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<b>Chapter </b><b>203 </b>
Back in the hospital <b>room</b><b>, </b>Daniel told Bryant, “Have someone dig ?rbund his mother–tee if <b>you </b>can find a breakthrough
<b>Daniel </b>was obsessed with strengthening the Cole bloodline.
<b>Now </b><b>that </b><b>he </b>had another grandson, he was determined to im him- especially since Ondo was a born businessman.
<b>“</b>Get things ready for discharge.” Daniel ordered.
<b>“</b>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 nced 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 nning 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 ce.
Aria lifted her eyes to meet Owen’s, then quickly looked away. “I can handle it myself.”
Earlier, four people had epted 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 y tough. “What’s with that look?”
A beat of silence, then Owenughed 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 cor.
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.
You <b>didn’t </b>need to be a genius to guess what he’d been up to
“She <b>blurted </b><b>out</b>, <b>“</b><b>You </b>In this condition, you still want to <b>go</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
Wait, <b>how </b>had <b>she </b>missed the signs <b>of </b>his sex life? He had a girlfriend, but he was still asking her to dinner? Owen was really something
A scooted a step away<b>, </b>slightly wary.
Owen noticed her retreat and, grinning, touched his neck. “Fooled you, too, huh?”
<b>She </b>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 thosest words.
Aria’s <b>eyes </b>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 reallymitted to the role.”
The elevator opened, and they walked out, one after the other.
Softly, Owen said, “We need toe 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?”
AD
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