Chapter 192
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Fryderyk asked , “ Allen , you never say , but I know Aria isn’t ordinary . She can clearly handle herself why are you so worried about her ?
“ I can’t help it , ” Allen muttered , frowning deeply . “ She went through something . Got her own shadows . Ever sirice , she’s been a lone wolf – won’t let anyone in . ”
Fryderyk pressed , “ You know what happened ? ”
“ No idea . ”
Fryderyk shook his head . Aria and Owen seemed close – did they really know who the other was ?
Masmubia . In a smoky underground casino , a man lounged on a sofa , his gaze sly and cold , tinged with world – weary disdain .
Faces flickered in the shifting light – greedy , eager , desperate , mad . They crowded the gambling tables , bloodshot eyes wild .
In this sunless den , fortunes were made and ruined in a single night .
The man swirled a glass of blood – red wine , then tossed it back . An old man beside him spoke quietly :
“ Sir , the Solemnity Guild wants Echohawk dead . You can’t take everything they say at face value – they may just want to use you as a weapon . ”
The man laughed , eyes narrowing to icy slits . “ You’ve checked it out ? ”
The old man handed over a dossier .
Downstairs , the noise was deafening , but here not a sound leaked through .
The man stood , his tall figure casting most of the light into shadow . “ Get ready . We’re going to Huthailia . ”
“ How many men do you want ? ” the old man asked .
“ A handful . Too many , and the play gets boring . ”
Back in the car , the mood was tense . Owen sensed Aria’s mood wasn’t right .
“ Aria . ” It was the first time he’d called her name out loud .
-She turned . “ What is it ? ”
He didn’t answer , but she saw concern in his eyes and had to smile . “ Relax , Owen . I’m not reckless enough to take them on headfirst . I’m still young , not planning to throw my life away . This is our turf – they won’t get far . ”
Owen nodded . “ Fair point . ”
At a red light , he glanced over . “ When did you realize it was me ? ”
She met his eyes , then looked down at his right hand . “ When you tried to test me with the bite mark . ”
He remembered too . “ Ruined your mission , didn’t I ? ”
Owen had always wondered what could make a fourteen – year – old girl walk the path she had .
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Once he realized it was Aria , he remembered the promise to buy her meats for hire and had instinctively started mottling her to rent ha ag
They’d met up countless times since , though somehow , their relationship had never really deepened .
Now that it was all out in the open , Aria didn’t feel like hiding . “ Owen , feel like a fight ?
Twenty minutes later , the car stopped outside a boxing gym .
They got out and headed in together . Their looks immediately drew every eye in the place
The receptionist called out , “ You two here to sign up ? ”
“ No. ” Owen handed over a card . “ We need a ring . No audience . ”
Oh , so he’s teaching his girlfriend some self – defense , the staff thought . Used to requests like this , she nodded and went to prepare the spare
After changing and strapping on gear , Aria and Owen stepped onto the ring . Several staff gathered to watch through the glass .
“ That couple’s gorgeous . Better looking than celebrities .”
“ Honestly , they don’t look like a couple at all – feels more like enemies . Look at the tension in there . ”
The receptionist agreed , “ Maybe that’s just their love language . Either way , quiet – you don’t want to get caught staring and get yelled at
“ Yeah , yeah . ”
On the ring , both started stretching .
Aria smirked , “ Owen , don’t you dare go easy on me . ”
Owen’s face turned serious . “ I wouldn’t dream of it . ”
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