Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 75: The Ultimatum

Aari slowly regained consciousness, her mind foggy as she tried to piece together the events that had led her here. The room she found herself in was luxurious, but the opulence only heightened her anxiety. The soft bedding beneath her contrasted starkly with the turmoil swirling in her mind. She sat up, taking in her surroundings—dark, wooden furniture, heavy drapes, and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. Where am I?

Her heart raced as she pushed herself off the bed, her legs unsteady but determined. She moved cautiously, opening the door to find herself in a long corridor. The mansion felt eerily empty, save for the distant murmur of voices. Following the sound, she found Theo in a large open room, his back to her as he spoke to a group of men.

"...ensure that security is flawless. I want no unexpected interruptions," he said, his voice as smooth and cold as marble. The men before him nodded, taking his words with the seriousness they deserved. Theo wasn't a man to be crossed, and they all knew it.

But then, he felt her presence. It was as if the air shifted when she entered the room. Without even turning, he could sense the anger radiating off her, the fear tangled within it. He paused, letting the tension build before he slowly turned to face her.

There she was, standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with a mix of fury and dread. Theo took his time looking her over, his gaze lingering just long enough to make her squirm. A smirk curled at the corners of his lips as he met her defiant glare. Perfect.

"What do you think you're doing?" Aari demanded, her voice trembling as she tried to assert herself. "What is this place? I need to go home now."

Theo's smirk deepened, a dark amusement dancing in his eyes. "Home?" he echoed, his tone laced with mockery. "This is your home for sometimes, love"

She bristled at the term, her eyes narrowing in anger. "And who changed my clothes?" she snapped, her voice sharp.

Theo's expression softened into something almost pitying as he took a leisurely step toward her. "I didn't touch you, if that's what you're worried about," he said, his voice a smooth drawl. "I had my staff handle that. I'm not in the habit of breaking my toys before they've been properly unwrapped. Besides..." He paused, letting the tension stretch, watching her face for the telltale signs of unease. "Before marriage, I won't lay a hand on you. But after... well, that's a different story."

He saw the fear flicker in her eyes, but she held her ground, refusing to be cowed. It intrigued him, this stubborn streak of hers, and made the game all the more interesting.

"I'm leaving now," Aari declared, her voice rising with desperation as she turned to storm out.

Theo watched her go, a low chuckle escaping his lips. One of his men stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "Mr. Russo, should we follow her?"

"No," Theo said, waving him off. "Let her wander. She'll realize soon enough that there's nowhere to go." He glanced toward the door she'd just passed through, his smirk returning. "This is my island—there's no one here except us. Let her have her fun. Maybe she'll even make some new friends among the birds."

The man nodded, stepping back as Theo turned his gaze back to where Aari had fled. He could still feel the fire in her eyes, the stubborn defiance in her voice. It was rare, finding someone with so much fight in them. Most would have broken by now, but not her. No, she was going to be a challenge, and Theo relished it.

Let her think she's free, he mused, his smirk widening. It'll make her surrender all the sweeter when it comes.

Hours later, Theo found her on the balcony, staring out at the ocean as if the sight of it might give her the answers she was desperately seeking. He stepped quietly onto the balcony, watching her for a moment before speaking.