stared at him in shock, her eyes wide was it really that dramatic?
His forehead throbbed, but it was still manageable.
The truth was, Owen was genuinely stunned; of all things, he hadn’t expected her to call him “baby.”
Maybe it was because Aria was always so distant and reserved–those sweet, intimate syllables just didn’t suit her.
Not even a little. She’d said it without a shred of emotion.
Aria stepped closer, glancing at the rising bump on his forehead, searching for words. “You… are you okay?”
The lobby lights were bright. She glanced at him from the side, her lashes fluttering, a hint of concern in her clear eyes.
Owen couldn’t help but notice–her eyes really were beautiful: clear, cool, and impossibly distant, as if no one could ever truly reach her.
That chilliness created an invisible wall, warning people not to get too close, not to meet her gaze for too long.
But the echo of her calling him “baby” rang in his mind, and his heart thudded faster.
He averted his gaze, his throat suddenly dry.
Taking a couple of deep breaths, he pressed his fingers to his forehead, the sting bringing him back to reality.
Ever since she’d choked him during that sparring match, his body seemed to remember the rush of adrenaline–it crept up on him at the strangest
moments.
Owen knew exactly what this feeling meant.
There was something strange flickering in his eyes.
“Owen.” Aria’s voice was tinged with exasperation. “I’ll just call you by your name from now on.”
All that fuss over a nickname.
The glass door was automatic. Maybe Owen had moved too fast–he’d even startled the door into not opening in time.
Aria strode outside. Owen hesitated for just a moment, then followed after her.
Outside, Fryderyk and Mason were each waiting in their cars. The group regrouped at the curb.
Fryderyk spoke first. “Everything’s ready. The second you go in, we’ll move in and seal off the perimeter. No one’s getting out.”
He turned to Mason. “So, how did you convince them you could actually lure Aria out?”
With the police present, Mason relaxed a little. “I told them about Owen, said he and Ms. Saxon had a special relationship. Then…” He trailed off, embarrassed. “Should I really say this?”
Aria nodded. “Go ahead.”
Mason took a breath. “I told them you two wanted to try something wild in the great outdoors. Owen hinted he wanted some ‘recommendations, so I suggested Northside. As soon as you hit the outskirts, they planned to snatch you both.”
Chapter 204
His voice grew smaller and smaller, his head almost disappearing into his collar.
He hadn’t wanted to go this far, but racking his brains, this really seemned the least suspicious way to set the trap,
He’d even packed a tent and blankets in his car, just to sell the story.
Aria couldn’t help a way smile. “Thanks, Mr. Webb, for your–remarkable–thoroughness.”
Something that should have been simple had gotten unnecessarily complicated, and her own reputation was paying the price.
Of course, this whole plan was Fryderyk’s idea.
She shot him a sidelong look, then turned to Mason, hand outstretched. “Since you’ve prepared everything so well, Mr. Webb, hand me the keys
Mason passed them over.
Owen asked, “Will my car survive this?”
“Not a chance,” Aria replied, sliding straight into the driver’s seat.
