Page 22 of Ever Dark

“Taking a little break from harassing helpless women? Or are you trying to get her to sell her house to you too?” I snarl.

The pretty blonde girl he’s talking to snorts into her drink before scampering off.

Aries widens his stance, a show of dominance, as he flashes me a wicked grin. “You’re far from helpless. Or so I’m told.”

I know it was him who sent the masked intruder, but hearing him allude to it, pretty much admitting guilt, fires me up. “You assholes are out of control. You can’t just break into someone’s house in the middle of the night and expect to get away with it.”

Aries licks his lips and bridges the short gap between us. He towers over me, his blue-green eyes sparkling with charm and malice. “Be careful, Mia. I don’t like threats.”

I take a step toward him, forcing him to inch back. “Neither do I.”

We glare at each other in a way where I don’t know if I want to slap him or fuck him. He’s beautiful and hot as fuck. But the way he looks at me… he’s more dangerous than the one he sent to scare me. He’s too controlled. Too fucking cold for my blood.

He hovers his mouth over my ear. “Just sign the papers, Mia. Then maybe we can be friends. I’d love to share another bottle of expensive wine with you.”

I’m fucking fuming. “You can’t threaten me and flirt with me at the same time, asshole. That’s like… like not okay.” My cheeks are burning.

He chuckles. “You’re flustered. Your pussy must be so confused right now. I bet my cock can get her to relax,” he whispers in my ear.

I gasp.The fucking arrogance of this man. Without thinking, I step back and throw the last few sips of chardonnay at his face.

His eyes darken like he wants to murder me. He grabs my wrist, and the empty glass goes crashing to the ground. Luckily, the music is so loud only a few people hear it break on the cement. I look around to see the few witnesses turn away. No one fucks with Aries Thorn, apparently. Even if he’s manhandling a woman half his size. Good to know. Fuck.

“You wanna play rough with me behind closed doors? Well, I’m game, little lamb. But don’t you ever embarrass me in public like that again.” The tone of his voice sends a chill up my spine.

“Get your hand off me, and stay the fuck away from my house,” I bite back. I cannot let this man start to think he has any power over me.

“What is going on here?” Villette cries. “Aries, let my friend go, please.”

He drops my wrist immediately and steps away, slipping his mask back into place with a charming, albeit fake, smile for my beautiful host. “She stumbled, and her drink spilled. I was just holding her up. Isn’t that right?”

I shoot daggers at him before turning to Villette. “I didn’t fall. I threw a drink in his face because he’s an asshole who’s been harassing me for a week to sell my property.”

Aries rolls his eyes and lets out a deep, dramatic sigh. “It’s not harassment, it’s business. Your new friend here is confused.”

Villette’s mouth drops open. “Are you fucking for real, Ries? Is this what you all have been whispering about since I got back?”

“Lower your voice, Lettie,” Aries cautions.

“Don’t tell her what to do,” I snap a little too loudly.

He steps toward me again, his eyes murderous. “This is not your town, little lamb. And we are not your people. So sign the papers, take the money, and get the fuck out.”

“Aries Thorn, how dare you?” Villette yells. “I know your mother did not raise you to be a heathen. Apologize right now.”

From behind him, I see Bones charging toward us, his jaw clenched. “Que chingados esta pasando?”

“What the fuck is going on is that Aries is harassing my new friend,” Villette huffs out.

He sighs and gives Aries a death stare. “Lettie, you don’t understand the whole situation. It’s complicated.”

Her eyes widen. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re a part of this too? I should’ve known.”

While I’m grateful to Lettie for sticking up to her brother and his friend for me, the realization of why he looks so familiar hits me like a ton of bricks.Oh, fuck. My palms sweat, and my stomach knots.

“It was you.” I jab my finger into his chest, cutting Lettie off.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

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