Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 73: The Devil's Proposal

Aari's heart pounded in her chest as the G-Wagon pulled up to the isolated mansion, its looming presence casting a dark shadow over the empty grounds. The vehicle came to a stop, and she was unceremoniously dragged out, her mind racing with fear and anger. As the front door of the mansion creaked open, she was shoved inside, the cold air of the grand foyer sending shivers down her spine.

She was greeted by a sickening sight—Theo, standing there with a smug grin on his face, as if he had been waiting for her all along. Anger surged through Aari, pushing her fear to the side. Without thinking, she stormed toward him, her hand flying out to slap him hard across the face.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Theo? Why are you doing this?" she screamed, her voice laced with a mix of fury and desperation.

Theo didn't react as she expected. Instead of anger, his eyes darkened with a twisted amusement. He caught her wrist in midair, pulling her close and slamming her back against the cold wall. The impact knocked the breath out of her, and she struggled against his hold, but he was too strong.

His lips curled into a wicked smile as he traced a finger along her neck, his touch sending chills down her spine. "It's been so long, love," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "Is this really how you greet your future husband?"

Aari glared at him, fury burning in her eyes, but before she could respond, Theo's gaze roamed over her body, taking in every detail of the dress she wore. His eyes darkened with a predatory gleam, and he let out a low, appreciative hum.

"Ahmm... you still know exactly what I like on you," he murmured, his voice dripping with twisted satisfaction. His hands moved with deliberate slowness, sliding up her thighs and slipping inside her dress. The feel of her lingerie beneath his fingers made him chuckle darkly. "And underneath too, I see. Good girl. You always did know how to please me."

Aari shuddered at his touch, disgust twisting in her stomach, but she forced herself to remain still, knowing any resistance would only fuel his sick pleasure. Theo's fingers traced the lace of her lingerie, lingering over the delicate fabric as he leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear.

"You wore this just for me, didn't you?" he whispered, his tone possessive, almost tender in its cruelty. "I knew you couldn't resist. You're mine, Aari. You've always been mine."

His words sent a wave of revulsion through her, but she swallowed hard, her mind racing for a way out of this nightmare. Theo's grip on her tightened, his hands exploring further as he savored the feel of her body, his twisted desire evident in every touch.

"You know, love," he continued, his voice a sinister purr, "I've been thinking about this moment for a long time. And now that you're here, dressed so perfectly for me, I think it's time we make it official. Don't you?"

Aari recoiled at his words, disgust and fear swirling inside her. But before she could respond, the front door of the mansion burst open with a deafening crash. Nikol charged in, his eyes blazing with fury, blood splattered across his suit from the guards he had taken down to get here.

But Theo was faster. In a heartbeat, he had a gun pressed to Aari's temple, his arm wrapped tightly around her neck. Aari's breath hitched as the cold metal of the barrel dug into her skin, her life hanging by a thread.

"On your knees, Nikol," Theo ordered, his voice cold and commanding. "Now. Bend down and throw your weapon, or I'll blow her brains out."

Nikol's jaw clenched in rage, but he did as Theo demanded. He dropped to his knees, tossing his weapon aside with a growl of frustration. A guard quickly moved in, searching Nikol for any other hidden weapons. Finding none, they tied him to a chair across from Aari.

Theo smirked as he reached for his tie, wrapping it around Aari's wrists, binding them together. "No ropes for you, my love," he purred, his breath hot against her ear. "The sight of your hands tied with my tie... it makes me want to do things to you. But that can wait." He traced the barrel of the gun along her temple, the cold steel a cruel contrast to his mocking words.

Aari struggled against the tie, her mind racing as she tried to process the horror of the situation. Theo's words were laced with a dark, perverse affection that made her skin crawl. But as she glanced at Nikol, she saw something that made her blood run cold—confusion.

"I heard a rumor that it's nearly impossible to find 'Master,'" Theo sneered, using the underworld name that sent fear through even the most hardened criminals. "But here you are, rushing to save her. I thought you'd do better, brother."

Nikol's eyes narrowed, his mind working frantically to piece together what Theo was saying. "Brother?" The word hung in the air, a chilling realization dawning on him.

Theo laughed, the sound cold and devoid of any real humor. He picked up a syringe from a nearby table, twirling it in his fingers. "This will paralyze you for a good twenty-five minutes," he said, his tone casual. "I can't risk you doing something stupid, given your... capabilities. I'm impressed, though. It's the Russo blood, after all. Daddy would be proud."

Aari's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the name, her mind reeling. "Russo blood?" She looked at Nikol, the realization hitting her like a freight train. Nikol was "Master," the most feared man in the underworld and her very own stalker. But that wasn't all—Theo and Nikol were... brothers?

Theo's eyes gleamed with malice as he continued. "Oh, come on, don't be so dumb, Nikol. Do the math." He gestured to his face, the resemblance suddenly all too clear. "Same charming looks, same ruthless streak. We're twins, brother. Daddy dearest decided to inform me about it just twenty days ago. I must admit, I was jealous at first—you got Mom's eyes, after all. But then, I realized the fun we could have."

Nikol's gaze turned murderous, his fists clenched so tightly the knuckles turned white. "This is about us, Theo. Leave Aari out of it. If you hurt her, I'll kill you myself."

Theo's laugh was a chilling sound that echoed through the room. "We meet after twenty-six years, and the first thing you want to do is kill your only brother? I don't think Daddy would approve." He turned back to Aari, his hand cupping her face roughly, his touch possessive and cruel.

"She's going to marry me," Theo declared, his voice a dark promise. "Super soon. So, I can't exactly leave my future wife out of this, can I?" He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "You'll be mine, Aari. Completely. And there's nothing Nikol or anyone else can do to stop it."

Aari recoiled, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to breathe. The weight of Theo's words pressed down on her, suffocating her with their sinister intent. Nikol strained against his bonds, his eyes burning with fury and desperation as he watched the woman he loved trapped in the clutches of his twisted brother.