Chapter 203

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Back in the hospital room , Daniel told Bryant , “ Have someone dig ärbund his mother – tee if you can find a breakthrough
Daniel was obsessed with strengthening the Cole bloodline .
Now that he had another grandson , he was determined to claim him- especially since Orlando was a born businessman .
“ Get things ready for discharge . ” Daniel ordered .
“ Yes , sir , ” Bryant replied .
At nine that evening . Mason texted Aría : [ Is now a good time to go ? ]
Aria headed to the training room , expertly strapping medical tools and two hidden knives to her body before slipping out .
She glanced at Owen’s door as she made her way down the hall .
As the elevator doors opened , a familiar voice called , “ Ms. Saxon ? ”
She turned , startled , and locked eyes with Owen .
For a second , neither spoke .
Owen arched a brow , a faint smile on his lips , the corridor light casting shadows over his face , his gaze probing and inscrutable .
Aria instinctively reached out , and the elevator doors opened again . Owen stepped in , joining her inside .
“ If Mason hadn’t messaged me , were you planning to go alone ? ” Owen asked quietly .
He’d seen Mason at work earlier and mentioned he’d go with Aria , which is why Mason texted her in the first place .
Aria lifted her eyes to meet Owen’s , then quickly looked away . “ I can handle it myself . ”
Earlier , four people had accepted the bounty .
Once she made it clear the police were involved , two dropped out . That left just the right number .
Owen’s eyes never left her . “ You broke your word . ”
She pressed her lips together , voice low . “ Yeah . ”
Then she felt the weight of his gaze – hot and just a little wounded . She didn’t have to look up to know .
When she finally met his eyes , she tried to play tough . “ What’s with that look ? ”
A beat of silence , then Owen laughed softly . “ Nothing . I can’t beat you , so whatever you say goes . ”
It sounded normal , but something about his tone felt … off .
Then she caught a glimpse of red beneath his collar .
Aria instinctively reached out and tugged at his shirt .
There it was a lipstick mark on his neck , faint bruises from fingers pressed a little too hard .
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You didn’t need to be a genius to guess what he’d been up to
“ She blurted out , “ You In this condition , you still want to go ! ”
Wait , how had she missed the signs of his sex life ? He had a girlfriend , but he was still asking her to dinner ? Owen was really something
Arla scooted a step away , slightly wary .
Owen noticed her retreat and , grinning , touched his neck . “ Fooled you , too , huh ? ”
She looked at him , puzzled .
He met her eyes , lips curving in a smile . “ Did you forget ? I’m supposed to be your lover right now . ”
He practically purred those last words .
Aria’s eyes widened in shock . “ You did it on purpose ? ”
With his performance , her casual attitude really did look half – assed .
If Owen could read her mind , he’d say it wasn’t just half – assed – it was practically amateur hour .
“ I did it myself , ” he replied , a glint of mischief in his eyes .
She noticed another mark on his jaw .
Honestly , she was impressed . “ You’re really committed to the role . ”
The elevator opened , and they walked out , one after the other .
Softly , Owen said , “ We need to come up with nicknames that fit our roles . ”
After all these months , their interactions were still painfully formal .
How do lovers address each other , anyway ?
Aria remembered a cheesy scene from one of Vanessa’s soap operas and blurted out , “ Baby ? ”
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