The first rule of surviving Ares Knight was never let him know you're uncertain.
Ava repeated this to herself as she stepped into the town car that arrived precisely at seven. The driver greeted her with a respectful nod—another one of Ares's employees who never said more than necessary.
The dinner was last-minute, a "private engagement" with board members of a luxury cosmetics firm Ares was considering acquiring. Ava had received the invite—correction, the command—mid-afternoon. No explanation. No room to decline.
But now, things were different. Lilith's words lingered like smoke in her lungs.
You're not a player. You're a pawn.
Maybe. But if that were true, she'd be the most dangerous pawn Ares had ever moved.
Tonight, she was wearing a navy satin slip dress that brushed her ankles, paired with a cashmere coat that still had the tags on. Another one of Ares's unspoken gifts. Expensive, tailored, tastefully chosen. Just like everything he gave her—except affection.
He bought her everything, but never touched her.
Never kissed her again after that first forced wedding night.
Never even looked at her the same way unless someone was watching.
It was starting to drive her mad.
---
The restaurant was exclusive—one of those rooftops where you couldn't book a table unless your last name meant something.
Ares was already seated when she arrived. Dark suit. Crisp cuffs. Eyes like cold thunderclouds.
"Ava," he said as she approached, standing to pull out her chair. Always the gentleman.
Always the enigma.
"Thank you," she murmured, sitting. "You look like a CEO tonight."
He arched a brow. "And you look like someone who belongs in a portfolio cover spread."
"Careful. That almost sounded like a compliment."
A faint smile ghosted his lips. "Only almost."
The tension was an invisible violin string between them—tight, humming, threatening to snap.
She leaned forward slightly. "Why did you invite me tonight? There are no press cameras here. No paparazzi to charm."
"I didn't invite you," he said simply. "I brought you."
"Big difference."
"There is. One implies choice."
A beat of silence passed. Then Ava folded her hands neatly over the tablecloth.
"I met someone today. A woman. Blonde. Wears diamonds like armor. Said her name was Lilith Verlain."
She watched him closely.
For the first time in weeks, she saw something flicker in his expression. Surprise? Annoyance? Regret?
He didn't deny knowing her. Of course not. Ares Knight never wasted breath on lies.
"She used to be relevant," he said calmly, reaching for his glass of water. "To the media. And to me. That time has passed."
"She said you used her. Bought her things. Gave her power. Then took it all away."
He didn't flinch. "That's not entirely true."
"So what is the truth, Ares?"
He looked at her for a long time. There was a heaviness in his gaze that hadn't been there before.
"She knew the rules. I never promised her love. I never lied about who I am."
"And what about me?" she asked quietly.
His jaw clenched. "You were… a different situation."
"No," she said, cutting in. "Don't give me that. Either I'm a pawn or I'm not."
He leaned back, fingers steepled. "Do you feel like one?"
"I don't know what I feel anymore. That's the problem."
He didn't answer.
She sighed, anger and confusion swirling inside her like a storm. "You bought my name back, Ares. My father's company. You put it in my hands like a trophy, then vanished behind your shadow. You say nothing. You touch nothing. You treat me like I'm glass—but then hand me daggers."
Ares's face darkened. "Would you rather I lie to you, Ava? Pretend I care like other men do? Bring you roses, whisper pretty things at midnight?"
She blinked. Her heart gave a strange twist.
"I don't know what I want from you," she admitted. "But I know I want something real."
The silence that followed felt like falling off a ledge.
Then, softly, Ares said something that cracked the mask.
"I've given you everything I know how to give."
And for a moment, Ava forgot how to breathe.
He stood abruptly, tossing a few large bills on the table—not that they ever paid for dinners—and walked toward the balcony.
Ava followed.
Outside, the city spread below them like a kingdom. He gripped the marble railing, tense, controlled.
"You scare me, Ava," he said without looking at her.
She froze.
"You don't know what you do to me. And I don't know how to stop it without hurting you."
She stepped closer.
"Then don't stop it."
That made him turn. His eyes were unreadable.
"I destroy everything I get close to."
She looked up at him, unafraid. "Then maybe you've never been close to someone who could survive it."
---
That night, they didn't kiss. They didn't touch. But something shifted.
For the first time, Ares walked her to the car and placed his hand on her lower back—not possessively, but protectively. She felt it. So did he.
And for the first time, he whispered something just before the door closed.
"You're not a pawn. Not to me."
Then he walked away into the night.