Victor's Desperation

Aria's POV

The wind blowing through the vines was not as loud as my thoughts, even though the sky had become darker. The sudden appearance of Liam had sent me into a downward spiral from which I was unable to escape. And Cole, like a phantom pursuing peril, had disappeared into the grapevine. Once more, I found myself alone, but not in a pleasant sense. No, this was a quiet that forewarned of a storm to come.

After Liam vanished without saying another word, I remained motionless in the vineyard for a while. There had been something in his tone, even though he hadn't outright threatened me. Something angular and incomplete. As if he knew that I did not.

I had to locate Cole.

I went back toward the car, but as I turned, I noticed spotlights coming from the opposite end of the vineyard trail. I felt my gut tighten. Cole might have done it. Perhaps he was returning.

However, it wasn't.

Dust swirled in the headlight beams as a black luxury automobile rolled to a slow, deliberate stop next to the wooden gate. When I recognized the car, my heart fell. The smoothness. The haughtiness with which it parked, as if it owned the space underneath it.

With a mechanical groan, the door opened, and **Victor Montgomery** emerged.

Cole's dad.

My throat tightened with each breath. His face was harsh and unreadable, his silver hair was groomed flawlessly, and he was dressed immaculately in a dark suit, just as he always was. Chilly. Making calculations. Risky.

As if this were just another boardroom he was going to take over, he moved the cuffs on his jacket as if he wasn't standing in the middle of a vineyard at night.

With a voice as smooth as oil yet full of danger, he said, "Aria." "We must speak."

My throat seemed suddenly dry as I swallowed. "Where is Cole?"

He took a while to respond. Rather, he approached me and stopped a few steps away from me. Even though my entire being begged me to flee, I stood my ground.

He stated calmly, "I didn't come here to fight." "I arrived to make things better before they got worse."

My heart was racing. "Don't bother if you come to threaten me. You don't frighten me.

Victor tilted his lips in a contemptuous smirk. "You ought to be."

Despite not touching me, the weight of his presence felt like a hand wrapping around my throat as he moved forward.

Aria, you've caused enough harm. Before my son destroys everything he has worked for over a girl who doesn't fit in his world, it's time for you to leave.

Even though his words were harsh, I didn't recoil. "You have no say in who Cole loves."

Victor's expression grew stern. "Love is not at issue here. This has to do with legacy. Strength. There are no controversies associated with the Montgomery name. Not over some heartbreaking relationship between a broke girl and a billionaire.

I felt like screaming at him, to force all of the harsh words back into his throat. The universe tilted, though, when he uttered anything.

"I'll reveal everything about his background to the public if he doesn't let you go. I will ensure that the media is aware of the events that transpired in Geneva. On the Montgomery Foundation controversy. Regarding the Dawson family arrangement, he ended it after becoming overly attached to you.

I blinked. "What—Geneva?"

He grinned like a man who was skilled at shattering things. Cole might have revealed some facts to you. However, he has omitted the most repulsive details. Things that might destroy him. Put an end to his career. Destroy his business.

It seemed as though the vineyard was spinning. I had trouble breathing, thinking, and comprehending his words.

"To keep us apart, you would ruin the life of your son?" I muttered.

The Montgomery legacy is something I will stop at nothing to preserve. Cole is acting carelessly. And careless men lose everything. His voice trailed off to a lethal whisper as he hesitated. However, Aria, you can prevent that from occurring. I'll make sure that none of this ever makes it to the media if you leave. Cole maintains his cleanliness. He will always have a beautiful name. How about you? You get to go with what little dignity you still possess.

I was trembling with anger, not fear.

With a shaky voice, I said, "You act like I'm the poison." However, it's you who is threatening your son's future. You're not keeping him safe. You're in charge of him.

Victor's mouth tightened. "Consider what you desire. However, I advise you to make the wise decision before you cause Cole to lose everything.

As if the talk was over, he turned and walked back to his car. As if he had already triumphed.

A thousand ideas were cutting through me like knives as I stood there immobile.

**Geneva. The Foundation. The Dawson transaction.

What did Cole not tell me?

What if Victor wasn't bluffing? It could be worse.

Victor left a trail of dust and a threat that now weighed heavily on my chest as his car's engine roared to life and he drove out into the night.

I refrained from crying. I was unable to.

Rather, with my legs weary and my head spinning, I made my way back toward the vineyard. I had no idea how long it had taken for Cole to come back. His shirt was crumpled, his hair disheveled, and his eyes, his tormented, lovely eyes, met mine the moment he spotted me.

He hurried over to me and grabbed my arms, saying, "Aria." "Are you alright? I was only able to locate Liam's automobile.

"Cole," I interrupted him. I spoke softly but tremblingly. "We must speak."

He was perplexed and worried. "What took place? You appear pallid.

I looked into his eyes, trying to find out what was going on. "What took place in Geneva?"

His expression transformed in an instant. Like a mask slipping off. His face lost all of its warmth and became motionless. He took a small step back.

With care, he said, "Why are you asking me that?"

I said, "Your father was here." He threatened to reveal information to the public if you didn't leave me. "Geneva," he said. The Foundation. Kaitlyn's relatives

Cole appeared to have been slapped by me.

His comments were overshadowed by his silence.

"Is that accurate?" I muttered. "Has anything occurred that might have destroyed you?"

He averted his gaze, his jaw clenched. "That's not what you believe."

I insisted, "Then tell me what it is." "Because everyone else seems to know the rules of this game, and I'm standing in the dark right now."

Cole's gaze returned to mine. However, the man who gave me a silver bracelet beneath a blazing oak tree was not visible to me this time. I witnessed the man bending the facts to fit his burdensome secrets.

The distance between us seemed to be miles wide in an instant.

He started to say something, but my phone rang before he could finish.

My blood ran cold when I saw the name flash across the screen.

Dawson, Kaitlyn.

I turned to face Cole.

His face turned white.

And I was aware of...

The past wasn't simply ringing.

The fucking door was being kicked down.