~Aaron~
I tightened my schedule so much that there wasn’t a moment of rest. Even during meals, I barely ate anything. Stress had killed my appetite.
At home, I buried myself in my study, avoiding the bedroom. I couldn’t bring myself to go in there-not when Joan’s presence still lingered in every corner.
Her father had a hand in my parents’ deaths. How the hell was I supposed to accept that?
I’d asked Denzel to dig deeper, but until he brought me answers, my mind was a mess.
A knock on my office door came too soon, and before I could respond, it opened.
My jaw clenched, irritation already prickling under my skin. I looked up from the file I’d been staring at for hours without actually reading.
Adrian Voss stepped in, his expression calm and unreadable, hands tucked into his pockets. He didn’t wait for an invitation. Instead, he slid into the chair across from my desk, crossing his legs casually.
“What are you doing here?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed by my tone.
His silence grated on my nerves.
“I asked a question, Voss. If you’re not ready to tell me why you’re here. You can use the door,” I stated flatly before returning my attention to the file, just flipping through the pages.
“Should I be surprised that you’re unusually cranky this morning?” he muttered, before dropping his legs and placing his hand on my desk.
“I’m here for a meeting with investors and thought I’d drop by. I’ve got news about the daggerlord you wanted me to investigate,” he said, leaning back in his seat.
I straightened. “And?” My eyes narrowed, already bracing myself.
He hesitated for a moment before answering.
“The daggerlord is part of a crime syndicate. His name is Matthew Lockwood. He grew up in Boswell Childcare in New Orleans. He’s an orphan. When he got out, he got involved in illegal activities and eventually joined the syndicate.”
I gritted my teeth. I knew something was wrong with Matthew the moment I met him.
Adrian continued, “The syndicate’s got a personal vendetta against Ace Knight. He used to be one of them but pulled out abruptly and ruined their operations. He’s been in hiding ever since he got out of prison, but they’re after him. Once they find him, it’s game over for him.”
Ace Knight. Just hearing his name churned my insides. Fucking son of a bitch!
“Find him,” I ordered, my voice cold and clipped.
Adrian raised an eyebrow at me. “What’s going on?”
I ignored him and grabbed my phone, scrolling through my contact list. When I found the number I wanted, I dialed it.
“Get me Matthew Lockwood. McCormick Fries,” I said curtly before hanging up.
When my intercom buzzed, I hesitated before answering.
“Sir, a woman is here to see you,” my secretary said. Before I could respond, she added, “She says her name is Joan.”
Every muscle in my body went rigid. My hand moved to my face, rubbing at the tension that seemed permanently etched there.
“I’m busy,” I said quickly. I needed time to think, to sort through the storm of emotions raging inside of me.
There was noise in the background before my secretary’s voice returned.
“Ma’am, wait-” The call disconnected, and my gaze flicked to Adrian, who was watching me closely.
“What?” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
“You tell me. What’s going on with you?” His tone was light, but there was curiosity behind it.
I let out a heavy sigh. How the hell was I supposed to explain? That I’d been sleeping with my sister’s best friend, who just happened to be the daughter of the man responsible for my parents’ deaths? That I actually cared about her more than I should?
The door swung open, interrupting my thoughts. Joan walked in, fire in her eyes.
“You’re busy, really?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.
I stood, the tension in the room suddenly thickening. Adrian glanced between us, a flicker of amusement in his eyes before he rose to his feet.
“Have a great day, Mr. Thompson,” Adrian said, his words dripping with sarcasm as he left the room.
Joan scoffed, turning her full attention back to me. “You’ve been ignoring my calls and leaving my messages on read. I was worried,” she said.
Her voice softened for a moment, but then her eyes hardened again. “But I guess you couldn’t even be bothered.”
My jaw tightened as I looked away. Her green eyes searched mine, and I felt that familiar tug in my heart. But I shoved it down.
Her hair was tied into a ponytail and she was wearing a sundress. One that I’d like to rip with my teeth.
“Leave. I’m busy,” I muttered, my voice low.
She blinked, caught off guard by my tone. “Wow,” she said, her voice dripping with disbelief. “Did I do something wrong?”
I bit the inside of my cheek, refusing to answer. She didn’t deserve this, but what choice did I have?
“Sorry, for making you fuck me at the playground. It was something we both enjoyed, I never knew you’d take it this serious,” she said and I resisted the urge to huff.
It was funny that she thought that might be the reason. I’d never even given it a second thought.
“That’s not it,” I said as a muscle ticked in my jaw. I returned my eyes to her, her soft green eyes met mine -searching.
I had to do this anyway. It would hurt but it was for our benefit.
“Let’s stop seeing each other,” I said abruptly. My tone was cold, but inside I was shattering.
“What?” Her voice was barely a whisper, and the shock in her eyes nearly made my resolve crumble.
“That was the deal,” I forced out, keeping my tone steady. “We get each other out of our systems and move on. I’ve moved on.”
Joan took a shaky step back, her hands trembling. “That’s it?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“Yeah,” I said flatly. I had to push her away. It was the only way.
I just… I wouldn’t be at peace knowing she’s the daughter of the man who took my family away from me.
It wasn’t her fault but I… It was hard.
She closed her eyes, laughing quietly to herself before taking a step back.
By the time she opened them, a tear slid out.
“So this is what heartbreak feels like,” she chuckled, not bothering to wipe her tears. I wanted to do that for her so badly but I couldn’t.
“And here I am, happy. Wanting to share some good news with you,” she sniffed.
“I got my first white collar job and I started today and my book is going to be a sequel because my editor likes it and think it’s going to sell,” her voice broke.
I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt.
“Just.. tell me why, we’re breaking up atleast,” she said and I chuckled dryly.
“Breaking up? We were never an item, kitten. It was just a deal, remember?” I said and she nodded.
“Yeah. A deal,” she dabbed at her tears with the back of her hand. “But why did you do all those things? Why did you crash my date? Why did you take me to Paris? Why did you fucking care for me if it was all a deal!”
Because it wasn’t. I wanted to tell her it was no longer a deal to me.
“Why did you make me fall for you? Why did you make me love you, you fucking monster!” she covered her face with her hands, her body trembling.
“I never asked you to love me. I was just for the sex because it was one thing you were good at,” I scoffed, pushing my hair back with my fingers.
“We’re over. Get out,” I said after a while, my voice low and quiet. The air thickened with tension, with only the sound of her sobs filling the air.
“You have five seconds to leave or I’d call the security,” I added, trying to ignore the jittery feeling in my chest. The feeling of losing something precious, something important.
She dropped her hands, staring at me.
“I should have known you were just going to use me.” she pulled her bottom lip in between her teeth to stop them from quivering.
Her face crumpled, and for a moment, I thought she might collapse. But then she straightened, wiping her tears with shaky hands. “I hope you’re happy, Aaron. I hope breaking me was worth it.”
She turned and walked out, slamming the door behind her.
I sank into my chair and buried my face in my hands. I’d destroyed everything.
But it had to be done. It was for the best.