Darkest Seduction

Aria

"Oh mafia one hundred per cent, look at the way she's standing," I say to Ares as we both glance at the redhead woman standing on her own looking at a painting. 

He tilts his head to the side as he asses her demeanour, back straightened with her legs slightly apart to give herself better support, "I have to agree, well done," He says and I laugh. 

We like to play this game together when we have to go out for business where we try to guess if the people here are part of the mafia family, a gang or just innocents with no idea they're walking around with serial killers, it's entertaining. 

Ares and I smile as the waitress hands us our second glass of champagne, the engagement ring back on my finger glitters in the light and I smile even wider despite myself. We make our rounds talking and chatting with other people. 

It's only when we turn the corner and see Helen and Pheonix do our smiles drop and I slouch a little as Ares loosens his tie, "Fuck me, these people make a bingo game seem exhilarating," Ares says dryly and I laugh. 

Helen rolls her eyes, "I know, I tried to make us as late as possible but Pheonix was breaking into hives." 

"I'm not trying to piss off our Padre but not coming to this stupid thing," Phoenix complains as he finishes his glass of champagne, "Aria you look lovely. Ares you look fine." 

I and Helen snicker together as Ares glares at Pheonix who just gives him a teasing grin, functions are the best when we can all go together. We get to be ourselves and although Ares never fully relaxes when we're out he seems less standoffish when he's with Helen and Pheonix and me of course. 

I hand Helen my glass, "I'm running to the bathroom. Try not to have fun without me!" I call out, teasingly as Ares glances down the hallway I need to walk down to make it into the bathroom. He relaxes a little more when he sees it's empty. 

Always so on edge. 

Pushing on the golden door I take a deep breath as I walk inside the bathroom. Very fancy bathrooms, even for an art gallery. I go inside the stall and shut it behind me, locking it.  

A few minutes later I walk out and wash my hands before re-applying my lipgloss and messing around with my hair, a blonde woman walks in and heads for the mirror. She fixes her powder and re-does her mascara. 

I love women. 

"I adore your dress, where is it from?" She asks, turning to look at me. 

I smile at her as I glance down at my teal-coloured gown, Ares got it for me to wear tonight. It was an off-the-shoulder silk number, I loved it. 

He did too, which he made clear to me in the backseat of our car. 

My cheeks flush at the thought and then I look back to the woman, "Versace I think. Spring collection." 

I reach over the golden sinks to grab some tissue to blot my lipstick, as I do I notice the girl's eyes drop to my ring and she smiles, "Oh congratulations, what did you say your name was?" 

"Oh I didn't, I'm Aria. Aria Valentino," I say to her, her smile drops as she looks at me and I glance back at her after I turn to dispose of the tissue. 

"Oh I know you, you were getting married to my brother," She says to me, no longer smiling. 

My mouth drops open in surprise as I stare at her, "I didn't know Ares had a sister." 

And it's weird he never mentioned it to me, I'd never once seen her at a family event. I'd seen plenty of Pheonic and even Zeus before he ran off with Gabriella. Why hadn't Ares told me he had a sister? I understand maybe not broadcasting it so she didn't have to be married off.