The sun had barely risen when Aria’s eyes fluttered open. The faint glow from the curtains painted golden streaks across the room, where Damian still lay fast asleep beside her — looking deceptively calm for a man who drove her insane.

Aria sat up slowly, brushing her tangled hair back, eyes sharp and thoughtful.

“What’s really going on, Aria?” she whispered to herself. “Don’t mess things up now. You’ve got too many snakes to deal with — Vivienne, Sophia, that so-called celebrity who thinks she’s relevant, and this fool lying here like he owns peace.”

She glanced at Damian’s sleeping face and muttered under her breath, “You look harmless when...