I said stop watching us, Elias! You look like a damn predator.Talia Hayes's voice was a furious, low hiss. She pulled Aria's arm, dragging her back into the deep shadow of a velvet booth.Aria did not budge. Her eyes were locked on the far side of the Zenith Records sky suite. The club was a shimmering blur of success, packed with industry insiders and beautiful people.She only saw four men. Aether.The group had just finished the last, massive show of their world tour. Their energy was overwhelming, a wave of confident, arrogant power.Aria's gaze was held captive by Jax Ryland. He stood slightly apart. He was handsome, but more than that, he looked dangerous. His profile was sharp against the city lights, the tilt of his head emphasizing the predatory cut of his jaw. A sound that cut through the heavy bass, he was laughing. He had the look of a man who owned the entire city.Mind thought: He's running on fumes and adrenaline. Too many people watching. He's looking for a way out. I feel the exact same need for silence."Eli's just stressed, Tali. You're loud," Aria muttered, still focused on Jax.Talia scoffed, adjusting her dress. "Stressed? He's always stressed. And look at Nick! He is angelic. Aria, you have to talk to them. This is fate! They are my Aether!" Talia was a director at a major cell phone company, but her obsession with the band was absolute."No, Talia. I'm on vacation. I am not playing wingman." Aria finally turned, her long dark hair swinging. She was in a tight black dress, but she moved like a highly trained athlete. She was done with her past life and needed oblivion.Suddenly, the music volume dipped sharply.The main velvet rope was pushed aside. A stunning woman with tear-streaked eyes stormed out. She stopped directly in front of Jax."You arrogant bastard! You think this is over? I will expose every single lie you told me! Every single—"Jax, his easy laughter instantly gone, raised a hand, ready to call security. He was slightly tipsy, the champagne finally hitting after the adrenaline crash, and he was too slow.Aria moved.It was pure military reflex. An unstable threat near a high-value target. In one seamless, lightning-fast motion, she was out of the booth. She closed the distance, placing a hand firmly on the screaming woman's back, and smoothly guided her away from the VIP circle."Sweetheart," Aria's voice was low, controlled, and dangerously calm. It was the voice of a commander. Your performance is over. Take the drama outside before I give you an actual reason to scream.The woman froze. She looked into Aria's cold, unflinching, deep brown eyes. She stammered, then fled the penthouse suite.A sudden, intense silence fell over the band members.Jax slowly turned. He looked at Aria, registering the black dress, the hair, and the absolute aura of lethal competence. This was not a fan. This was not a regular club-goer.A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. It was primitive. Appraising.Jax took a single step closer. He was handsome, but now he was something more. He was a problem."That was… efficient," Jax said, his voice a low, gravelly tenor. He stopped directly in front of her.Aria met his gaze. His sheer intensity caused a sudden, unsettling heat in her chest. She knew she should leave now."I didn't ask for your opinion," she replied, the words short and dry.Jax chuckled, a rich, genuine sound. He stepped into her personal space. The scent of his expensive cologne and champagne was intoxicating. "You didn't. But I owe you a proper thank you. And frankly, this room is too loud for the kind of conversation I want to have. I know a private space. I think," he leaned in, his breath hot against her ear, "you are exactly the distraction I need right now."Mind thought: He sees the dark edges in me. He wants to play with them. I need him to break my control. Just for one night.She felt the heat of his breath, the intoxicating scent of his cologne, and the hard pull of his demand. There was no space for 'no.' Aria felt the last of her soldier's resolve crumble under the weight of his simple demand."A conversation that can't wait?" Aria challenged, her voice a low murmur."No," Jax murmured. "A conversation that can't be heard."She lifted her hand, placed her palm flat against the solid wall of his chest, and pulled his mouth down to hers.The kiss was immediate, desperate, and rough. It was the mutual release of two people pushed to their limits. Jax's hands instantly crushed her against him. He was a passionate lover, his mouth moving against hers with a raw, demanding hunger. Aria responded with equal ferocity, her hands tangling in his dark hair, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss until the world was only the sharp, immediate sensation of his mouth on hers.Kellan looked up, surprised, but a security guard immediately blocked the view, smoothly redirecting his attention. Jax moved fast and discreetly.Jax broke the kiss. He took her hand and led her away from the VIP area. They walked down a short, unmarked hallway, through a door labeled "Staff Only," and into a small, luxurious service lounge—soundproofed, dark, and utterly private.Jax kicked the door shut."Now," Jax said, his voice husky and strained.He grabbed her again, kissing her with renewed urgency. The world outside the room was irrelevant. They stripped away their clothing with the urgency of two people finally claiming a necessary release. His dark eyes never left hers, seeking the affirmation in her gaze.Aria felt the last of her soldier's armor melting away. She reached up, pulling his shirt over his head, her hands running over the sculpted muscle of his back and shoulders.He moved down, his lips trailing hot desire across her skin, worshipping her with a patience that belied his immediate need. Aria was soon writhing beneath him, lost in a storm of sensation.Mind thought: This is only sensation. I don't know him. No names. No past. This is only safe because it's temporary.His mouth moved lower, following the lines of her taut abdomen. Aria felt the intense pleasure of being entirely desired.Jax moved back up, his body heavy and demanding against hers. He kissed her again, a deep, primal kiss that demanded everything.Jax positioned himself, his gaze locked with hers, a silent question passing between them. He entered her slowly, deliberately, shattering the last fragments of her composure and control.Aria cried out, clinging to his shoulders, feeling the exquisite pain and release of being claimed by someone so intense, so commanding. The rhythm began—slow, heavy, and consuming. Jax set the tempo, the powerful beat of a producer finding his perfect rhythm.They moved together, a symphony of raw need. Aria's hot temper translated into a fierce demand for control, clutching at him, pulling him deeper. Jax answered her intensity, his body dominating the space, his hands moving over her body, memorizing her shape.The climax was devastating, a complete, blinding release that stole her breath. For the first time in years, she felt completely out of orbit. Jax collapsed against her, his chest heaving, his face buried in the curve of her neck.The digital clock on the staff wall read 4:15 AM.Aria gently pushed at his shoulder. "Time," she whispered, her voice rough.Jax raised his head, his dark eyes deep and serious. He looked entirely focused."Don't run," he said, his voice low.Aria slid off the table, gathering her clothes with the practiced speed of someone completing a mission. The thin velvet lining of her dress was damp, and the zipper snagged slightly. "I'm not running. I'm leaving. This was a necessary distraction."She dressed quickly. She had to leave before he saw the faint, white scars on her body, before he asked questions she couldn't answer."I'll find you," Jax promised, sitting up. I don't forget people. Especially not the fire that saved me."Aria paused at the door. She met his gaze."Don't waste your time. I'm better off forgotten." She slipped out the door.Back in the main suite, Talia was slumped in the velvet booth, asleep. Aria shook her friend awake."We're leaving, Tali. Now."Jax stared at the closed door. The scent of her expensive perfume and something metallic still lingered. He grabbed his phone.He called his head of security, Marcus "Mac" Allen, who was stationed outside the suite."The woman. Black dress. Who was she? She just exited the service hall."Mac's voice crackled on the line. "Give me thirty seconds, Mr. Ryland. Checking club entry logs and guest lists now. She entered with a verified guest."Jax stood by the window, impatience burning in his gut. Mind thought: She moves like a weapon. She lies. I need her name to control this variable.The phone buzzed. Mac was back. "Mr. Ryland. The woman's name is Aria Thorne. She was signed in as a guest of Ms. Talia Hayes. She's the director from the cell phone company."Jax repeated the name slowly. Aria Thorne.He hung up, his heart rate accelerating. He knew his manager, Silas Trent, was deeply suspicious of the upcoming financial deal. Zenith Records was strong, but they were taking a cash injection from Vance Global Investments to fund a massive new creative venture.Jax grabbed his tablet. He pulled up the corporate documentation for the acquisition. He scrolled to the CEO: Elias Vance, the tall, powerful man he had seen in the club, the one who looked at Aria with intense, protective eyes.Then, he scrolled to the list of key investors and major shareholders in Vance Global. His eyes stopped on a name, stark and impossible.Aria Thorne was listed as a significant passive shareholder in the company attempting to acquire a major stake in his label.Jax felt a cold, hard knot form in his stomach. Mind thought: She is financially tied to the enemy. She moves like a mercenary, she lies easily, and she ended up in my private room on the night her brother's company begins the hostile acquisition.He didn't know she was a soldier, but he knew she was a connected rival. And he was determined to own every piece of this dangerous mystery.
