He didn't come after her immediately. But Aria knew he would. She had barely made it down to her room when she felt him.
"Aria,"
She didn't stop but his hand caught her wrist, firm enough. He turned her to face him, his grip shifting slightly, his eyes locking into hers with a focus that made the air between them tighten.
"You don't walk away from me like that," he said.
"And you don't control me. That's what you're doing in case you don't know."
The air remained thin, charged, fragile in a way that felt like it could snap any moment. "You think you could walk up to Scorpion, unharmed?"
"I will handle it," she replied. "How do you think I survived all these years?"
His gaze didn't shift. "No matter how strong you are," he continued, "You need to plan every move."
Aria took a step closer, ignoring the loud beats in her ear. "And the kiss?" she asked. "Was it planned? Because you think I don't know what I'm doing?"
His gaze held hers still, refusing to back down. "And you didn't want it?" It was almost like a whisper to her alone. "Because, your body language said otherwise." Before she could think, her hands landed on his cheek. For a second, no one moved.
"I'll leave you to your business."
Ben Vale's office was quiet when Scorpion arrived with his men hidden in every corner. He sat comfortably in one of the chairs, one leg crossed over the other, his posture relaxed as though he had all the time in the world. The room around him was furnished to taste. Ben Vale stepped in an hour later, extending his hand "Scorpion!" he said warmly, "What a surprise. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No problem,"
"I had to make sure there were no bombs tucked into every corner. Given your reputation."
"Old friend," he said calmly without raising his hand. "If I wanted this place gone, you'll would be roasting by now."
Ben let out a short laugh and moved to his desk, settling into his chair. "So," he said, folding his hands lightly. "What brings you here?"
"The Debt Collector," he said.
Ben's expression changed. "Our common enemy. What about him?"
"He's holding Aria hostage."
The silence that followed stretched longer than it should have. Ben poured a drink and leaned back slightly. "How did you know?"
"He sent her to me," He smiled, "She belongs to him now."
Ben exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders tightening. "I'll get her back."
"I like her," he said and stood. "And you'll give her to me instead."
Ben's eyes snapped into his direction. "You cannot have her. She's family."
"And yet," Scorpion replied softly. "You wanted her dead." He took two steps closer. "You owe me, Ben. Should we go down to reminder lane?"
"I wouldn't want that."
"Very well, get her back and bring her to me."
Ben sat in Lucien's office and waited, thinking of ways to present his request. Lucien received him, sitting opposite him and offered him a drink.
"Mr. Vale," Lucien said as though the visit meant very little. "You're becoming more familiar with your visits. Perhaps you want to join us?"
Ben smiled and relaxed as his eyes moved, taking in the room. "There are...talks going around about Aria."
Lucien took a slow sip of his drink, his gaze resting somewhere past Ben's shoulder. "What about her?"
"That you've taken interest."
His lips curled faintly, but not in amusement. "I talk business, not women."
Ben placed the glass down, his smile thinning . "Then, I want her back."
He moved without warning, fast enough that Ben didn't process it until his arm was seized, his balance broken, and his body laced forward. His forehead met the edge of the table with a hard crack and the glass trembled.
"You dare," his said, his voice calm, "to put a price on what belongs to me?"
"I didn't mean-"
"I should have killed you the first time you walked to my territory," he continued. "I didn't because of her."
The words landed heavier than the force. "The person
you wanted dead."
"No...no."
"And now," He cut in, "You come asking for her?"
"She's engaged," he said quickly.
Lucien stilled and something in the air shifted. "To whom?"
"It's not important."
He stepped back, picking up his glass again. "You wanted her dead."
Ben didn't respond but adjusted his tie.
"She will die. But it will be when I decide."
"But I-"
"And this man she's engaged to," he added, raising his head to Ben's. "Tell him him I'm not done with her on my bed."
The meaning settled in the space between them. "She still interest's me."
The afternoon settled into something unusually calm. It was weekend and for once, there were no missions, no raised voices, no urgency. She sat with Linda and the twins in one of the open lounge areas, the wide windows letting in light and the loud noise of the city. A table sat between them, scattered with half-finished drinks and cups.
"The new so-called collectors are bold," Linda said, leaning back to the couch, sipping a drink. "Too bold for newcomers."
"Bold gets you murdered." Fernandez huffed lightly.
"Or, promoted." Linda shots back. "And why are you not in the holy place? Today's Sunday."
Fernandez leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "If they keep pushing like that, the Debt Collector will have their ass before the weekend ends."
"You're changing the subject." she said. "Speaking of, how did you meet him?"
Aria lifted her eyes from her phone. The twins exchanged a look and laughed.
"That's not a proud story."
"Yes, how?" Aria added, "I won't be surprised if he placed a gun in your head and asked you to surrender."
"We were armed robbers," Fernandez said and turned to Aria.
Linda blinked. "You robbed him?"
"We tried," Fernando corrected.
"So, he welcomed you after you robbed him?" Aria asked.
"He was... like a brother."
Linda leaned back again, though her expression still held a trace of skepticism. "So, the Debt Collector has a soft side."
"He endured a lot," Fernando said, his face dim. "His parents died when he was three."
Aria sat still, her thoughts turning over quietly, her mind imagining Lucien as a kid going through all that. "That's a punishment on it's own." she muttered, more to herself.
A man stopped and turned to them. "The boss wants you, Aria."
As they walked together, her heart thumped loudly.
She paused at the doorway before stepping in. For a moment, she watched him sat behind his desk, pen moving steadily across paper. His face gave nothing away. She recalled their last argument didn't end well.
"Leave," he told the man standing at the door as Aria walked in and took a seat.
"You asked for me."
Lucien leaned back, studying her like he was trying read past what she was showing. "Your uncle came."
Her expression barely changed. "Why? To check if I'm dead?"
"Yes."
"And what will you do?"
A faint smile tugged at his mouth, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And congratulations," he added. "You're engaged."
"That man will say anything," she scoffed.
"We won't give him what he wants."
She inhaled slowly. "I'll go to Scorpion."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"I'll let him think he has control," she continued. "Lay bait. Get close enough to find out what he knows."
"Who will protect you?" he said his voice quieter, rougher at the edges. "He will kill you the moment you get to him."
His gaze dropped briefly, then returned to her face, slower this time. It made her suddenly aware of the space between them. Aria felt it.
Don't let him get close again.
"I will," she said, standing up to leave. "It's my battle now, Debt Collector."
"How about our deal?" he said, walking towards her. "I could lock you up and damn everything that fool said."
Aria held her breath. "You don't get to-"
"You won't leave, Aria." he added, "Because I need you exactly where you are."
"What do you mean?"
"He will come to you. Trust me."