Aria's pov
Ethan lay slumped against the wall,his face looking like a ruined mess.
His nose was broken, lip split and eyes were already swelling shut. He groaned low, trying to push himself up but his arms gave out.
Lucian stood over him, knuckles raw and dripping red.
His shirt was torn at the sleeve, his eyes were still burning with that feral rage.
He turned to me.
"Get your things," he said, voice rough. "We're leaving."
I couldn't move. My legs felt locked to the floor. The room spun—Ethan's blood on the carpet, Lucian's split skin.I was still bewildered by the way his fist had kept coming even after Ethan stopped fighting.
Lucian stepped over Ethan like he was nothing and grabbed my wrist.
"Now, Aria."
His grip was iron. He pulled me toward the door. I stumbled after him, heels catching. My heart was slamming so hard I that thought it would crack my ribs.
The hallway was empty .My guess was that Lucian's security must have cleared it. We reached the private elevator. The doors slid open and he dragged me inside slamming the close button.
The second the doors sealed, he spun me against the mirrored wall, his hands caging me in on either side of my head.
His breathing was ragged. His eyes were wild, pupils blown.
"You let him touch you," he growled.
"I didn't—" I started.
His mouth crashed down on mine.
The kiss was brutal,our teeth clashing and his tongue invading mine that it felt like torture.
I shoved at his chest, hard, but he didn't budge. His body pressed me flat against the glass, hips pinning mine with one thigh forcing my legs apart.
I pushed back trying to get away from his tight grip.When he finally pulled back, both of us were gasping,him of what seemed like pleasure and me of frustration.
"You called him," he said, voice hoarse. "You came here alone with him."
"I was angry Lucian," I spat. "You slapped me and locked me in like I was some slave. I felt like nothing but a whore to you.I can't be blamed for trying to get out."
His eyes flashed. "You hurt me by letting him put his hands on you."
I laughed. "You hurt me first Lucian. You hit me. In front of everyone.What am I supposed to feel, Lucian? Safe or Terrified?"
He stared at me, chest still rising fast. For the first time, I saw something crack in his expression,he wasn't being mean,he was concerned but was trying very hard to hide it.
"That's not the point Aria.I saw his hands on you," he said quietly. " How could you let that happen? No one touches what's mine."
I swallowed. "I'm not a thing."
"You're my wife."
"On paper."
He leaned in again, forehead pressing to mine. "No. Not just on paper–"
The elevator dinged. Doors opened to the underground parking garage cutting short whatever it is he was about to say.
Lucian pulled back, breathing hard. He took my hand gentler this time and led me to the waiting black SUV.
His driver didn't look at us. Just drove.
The ride was silent except for our breathing. Lucian's knuckles were still bleeding but he didn't seem to notice.
Then his phone rang.
He answered without looking. "Yes."
A pause then His face hardened.
"Understood. Handle it quietly."
He hung up.
"Hospital," he said. "Ethan's being taken in.The Police are now involved."
My stomach dropped. "What?"
"Witnesses called it in.Apparantly there was a video that caught everything,a lady in the opposite room made it." He met my eyes. "They'll want statements."
I stared at him. "You almost killed him."
"I would have," he said simply. "If you hadn't screamed."
******
The SUV pulled into the hospital's private entrance. Security was already waiting, mostly Lucian's people.
They ushered us through a side door, past flashing cameras and shouting reporters.
Inside a private waiting room, a detective waited.
"Mr. Voss. Mrs. Voss." He nodded politely.
"We need statements about the incident at the Grand Horizon."
Lucian's hand tightened on mine. "It was self-defense officer. He attacked my wife and I had to intervene."
The detective looked at me. "Mrs. Voss?"
I swallowed. My cheek still stung from Lucian's slap earlier. My mind screamed to tell the truth everything including the horror I went through in his hands.
But I looked at Lucian. His eyes were steady, waiting for me to make a mistake so he would make me regret it.
I thought of Ethan's hands on me as
dragging me back and the way he'd hissed "You're still mine."
I thought of Lucian storming in, fists flying, protecting me when no one else ever had.
"I was attacked," I said quietly. "My husband defended me."
The detective nodded, scribbling notes.
"We'll need to take formal statements later.
For now, you're free to go."
Lucian's thumb brushed my knuckle gently."Let's go Love"
"What an actor"I thought to myself as we left the hospital building.
In the car after long minutes of silence,Lucian finally spoke. "You covered for me."
I looked at him. Blood still stained his shirt. His knuckles were wrapped now, but the bandages were already spotting red.
"You saved me," I whispered. "From him,I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come in."
He reached over, cupped my cheek,the same one he'd slapped earlier. This time his touch was soft.
"I'm sorry," he said. "For earlier,I wasn't myself and I promise it won't happen again."
Tears burned behind my eyes. "You scare me, Lucian.I know I signed a contract but I feel caged and in prison,I literally can't breathe around you."
"I know Aria."
His forehead pressed to mine.
"But I'll never let anyone hurt you again. Definitely not Ethan.You are safe with me now."
I closed my eyes. His breath mingled with mine and for the first time since the contract, I didn't feel completely alone.
And that terrified me more than anything.