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Aria froze at the sound of the knock. Every muscle in her body tensed, her senses on high alert. Giovanni's presence, even in the form of a mere knock, was enough to send a chill down her spine. He was no longer a man of power; he was a monster, lurking in the shadows, waiting for his next opportunity to strike.
Raiden stood immediately, his hand moving to the small arsenal of weapons hidden around the room. His movements were swift and silent, a warrior ready for battle. Aria didn't speak, but the look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. She wasn't afraid, but she was prepared for whatever came next.
Another knock sounded, this one more insistent. Aria swallowed hard, steeling herself for the confrontation she knew was inevitable. The game was on, and Giovanni wasn't about to back down.
"He's not going to give up, is he?" Aria murmured, her voice steady but laced with tension. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table in front of her as if the surface could somehow steady her racing heart.
Raiden's gaze was hard as steel, his eyes never leaving the door. "No. Giovanni doesn't know how to lose. And he won't stop until he has you back under his control."
Aria nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his words settle in her chest. She had hoped, at one point, that her escape would be permanent. But Giovanni was relentless. And now, she had to make a decision that would change everything.
The knock came again, louder this time, followed by a voice that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Aria," Giovanni called, his voice low and menacing. "I know you're in there. You can't hide forever."
Aria's eyes flicked to Raiden, and without a word, he moved toward the door, positioning himself in front of it, ready for whatever came next. Aria's breath hitched in her throat as she moved closer to him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. Her fingers brushed his skin, and for a fleeting moment, she felt a surge of something she couldn't name. It was fleeting, but it was there—a connection, fragile yet undeniable.
Raiden didn't react to her touch, his eyes fixed on the door, his mind calculating the next move. But Aria could feel the heat of his presence, his unwavering support, and for the first time, she felt like she wasn't alone in this battle.
"Aria," Giovanni's voice came again, this time more insistent, more dangerous. "Come out now. We can end this quietly. No more bloodshed. Just come back to me."
Aria took a deep breath, the familiar pull of Giovanni's manipulation pressing against her resolve. He had always known how to play her, how to make her question her own worth. But not this time. She wasn't the same person she had been when she first walked into his world.
"I'm not coming back, Giovanni," Aria said firmly, her voice stronger than it had ever been. "I'm done being your pawn. And I'll never go back to your empire."
Giovanni laughed, a dark, hollow sound that seemed to echo through the door. "You think you have a choice in this, Aria? You're mine. You always will be. And I'll make sure of it."
Raiden's eyes narrowed, his hand tightening around the doorknob as he prepared to confront Giovanni head-on. But before he could act, a loud crash interrupted the tension, followed by the sound of footsteps retreating down the hallway.
Aria's heart skipped a beat. Giovanni had already made his move, and now she had to act quickly. She wasn't going to wait for him to come to her again. She wasn't going to let him control her life any longer.
"Raiden," Aria said, her voice urgent. "We have to go. Now."
Without hesitation, Raiden nodded and moved to the side, his hand gesturing for Aria to follow. They didn't need to exchange words. They both knew that time was running out. Giovanni was closing in on them, and the longer they stayed in one place, the more vulnerable they became.
They hurried out of the room, Raiden taking the lead as they made their way down the narrow hallway. Aria's pulse raced as she followed him, her mind spinning with a million thoughts, but only one clear goal: escape.
As they reached the stairs, the sound of footsteps grew louder, and Aria's heart sank. They were being pursued. Giovanni's men had found them.
Raiden stopped, pulling her behind him and pressing her against the wall, his body shielding hers from the view of anyone coming down the hallway. His breath was steady, his movements precise, like a man who had been in far too many close calls to be rattled now.
"We need to get to the back exit," Raiden whispered, his eyes scanning the hallway, the danger of their situation clear in his expression. "It's our only chance."
Aria nodded, her mind now focused solely on survival. Giovanni had come for her, and she couldn't afford to let him win. Not now, not after everything she had fought for.
With quick, fluid steps, they made their way to the back of the building, their footsteps silent as they moved through the shadows. But as they neared the exit, a figure stepped into their path, blocking their way.
It was Giovanni.
His presence filled the room, his towering figure casting a long, menacing shadow as he smiled coldly at them. "Did you really think you could escape me, Aria?"
Raiden's body stiffened, his muscles coiling as he prepared for the inevitable fight. But Aria, standing beside him, felt something else stirring inside her. She wasn't afraid anymore. Giovanni's games were over.
"No, Giovanni," Aria said, her voice strong and unwavering. "I didn't think I could escape you. I know I can."
With a swift motion, she moved to the side, positioning herself between Giovanni and Raiden. She wasn't going to let him take either of them down. Not today.
"Raiden," Aria whispered, her gaze never leaving Giovanni's, "I'm done running."
Giovanni's smile faltered, his eyes flicking between them with an unreadable expression. "You think you're ready to face me? You're nothing."
"No," Aria said firmly, her voice unwavering. "I'm everything."
And with that, the fight began.
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To be continued...
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