Chapter 11
Chapter 11
At the Norrian Club, the VIP lounge screamed luxury–soft lighting, plush velvet everywhere, total high class vibe.
Finn slouched in an armchair, a cigarette pinched between his fingers. Smoke drifted as he took a slow drag, his sharp jawline and icy eyes giving nothing
He looked untouchable, like the world could bum and he’d just shrug
“Yo. Finn,” Russell Briggs, his right–hand man, said, leaning in, “Your trip back was supposed to be under wraps.
“How’d you end up dodging bullets the second you landed?”
Hugo Vaughn, sipping a bourbon at the bar, jumped in. “Gotta be an inside jobs, man. Someone ratted you out.”
Finn’s gaze flicked up, a smirk ghosting his lips. “if they want me dead, they’re gonna need a bigger set of balls.”
His voice was cold, dripping with scorn. Last night’s hit squad? Not even worth his time.
But that spitfire he’d stumbled across in the woods? She was worth a second thought.
Russell raised an eyebrow. “Alright, but what’s up with you and your nephew’s fiancée? Internet’s losing it, saying you two are a thing.”
Hugo grinned, tossing back his drink. “What’s good, Finn? You out here stealing your nephew’s girl? Cradle–robber vibes?”
Finn’s lips twitched, and then he dropped a bomb. “What kind of ring says ‘this is the real deal 7”
Russell and Hugo froze, jaws practically on the floor
Russell blinked hard, his brow creasing like he was trying to solve a puzzle. “Whoa, hold the phone. You’re not seriously planning to put a ring on Arya, are you?”
Hugo
nearly spit his drink. “Bro, if you marry her, your nephew’s gotta call her ‘Auntie Arya.” You cool with that soap opera–level mess!”
Russell shook his head. Torget that. Your dad’ll have a stroke. Arya already made your nephew look like a total loser at the Norrian Club casino. No way he’s signing off.”
Hugo snorted, barely holding it together. “Hey, and Malcolm’s out here calling himself the ‘King of Gambling‘? Got his ass handed to him by a girl. Who’s feeding his ego?”
They were still cracking up when Finn’s low, smooth voice cut through like a blade. “We’ve already hooked up. I’m not messing around.”
The room went stone cold silent.
Finn, the guy who dodged women like they were bad news? Countless hotties had tried to win him over and crashed hard.
One even slipped him a mickey–Finn had her shipped to some desert hellhole, no word since.
If they didn’t know better, they’d have sworn he played for the other team.
Russell’s jaw dropped, eyes wide as sauters. “Hold up, you just got off a plane last night and got jumped, right? When the hell did you hook up with her?”
Finn’s icy, dark eyes flashed with a feral edge. “Crossed paths in the woods last night. Things happened.”
“No freaking way!” Hugo choked, looking like he’d seen a ghost. “I had you down as Mr. Ice–Cold Celibate. Turns out you’re the slickest dog around, stealing your nephew’s fiancée in the dama forest!”
Asly smirk ghosted across Finn’s lips.
14:36, Web, 16. Jun.
Chapter 11
His mind ficked back to her–those teasing, come here–but–not–realty vibes, playing hard to get just enough to drive him nuts. The heat he In his chest flared up, raw and restless
A woman like that? He’d be crazy to let her slip away.
Russell, always with the big ideas, leaned in.“, Finn, you hear about that purple diamond? The one by Leo, that big deal designer? It’s one of a kind, costs a fortune, and it’s up at the Estelle Auction tonight. If you’re gonna pop the question to Arya, grab that rock. It’ll shut your punk nephew up and make Arya look like a total queen.”
Russell was just tossing it out there. That diamond was worth more than a yacht, and Finn? He didn’t give a crap about glitzy auctions.
Dropping stacks on jewelry for a girl? So not his style.
But then Finn–cool as ice, sharp as a blade–flashed a wicked grin. “Sounds like a plan.“
Russell and Hugo froze. Again.
8:00 PM, Estello Auction House. Arya, decked out in a flawless disguise, slid into her VIP seat on the second floor.
She wore a stock purple V–neck dress that hugged her curves just right, making her look like she’d stepped straight out of a fantasy.
Her long wavy hair spilled down her back, and with her flawless makeup and cool confidence, she had everyone in the room staring
sworld.
Purple’s a tricky color–most girls couldn’t make it work. But Arya? She owned it, looking like some magical queen who didn’t belong in this v
As she settled in, the gossip started flying.
“Who’s that hottie? Never seen her before.”
“No kidding, Flodes City doesn’t have girls that gorgeous except Arya,”
“Her makeup’s fire. I’m jealous of that glow.”
“Bet she’s some loaded girl who just hopped off a fight from some fancy foreign place.”
The whispers were low, but Arya’s sharp ears caught every word. She didn’t bat an eye, though–just sat there, calm and collected, waiting for the auction to stMT.
Across the room, Malcolm slouched in his sest, arm around Eloise.
Word was, Estello had some primo stuff up for grabs tonight, and he figured he’d snag a couple pieces to keep his girl happy
“Malcolm, baby,” Eloise purred, snuggling closer. “My cousin was so out of line at Norrian Club. You can’t keep letting her slide, you
Truth was, Eloise was paranoid Malcolm still had a thing for Arya.
The girl was stunning. So, she kept dropping hints, hoping to turn him against her.
But Malcolm wasn’t listening. His eyes were locked on the beauty in purple across the room,
know?”
When she got up and left, he barely registered Elbise’s voice. “Yo, babe, hold up. Gotta hit the restroom,” he mumbled, already hallway out of his seat
Eloise, too wrapped up in Malcolm, didn’t evighnotice Arya. “Hurry back, okay?” she good, flashing a flirty
Malcolm’s jaw twitched. That sweet, clingy tone used to drive him wild. Now? After getting her, it just annoyed him.
‘Guess you always want what you can’t have, he thought
14:36 Wed, 11 Jun
Chapter 11
In the ladies‘ room, Arya leaned into the mirror, touching up her lip gloss.
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She studied her reflection, making sure she looked nothing like her usual self, Satisfied, she tucked her makeup bag away and turned to head back
“Hey, gorgeous,” a slick voice called out.
Malcolm swaggered over, smoothing his gelled–up hair and throwing on a cheesy smile. “Haven’t we met somewhere?” he asked, leaning in.
