POV: Aria
His sound was like a blade cutting through the air.
"I know you." Aria Voss. "Daughter of a rat."
The room went cold around me. My heart hit my ribs hard. Santino leaned in closer, and his shadow covered me like he had sucked in the light.
Every time I took a breath, it felt like glass was scraping down my throat.
Aria said in a whisper, "You... you're lying."
"Oh, I don't lie, sweetheart," Santino said with a low laugh. I deal in truth. The ugly, sharp, bloody truth.
As he got closer, the smell of his cologne mixed with the smoke in the room. When I hit the wall, his arm shot out and trapped me.
"You don't know anything about me," Aria said.
"Don't I?" asked Santino with a grin. Aria Voss. Your dad was Samuel Voss, and he was a spy. He was a rat who betrayed his own men for money and safety. While you play dress-up in silk and act like you don't smell like him, you are his sweet daughter.
When I heard my dad's name, it hurt like hell. It hurt to stand because my chest got so tight. Things I had tried to forget, like my dad's cold threats, the nights he left, and the morning he never came home, kept coming back to me.
Even though I tried to turn my face into stone, I knew that my eyes were lying.
"My father is dead," Aria said, shaking her head. He can no longer bother me.
"Oh, but you're wrong," Santino said with a smile. Aria, family ties never die. They go bad. And that filth is in your blood.
He brushed a hair off my face with a hand that looked very gentle.
"Work for me, or your family bleeds," Santino said in my ear.
It felt like ice in my gut.
Aria, who is crying, says, "You wouldn't"
Santino pulled back and smiled like a wolf, "Try me." I already know where your mom hides. What about your brother? That nice guy who thinks college is a safe place for him? Before he ends his next class, I could take away his life.
He didn't move when I pushed him back. Muscle and power were all I felt in my hands. He laughed at me like I was a kid going up against a wall.
Aria, angry, yelled, "Get away from them!"
"Then stay close to me," Santino said in a mocking tone.
"What do you want from me?" Aria asked, shaky and angry.
Darkly, Santino said, "Everything." Eyes. Listen. Lie. I want you to follow me around Dominic's world. You must tell me everything he whispers and hides.
I was struck by lightning when I heard the name Dominic. My face got very hot.
"This isn't about business," Aria said in a defensive tone. This is a fight for revenge.
"You're quick," Santino said with a cold smile. Yes. Dominic made me spend a lot of money. Now you're going to help me hurt him from the inside. If not, your family will pay the price.
My knees were weak. It made me want to scream and scratch his face, but fear held me back. You could use my family against me. They were the last weak part of me I had tried to guard.
"Do you think I'll betray Dominic for you?" Aria asked, her voice breaking.
"Not for me," Santino said with a shrug. For them. For the people you care about. It's in your blood, Aria, so don't worry. "You'll do great."
What he said was poison. Dominic made me hate, want, and fear him, and now I had to betray him.
Aria asked in a shaking, quiet voice, "What if Dominic finds out?"
"Then you're already dead," Santino said, leaning in closer and mumbling. Your family will live, though. "For a while."
Something else was in his smile that I couldn't quite put my finger on yet. But something inside me told me Santino's plan was bigger than just Dominic's.
I stood up straight and fought back tears. Even if Santino wanted to break me, I wouldn't do it for him.
Aria said in a cold voice, "Fine." I'll play your game. But I swear I'll kill you if you touch them.
There was a funny tilt to his head.
Santino says, "There she is, the fire I've been waiting to see." Aria, don't lose it. It will help you.
He took a step back, and I could breathe again. But my chest hurt from anger and hopelessness.
How did the bad things my dad did follow me here?
How did I turn into a pawn for two devils?
In my pocket, my phone beeped. I took it out with shaking hands. The screen showed a message:
Number Unknown: We have your files. Aria, be careful what you pick.
My face lost all of its blood. My laptop was stolen, along with my notes, study, and secret plans. There was someone else in this game.
A quiet Aria asked herself, "God, what have I walked into?"
Santino laughed behind me, as if he already knew.
That's when I understood this wasn't just a double game.
It was a trap that could kill.
Aria is now stuck because someone has hacked her secrets and she has to spy on Dominic for Santino.