Chapter 110 Chapter 110
Angelina’s POV
"Use it for your races. All of them."
Leo's mouth fell open. "Seriously?"
"Yes."
"But this is—I mean—I can't just—"
"The car's just sitting there," I said. "Might as well get used."
Leo looked down at the keys in his hand. Back up at me. "Aria, this is a million-dollar car."
"I know what it costs."
"And you're just letting me drive it? For races?"
"That's what I said."
Leo started to say something. Stopped. His brain was clearly trying to process this.
Then his expression changed. "Wait. Isn't this Graham's car?"
I felt my body go still. Shit.
"What?"
"The Veneno. You said it was Graham's. That he let you borrow it."
Right. I'd told him that weeks ago. When I'd first shown up with the car and needed a cover story.
"That's what I said," I confirmed carefully.
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly. "So if you're giving me the keys, that means Graham's okay with it?"
"Yes."
"He just let you give away his million-dollar car? To me?"
"It's fine."
"Aria." Leo took a step closer. His voice got quieter. "Are you two together?"
My heart kicked up. Just slightly. "No."
"Are you sure? Because this seems like something a boyfriend would do. Let his girlfriend's brother use his expensive car."
"We're not together."
"Then why would he—"
"Leo." I cut him off. My voice was flat. Final. "We're not together. That's all you need to know."
I turned and started walking up the stairs.
"Aria, wait—"
"Use the car. Don't crash it."
I kept walking. Didn't look back.
Behind me, I heard Leo mutter something under his breath. Couldn't quite make out the words.
Leo's POV
I stood in the garage, staring at the Veneno keys in my hand.
The engine was still running. I'd taken it for a quick drive around the block. Just to feel it again.
But my mind wasn't on the car.
It was on Aria's reaction.
The way she'd shut down when I asked about Graham. The way she'd cut me off and walked away.
That wasn't normal Aria behavior. She usually just answered questions with one or two words and moved on.
But this time? She'd gotten defensive.
Which meant I was right.
I pulled out my phone. Opened my text thread with Ethan.
Me: Bro. I think Aria and that Graham guy are dating.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Ethan: What? Why do you think that?
Me: She just gave me the keys to that Lamborghini. Said I could use it for all my races.
Ethan: So?
Me: It's HIS car. She told me weeks ago it was his.
Ethan: Maybe he's just being nice.
Me: Nobody is THAT nice. This is a million-dollar car.
The dots appeared again. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Ethan: Did you ask her?
Me: Yeah. She denied it. But she got weird about it. Defensive. Then just walked away.
Ethan: That does sound suspicious.
Me: Right?? I think they're together but keeping it secret or something.
Ethan: Why would they keep it secret?
I thought about that. Graham had been staying at our house for weeks now. Ever since Alpha Marcus introduced him to Dad. Said he was some Alpha's son who needed a place to lay low for a while.
We'd all just accepted it. Graham dressed well, acted like he had money, drove expensive cars. Having a Lamborghini wasn't that surprising for someone from an Alpha family.
But now I was thinking about it differently.
Me: Actually, now that I think about it... why is Graham even still staying with us?
Ethan: What do you mean?
Me: Alpha Marcus introduced him weeks ago. Said he needed to stay here temporarily. But it's been a while now. Why hasn't he left?
The dots appeared. Then disappeared.
Me: What if he's staying because of Aria?
Ethan: You think he LIKES her?
Me: Why else would he stay in an Omega household this long? He's supposed to be some Alpha's son. He could go anywhere.
Ethan: Holy shit. I never thought about it like that.
Ethan: I just figured he was hiding from enemies or something. Laying low in an Omega house because nobody would look for him here.
Me: That's what we all thought. But what if it's actually because he wants to be close to Aria?
Ethan: That would make sense. He's been here for weeks and he's not acting like someone who's hiding. He goes out, drives his cars around, doesn't seem worried at all.
Me: Exactly! And now he's letting me use his million-dollar car. That's not something you do unless you're trying to make a good impression on your girlfriend's family.
Ethan: So what are you gonna do?
Me: Help him.
Ethan: Help him what?
Me: Help him win her over. If she's being stubborn about admitting they're together, maybe she just needs a little push.
Ethan: Leo. Don't meddle.
Me: I'm not meddling. I'm facilitating.
Ethan: That's the same thing.
Me: No it's not. Meddling is interfering. Facilitating is helping things along that were gonna happen anyway.
Ethan: You're gonna make things worse.
Me: Or I'm gonna make things better.
Angelina’s POV
Monday morning, I walked into homeroom. The classroom was half-full. Students sitting around in groups. Talking. Eating. Looking at phones.
Thanksgiving break was over. Nobody looked happy about it.
Logan was standing next to Silas's desk. His voice carried across the room.
"Dude, my dad literally froze ALL my cards!"
Silas looked up from his phone. "Seriously? All of them?"
"Every single one!" Logan threw his hands up. "I had to ask my mom for gas money. GAS MONEY!"
A few people glanced over. Then went back to their conversations.
I walked to my seat. Dropped my bag on the floor. Sat down.
Mia was at her desk. Hunched over a notebook. Writing fast.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"English homework." She didn't look up. "I forgot about it over break."
"When's it due?"
"Third period."
I pulled out my phone. Checked the time. 8:17 AM.
The door opened. Mrs. Marwood walked in. Coffee cup in one hand. Folder in the other.
"Alright people, settle down."
Her voice wasn't loud. Just routine. She said the same thing every morning.
The noise level dropped slightly. But Logan was still talking to Silas.
Mrs. Marwood set her coffee on the desk. Opened the folder. Started reading from a paper.
"Okay, I have a few announcements from the office."
She adjusted her glasses. "Math quiz this Friday. Don't forget."
Groans from around the room.
"Winter Formal tickets are on sale in the cafeteria. Twenty dollars each."
Some girls started whispering excitedly.
"Basketball team has a home game Wednesday. Everyone should go support them."
Mrs. Marwood looked up. "And don't forget, final exams are in three weeks. Start studying now, not the night before."
She glanced around the room. "Anyone not here today?"
Silence.
"Good." She set the paper down. Started taking attendance on her computer.
Logan leaned closer to Silas. His voice was quieter but I could still hear.
"Bro, I can't even afford Winter Formal tickets now."
"Just ask your mom for money," Silas whispered back.
"She's on my dad's side!"
Mrs. Marwood's head came up. "Mr. Pierce, you want to share with the class?"
Logan straightened. "No ma'am. Sorry."
"Then please be quiet."
"Yes ma'am."
Mrs. Marwood went back to her computer. The clicking of keys filled the silence.
The bell rang. Everyone started packing up.
I grabbed my bag. Headed toward the door.
"Aria! Wait up!"
Logan jogged over. Silas and Mia followed.
"Hey, so my dad wanted me to tell you something."
I stopped walking. "What?"
"He's having this dinner thing this Saturday. Like a business celebration or whatever." Logan ran his hand through his hair. "He specifically told me to invite you."