Aiden
Some people steal. Some lie. Some beg. I simply take.
She didn't text me back. Not after last night. Not after I left her tangled in silk sheets, flushed, shaking, and asleep in the bed I should've never walked away from.
But I did. Because if I stayed, I might've said too much. Done too much. Or worse—fallen into the illusion that this was anything more than control.
So instead, I waited.
Watched the red dot blink across her bedroom window all night from my penthouse across the quad. Stupid girl forgot she lived in a tower of glass.
I watched her pace. Sit. Cry. Sleep. Wake.And now, she was mine again.
I parked the Aston Martin DB11 outside her apartment five minutes before she came down, coat swinging, scarf wrapped too tight, lips set in a line that told me she still hated herself for wanting me.
Good.
I loved her most when she didn't know what to do with herself.
She didn't say a word when she slipped into the passenger seat. I didn't offer one. I just pulled out of the drive, sunglasses on, tongue pressed against the back of my teeth like a gun cocked and loaded.
But instead of heading toward campus, I turned left—into the back lane of Imperial, past the sculpture garden and under the faculty wing. The parking there was empty. Forgotten.
Hidden.
"I thought we had class—" she started.
"We do." I cut the engine. "Later."
She turned to me slowly, eyebrow raised. "You kidnapped me in your overpriced car for what, exactly?"
I didn't answer. Just leaned over and tugged her scarf loose, fingers brushing the pulse at her throat. She flinched. I smiled.
"You think you regret last night?" I whispered. "You don't."
Her breath hitched, just slightly. Her fingers gripped the seat. I pushed further, leaning in until her perfume clouded my thoughts.
"You loved what I did to you. You begged for it."
"I was drunk on you," she hissed. "There's a difference."
I dragged my knuckles down her cheek. "Then get drunk again."
And I kissed her. Hard. Teeth. Tongue. Heat.
She punched my shoulder. Bit my lip. Moaned into my mouth.
She was fire.
And I wanted to burn.
Her leg came over the console, sliding onto my lap. I pulled her against me, one hand tangled in her hair, the other on her waist. She arched, gasping, lips swollen, breathless.
"You're toxic," she murmured.
"You're addicted."
We didn't speak again.
When we finally walked onto campus twenty minutes late, I didn't hide the way I wrapped my arm around her waist. Didn't care that her lipstick was smeared or that her shirt was wrinkled. Didn't care that Keira looked like she was ready to knife me or that Lucien and Arjun exchanged a knowing smirk.
Killian gave me a slow clap. Bastard.
"Really parading her like a trophy now?" Keira muttered.
"She is a trophy," I replied smoothly. "The winning kind."
Valentine glared at me. "I am not your girlfriend."
"Tell that to your lips."
She tried to elbow me. I caught her hand and kissed her knuckles.
She didn't pull away.
VALENTINE
After lunch, I needed air.
Solitude.
So I walked. Through the north corridor. Past the dead ends and under the stained-glass dome until I found it.
The old library.
Sealed off. Forgotten. But unlocked, thanks to a misplaced key I'd found months ago in Eden's drawer.
I pushed the door open, inhaling dust and memory. This place felt ancient. The windows were fogged with time. The books smelled of forgotten truths.
And then I found them.
The archives.
Tucked behind the Philosophy section.
Old photos. Birth certificates. Newspaper clippings. Yellowed records with names I hadn't heard in years—except in dreams and nightmares.
My uncle.
My aunt.
Me.
And someone else.
Someone I thought was dead.
My blood ran cold.
I heard something shift behind me.
I turned.
No one.
But the air changed. Like it was watching me. Like it knew.
I moved quickly, fingers shaking, stuffing a few papers into my coat.
And that's when everything went black.
AIDEN
She didn't come back to class.
Didn't text.
Didn't post.
Didn't exist.
So I searched.
I knew her patterns. Her detours. The way she needed to disappear when her mind got too loud.
I found her in the old library.
Unconscious. On the floor. Dusty, pale, holding papers that looked too much like classified history.
I lifted her gently. Her head lolled. Her pulse fluttered.
My heart stilled.
"Of course you'd faint here," I muttered, carrying her out.
At my apartment, I laid her on the leather couch, brushed her hair back, and watched her breathe.
She looked soft in sleep. Breakable.
Like glass before the shatter.
When she stirred, I crouched beside her.
Her lashes fluttered. "Aiden?"
"Welcome back," I whispered.
"What happened?"
"You fainted. In the library."
Her brow furrowed. "I—I was reading—"
"I know."
I held up the papers she'd clutched. Her eyes widened.
"I can tell you everything," I said softly. "All the secrets. The truth about your family. Why Eden took you. Why the fire happened."
She sat up slowly. "Why would you do that?"
I leaned closer. "Because knowledge has a price."
Her jaw clenched. "What kind of price?"
I smirked. "Sleep with me. Each time. I'll give you a piece of the puzzle."
She stared.
Then she stood.
And slapped me.
Or tried.
I caught her wrist midair. Twisted it gently behind her. Her back hit the wall.
Our mouths were inches apart.
"You're insane."
"And you're already mine."
She gasped as my hand slid down her ribs. My mouth found her neck.
She didn't push me away.
She trembled.
She let herself drown.
And I pulled her under.
Because monsters like me don't need to chase.
We lure.
.
"Where the hell are we going Aiden ?" I ask as he skits through the roads with a killing speed . After school started he said we need to go somewhere so I informed Marcus and Liam that Bella and I both have work and thus we won't be back home till evening .
"Slow down Aiden " I hiss but that doesn't make him slow down . We stop at a rusty house which was secluded from the rest of the city . Most probably it's on the outskirts of London .
"This is the place where we all are going to meet" he gets out of the car after parking it .
"So .. " I ask .
"Arabella will be here too " he says as he enters the code to the building .
There are huge rooms inside almost like a house with a kitchen that had red and white cabinet . Stove and all the cooking things . There was a living room with a television hanging off the wall . Sofas and Armchairs were there . There were three rooms most probably they were also aligned . Is this a hideout .
"A hideout?" I ask him as he walks over to Xander , Eli and Mike who were already there .
"Where's Arabella" Eli asks . I thought Arabella is with Eli here . The signs they give are so confusing.
"She must be on her way " I say as I enter the kitchen . The kitchen is stocked .
"Who knows to cook " I call out from the kitchen . All the guys appear at the table .
"None " Eli chuckles where Mike and Xander burst out laughing . What was there to laugh . Arseholes .
"Are you'll serious " I cover my face and rub it with my palms .
"Ask Be.. I mean Arabella to get something for us all " . Eli says and goes back to the living room followed by Mike and Xander leaving me and Aiden . A strange situation covers us .
"You can join them " I say as I keep on texting my sister .
"I prefer having you to me then them " he says as he leans against the kitchen counter .
"Why " I ask .
"What happened in the morning is enough for an answer " he smirks .
Little does he know that Bella and I planned on that I wanted the confirmation and I can go to any limits to get that . Even if it costs me my life . Virginity was just another thing that I just don't give a flying fuck about , but it honestly hurts like a bitch .
"What happened in the morning was a mistake nothing else " I chuckle ruefully and turns to the cabinets to get plates and glasses . A hand touches my waist making me jerk away immediately .
"What the fuck are you doing Aiden " I ask as he holds my waist in a bruising hold.
"Morning meant nothing ?" he whispers hot against my ears .
"Nothing" I turn in his holds and push my hands onto his chest to create ample distance which was impossible taking in our current situation.
"So you mean you just wanted the truth " he asks in quite an astonishing tone . It happens rarely that someone plays Aiden Callahan.
"I made an offer right " I smirk .
"You just wanted the truth" his tone is feral his eyes covered in blackness a raging storm . If someone else would ever have been here he or she would have ran miles to save their life . I look straight into his eyes .
"Happy realization Mr. Callahan " I clap his shoulder with a triumphant smile .
"Well played Miss. Danbury . Well played " he leaves me and walks in a cold zen towards the living room .
I place my palm flat onto the kitchen counter and breathe heavily . Just then my phone starts to ring .
"Hello" I speak without seeing who was calling me .
"It's me Bella . Don't tell anyone just meet me near Big Ben asap " she says .
"That's a long drive "
"Then make it "
"I don't have a car "
"Take anyone's car " she hisses .
"Okay okay " I hang up . Slowly I walk into the living room see all the boys are talking and they look up at once . I masked my expression from before .
"Can someone drop me home " I ask them .
"I'll do " Aiden stands up without missing a beat . He said in a warning tone .
"Sure lets go " I walk ahead of him and get out of the house . As soon as we are settled in his car he drives the car at a dangerous speed.
"Slow down " I warn .
No answer . He thinks silent treatment will work .
"I said slow down Aiden " I say in a raised voice .
No answer moreover he increases the speed . Before I can enter a strong hand stops me as it bangs against my hand holding the handle . A shiver runs down my spine . I turn with confidence and see his feral look which appears calm on the outside.
"What kind of game are you playing ?" he asks in a low menacing voice .
"The one which I'm going to win "
"You are mine , I'll bring down everything , even you , If it guarentees me that you are bind to me "
"I'm not your possession " I call out behind him as he gets to his car .
"You were always my possession even before we met " he says and gets into his car and goes away to god knows where .
A lady comes out and looks at me. Before she can approach me I wave her a bye and get into the car and drive away to meet Bella . As promised she was waiting for me in her car . She gets out of the car as soon as he sees me .
"What's the matter " I ask her . She looks our surrounding making sure no one is here .
"I overheard Marcus and Liam speaking that Eden is in town " she looks her surrounding again .
"So what " I ask .
"He knows about the murder " she says taking a sharp intake of breath.
"What the fuck " I ask all confused.
"I mean I think he knows that this is a murder " she says tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
"Why so " I ask crossing my arm over my chest .
"Because he knows something about the murderer " she says in a hush tone .
"Okay . So you mean my father knows who killed Isabella and he'll try to protect that bastard " I say almost losing my shit .
"Maybe " she says in an accusing tone .
"Are you crazy ? " I say as she continues.
"Okay . Let's not discuss it right now . I need you to see this " she shows me different maps . As though they are house plans .
"Whose houses are these " I ask as I go through them .
"Aiden and Eli" she says . My eyes are wide and mouth hanging down .
"Where did you get these from ?" I ask as I go through the maps .
"That's not important." she says and asks me to get into my car and we drive home .
"First me then you . I've got shopping bags to make it look like I went shopping and met you there here take these " she hands me over two bags that had some clothes for show and beneath them were maps and all . As we wait in the lobby for the elevator to arrive .
I get in first while Bella goes out again .
I turn and she gives me a smile . I enter the elevator and see the guards waiting for me .
"What took you'll this long ?" Liam shouts as I get out of the elevator, playing the game of the spoilt brat . I flip him off and enter the house they follow me into the living room and almost advance on me .
"Stay distant " I warn them . They stop immediately and I go into my room and place the bags into my wardrobe I change and before I can walk out . My phone flashes with a message.
Bella : Keep the guards busy we need to go out in the evening for searching.
I walk out in a flimsy top and shorts. The guards look at me for the first time I see hunger in Marcus's eyes . Liam's phone rings which he answers after walking out of the house .
"Mind your brain " I snap at him when he shamelessly check me out.
"C'mon let's have some fun " he advances at me . Before he can do anything Bella comes in and he stop in his path .
"What's going on ?" she asks as she comes beside me .
"Nothing he just wanted fun "I cross my arms over my chest .
"Ohh I see " she asks me get into the room with her . I send the arsehole a scowl and enter the room . She closes the door behind me and speaks as softly as possible and hands me a vial of sleeping potion .
"This is a strong dose . That's gonna keep them out for the whole night and some hours of the day" . I nod and hide the vial in my shorts pocket and we walk out . The arseholes are there already .
"Join us for dinner " Bella says in an authoritative tone .
"And later for bed " Marcus jokes . Something sounds different . He previously was restrained but today it feels like someone gave them some sort of openness to say these things . I shake inwardly and go to the kitchen . Bella prepares the shagetti and mashed potatoes and bread . She signals me to drop the potion into it . She walks out to talk to the arseholes while I mix the potion well into the spaghetti . She is already seated and helps me . I push their plates to them and they eat while I and Bella wait for sometime before having our food . Both of our eyes are constantly flitting between the food and the arses .
It was almost eleven in the the night when they fell asleep . Bella checked them twice and signals me that we are good to go .
According to the plan I was supposed to be at Aiden's house through the secrets alleys and corridors. While Eli's house will be investigated by Bella . We dress into fitting clothes that formed a second skin over us . I take the car and park it far away from the house . So that I can get into freely