"You wanted to see me?"
No.
I knew that voice.
I turned around slowly.
Kai stood in the doorway.
Our eyes met.
Recognition hit him like a physical blow.
"Ah, Kai. Perfect timing. This is Aria Romano. Your future stepmother."
Kai's eyes were locked on mine. Shock melted into something darker.
"My what?"
"Your stepmother. I'm marrying her in three months. Show her to the east wing."
"Of course."
His voice was controlled. But his eyes burned.
Vincent gave me a warning look. Salvatore dismissed me with a glance.
And Kai stared at me like I'd just destroyed everything.
"This way."
I followed, my heart hammering.
He walked fast.Rigid. Tense.
We turned into an empty hallway.
He stopped suddenly.
Spun to face me.
"Did you know?" My voice was desperate. "That night. Did you know who I was?"
Kai looked at me. Cold. Distant. Nothing like the club.
"I didn't. I've been in Chicago for three weeks. Got back this morning. Found out he's getting married. To you."
Relief flooded through me.
"Even if I had known—" His voice dropped. "—it wouldn't have changed a thing."
"What?"
He stepped closer. "I said even if I'd known exactly who you were, that you were promised to my father, that touching you could get us both killed—it wouldn't have changed a single thing about that night."
My breath caught.
"I would have still taken you to that hotel. Would have still put my hands on you. Would have still fucked you exactly the way I did." His eyes burned into mine. "Knowing or not knowing changes nothing."
