Chapter 213
Aria's POV
My heartbeat accelerated as I rushed back to our suite, desperate to find Devon before it was too late. The effect of the seasickness medication was working, but my mind was anything but calm. The conversation I'd overheard between Connor and Buzz kept replaying in my head—they were planning to drug Devon's wine at tonight's dinner, compromising his judgment when signing documents for the quantum chip technology.
The elegant corridors of the Diamond Sky seemed endless as I hurried through them. Finally reaching our suite, I flung open the door, only to discover Devon was gone. My chest tightened with dread.
"Damn it," I muttered, pulling out my phone and dialing his number. No answer. I tried again, my fingers trembling slightly. Still nothing. A knot of fear formed in my stomach.
Roman, Devon's security guard, stood at attention by the door. "Roman, where's Devon?" I demanded, my voice sharper than intended, betraying my growing concern.
"Mr. Kane went to the conference room to meet with Mr. Hamilton for business discussions," he replied flatly.
I dialed Devon's number a third time, pressing the phone hard against my ear. The call went straight to voicemail. My anxiety spiked. "Take me to him. Now."
Roman's expression hardened. "Mr. Kane specifically instructed that you remain in the suite."
I stepped closer to him, desperation fueling my boldness. "If you don't take me to him right now, I'll tell Devon you made inappropriate advances toward me while he was gone." I fixed him with my most determined stare, allowing my voice to drop dangerously low. "Trust me, he'll have you fired within five minutes."
Roman's face paled. After a moment of internal struggle, his eyes darting away from mine, he nodded reluctantly.
We navigated through the yacht's labyrinthine passageways, descending two decks before reaching a heavily guarded area. Three men in black suits blocked our path to what I assumed was the conference room. My heart pounded harder with each step.
"The lady needs to see Mr. Kane urgently," Roman explained, his voice betraying his discomfort.
The guards exchanged glances, and one reached for his communication device. Panic flared in my chest. If they alerted Buzz or Connor, everything could fall apart.
I pulled out my phone, pretending to answer a call, summoning all my acting skills. "Yes, Devon... I'm right outside... these men won't let me in..." I paused, maintaining steady eye contact with the lead guard, injecting confidence into my voice. "Understood."
I lowered my phone and addressed the guard with all the Upper East Side entitlement I could muster. "Mr. Kane wants me inside. Now." I straightened my spine, channeling the same authority I'd seen Devon use countless times.
The authority in my voice seemed to work. After a moment of hesitation, the guard stepped aside, allowing us to pass. I felt a small surge of triumph, quickly overshadowed by urgency.
The conference room door was heavy mahogany. I pushed it open, heart pounding, to find Devon sitting alone at the far end of a long table, scrolling through his phone. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing when he saw me. The subtle tightening around his mouth revealed his displeasure.
"I told you to stay in the suite," he said coldly, but I caught the flicker of concern beneath his harsh tone.
I rushed toward him, words already forming on my lips. Devon pulled me onto his lap—a possessive move disguised as affection—and whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin, "Don't be defiant here." Despite his admonishing words, his hand settled protectively at my waist.
"Listen to me," I said urgently, leaning close enough to feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my side. "Connor and Buzz are plotting against you. They plan to drug your wine tonight to compromise you when signing documents. They want to steal your quantum chip technology and take control of—"
The door swung open, cutting me off mid-sentence. Buzz Hamilton entered with a practiced smile, followed by a server carrying a tray with three crystal champagne flutes. The room's atmosphere instantly shifted, charged with unspoken tension.
"What a touching scene," Buzz remarked, his eyes calculating beneath his friendly expression. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
My stomach clenched as I recognized the exact scenario I'd overheard. Devon's hand tightened slightly around my waist, a silent signal that he understood the gravity of the moment. I felt his muscles tense beneath his perfectly tailored suit.
"Not at all," I smiled, standing up smoothly, feeling Devon's reluctance to release me. "Let me pour for everyone." I took the tray from the server, noting how Buzz's eyes flickered with momentary alarm, his smile faltering for just an instant.
I examined the three glasses carefully, noting one had a tiny blue mark etched into its base. I memorized its position as I poured the champagne, exchanging a meaningful glance with Devon. His eyes met mine, a silent communication passing between us—trust and understanding that hadn't existed before.
After filling each glass, I handed the marked one to Buzz, my smile unwavering. "Mr. Hamilton, as our host, you should have the first toast." I kept my voice light, masking the deliberate challenge.
Buzz accepted the glass but hesitated, his fingers tightening around the stem. Devon's gaze sharpened, focusing on Buzz with predatory intensity. "Something wrong with the champagne you've provided?" The soft danger in his voice made even me shiver.
Beads of sweat formed on Buzz's forehead. He raised the glass briefly before "accidentally" tipping it, spilling its contents onto the floor. "How clumsy of me. I'll have the server bring fresh drinks." His voice strained with forced casualness as he quickly left the room.
As soon as Buzz left, I turned to Devon, our faces close. "They're planning to drug you. I overheard Connor and Buzz talking. They want to steal your quantum chip patents and Connor plans to gain control of the board." My words tumbled out in an urgent whisper, my hand unconsciously reaching for his arm.
Devon's expression remained impassive, but his eyes gleamed with cold intelligence. When he spoke, his voice was steady. "I suspected as much. This meeting was always a trap—I'm fishing for evidence."
I stared at him, incredulous, concern washing over me. "You knew it was dangerous and came anyway?" The thought of him deliberately walking into danger made my heart constrict painfully.
The corner of his mouth quirked up slightly, and his eyes softened almost imperceptibly. "I'm curious—would you mourn becoming a widow if I died?" Though his tone was teasing, I caught a genuine question in his eyes.
"Don't joke about that!" I snapped, heat rising to my cheeks, genuine emotion breaking through my composed exterior. "They're after your quantum chip technology and company control!"
Devon's fingers gently traced my jawline, the unexpected tenderness in his touch making me catch my breath. "You know, you're the first person who's ever risked themselves to warn me of danger." The vulnerability in his admission hung between us, creating a moment of connection that felt shockingly intimate.
Our conversation was abruptly interrupted when Roman burst through the door, his normally composed demeanor shattered. "Mr. Kane, we have a situation. Surveillance shows at least eight armed individuals making their way up to this level."