Chapter 232
Devon's POV
The next day, I stood at my office window, watching Manhattan stretch out before me in the morning light. The city looked so small from up here, as manageable as the pieces on a chessboard. Behind me, I heard the soft click of heels against marble. Mandy Stevens had arrived.
I didn't turn around immediately. "The engagement announcement came from your side." I kept my voice deliberately cold. "I'm curious about how that decision was reached."
I could hear Mandy adjust her posture behind me, the soft rustle of fabric as she smoothed down her designer skirt.
"Your mother Eleanor and my parents felt the timing was right," she replied with a practiced smile. "After all, a Kane-Stevens merger benefits both families."
Finally, I turned to face her, studying her with clinical detachment. Her confidence wavered under my gaze. "And what about my opinion on the matter?"
"I know about you and Aria Harper," she said, eyes flickering with something shrewd. "I don't mind. This is just business, after all."
I felt a cold smile touch my lips. "The Stevens family raised quite the daughter. How... unexpected."
After Mandy left, I immediately turned to Marcus, who had been waiting silently in the corner. "Freeze all collaborative projects with Stevens Industries. Effective immediately."
"Sir, that could impact quarterly—" he began.
"Now, Marcus." My tone left no room for discussion. Nobody made decisions for me—especially not about my personal life. And nobody threatened what was mine.
---
Aria's POV
I woke alone, sunlight streaming across an empty bed. A sharp, throbbing pain shot through my shoulder as I tried to sit up, reminding me of the bullet wound from Miami that still hadn't fully healed. Devon was gone, no trace of him except the red marks circling my wrist and the lingering pain from when he'd aggravated my injury last night in his possessive frenzy.
Reaching for the prescription bottle on the nightstand was my first challenge of the day. The doctor had warned me to keep the arm immobilized as much as possible, but Devon hadn't exactly been gentle. I swallowed two pills dry, waiting for the edge to come off the pain.
In the bathroom, I stared at my reflection. The woman looking back seemed paler than usual, dark circles under her eyes. "In whatever this is with Devon, I seem to have no control," I whispered, adjusting the sling that held my right arm against my body. The navy fabric made my business attire look even more severe.
My phone buzzed with notifications—endless comments about Devon and Mandy's engagement announcement. As I scrolled through them one-handed, a new message appeared: "8 PM. I'll send a car. Wear something formal. -D"
I leaned against the shower wall, letting the hot water pound against my left side while keeping the injured shoulder dry. Thoughts swirled with the steam. "He's engaged to someone else, and what am I doing? Continuing to be his mistress? Where does this end?"
The offices of Stellar Impressions buzzed with the usual morning energy when Jeremy knocked on my door, carrying a latte and meeting reports. His eyes widened at the sight of my sling.
"Morning, Aria. I didn't realize you were—should you even be here today?" His concern was immediate, brow furrowing as he set down the coffee and reports.
I reached for the coffee with my left hand, awkwardly spilling some as I wasn't used to being left-handed. The hot liquid splashed against my fingers. I bit back a curse, the small pain barely registering compared to my shoulder.
"I'm fine," I said, more sharply than intended. "The doctors cleared me for desk work. Let's discuss the Westfield account progress."
My phone vibrated on the desk. Devon: "Awake yet? You wore me out last night."
The brief message carried an intimacy that made my pulse quicken, despite my better judgment. Did he even remember aggravating my injury?
"You seem distracted," Jeremy leaned against my desk, his posture casual but eyes watchful. "And honestly, in pain. Is everything alright for the meeting later? I could handle it if you need to rest."
My head snapped up, causing a twinge in my shoulder that I fought not to show. "Are you questioning my ability to do my job?"
"Not at all," Jeremy replied, unfazed by my sharp tone. "Just concerned as your assistant. How about I take you out this afternoon for some fresh air? Mostly to talk project details—don't refuse me. You look like you could use a break from that chair, and I promise to drive carefully."
By late afternoon, the financial reports had blurred before my eyes. The pain medication had worn off, and every small movement sent waves of discomfort through my shoulder. The engagement announcement had dominated industry news all day, each headline a fresh reminder of my complicated situation with Devon.
Jeremy hovered protectively as we headed toward the parking lot. "We can discuss the new project in the car. I was thinking about incorporating those blockchain elements you mentioned." He reached to open the door for me, careful not to touch my injured side.
Before I could respond, a sleek black Bentley glided silently into the parking area. Devon emerged, tall and imposing in a gray suit that caught the fading sunlight. His eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of my sling, but he completely ignored Jeremy's presence, moving directly to me. His hand found the small of my back with practiced familiarity.
"I'm taking you somewhere," he said, not a request but a statement of fact.
Jeremy stood awkwardly to the side, clearly unsure how to proceed. "Aria, we were going to discuss—"
"She'll call you tomorrow." Devon's tone brooked no argument as he guided me toward the waiting car.
"Devon, I had plans," I protested quietly, even as I allowed myself to be led away, acutely aware of Jeremy watching us. Each step sent small jolts of pain through my shoulder.
Devon's grip tightened slightly at my waist, careful to avoid my injured side. "Plans change."
As the car door closed behind us, I turned to face Devon fully, wincing slightly at the movement. "I saw the news today. Congratulations on your engagement to Mandy Stevens."
Devon let out a soft laugh, his eyes never leaving mine. "You're jealous of someone who doesn't matter. Haven't you noticed? You're the only one who's constantly by my side."
I blinked in surprise at his directness.
"We're the same, you and I," he continued, his voice lower. "Both trapped in family complications that we didn't choose."
I studied his face, considering his words. The sudden engagement announcement to Mandy truly didn't seem like Devon's style. He always calculated his moves carefully, controlled every aspect of his life. This hasty public announcement felt orchestrated by someone else.
My mind drifted back to when I'd met his mother, Eleanor Kane. The way she'd looked at Devon—not as a son, but as an asset to be leveraged. She was always pushing him toward suitable matches from other powerful families, yet I'd rarely heard her express genuine concern for his well-being or happiness.
"Your mother arranged it," I said, the realization dawning on me. It wasn't a question.
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes as they moved from my face to my sling. "Is that what this is about? You've been avoiding me." His hand reached up, fingers ghosting over the edge of my sling. "How bad is it?"
"I'm not avoiding you," I lied, heart pounding. "I just had work scheduled with Jeremy. And it's fine—just aggravated from last night."
Devon's hand moved to my knee, a possessive gesture that sent warmth spiraling through me despite my determination to remain detached. "Jeremy Pierce can wait. You're mine tonight." His other hand carefully adjusted my sling, the gentleness at odds with his commanding tone.
I looked away, out the tinted windows at the passing city lights, trying to ignore how easily Devon claimed my time, my attention—my body. How easily I let him, even when I was in pain. The red marks on my wrist seemed to burn, a reminder of my weakness for this man who supposedly belonged to someone else.
"Where are we going?" I finally asked, voice steadier than I felt.
"An auction. There's something I want you to see." His eyes lingered on my injured shoulder. "You'll be comfortable. I've arranged everything."