Chapter 30
Aria’s POV
I screamed, but the next second, someone shoved my head underwater. Ice–cold lake water gushed into my mouth.
I choked, sputtering, and started thrashing, trying to fight my way back to the surface.
Whoever was holding me down was strong. Much stronger than me. They clearly aimed to kill, shoving me deeper and deeper.
T’kicked and struggled, but it was useless
In panic, I tried to call out my wolf. But how damn ironic–she hated water. If she came out now, she’d drown us both faster.
Seconds ticked by like hours.
My chest felt like it was going to explode.
I couldn’t keep my mouth shut anymore. The second I opened it, bubbles rushed out
My limbs started to go limp, my body growing weak.
Was
I dying?
I forced my eyes of
open, trying to get a look at my attacker. I wanted to see this fucking face.
But the water warped their face–I could only make out a blurry shape….
Now even my vision was starting to fade…
I felt my hands drop. My body gradually sank to the bottom of the lake.
The murderer stood up, gave me one last cold look, then turned and walked away,
Damn it That it?
SPLASH!!!
Right before everything went black, I heard a loud splash.
Someone had jumped into the lake after me. The water moved aroundme, someone was swimming fast towards.
Then I felt an arm around my waist. He held me firmly against his chest and we swam to the surface.
s me.
__ARIA!!!”
Next thing I knew, I was on the shore.
Someone was pressing down on my chest, giving me CPR. Voices blurred together around me. I could hear people talking, screaming.
moving
My body jerked. I coughed a mouthful of water and finally felt better. Slowly, I opened my eyes, shivering.
First thing I saw was a pair of deep, gorgeous grey eyes. Full of worries,
I was in his arms. He was soaking wet from head to toe. The white shirt clung to his strong frame, water dripping down his handsome face.
When our eyes met, he let out a breath and pressed his forehead against mine.
Thank god,” he said hoarsely.
I blinked. Tears slipped down my checks. I suddenly wrapped my arms around his neck and sobbed, “Oh my god. I almost. Lalmost
“I know. But you’re okay now. He held me tight like he wanted to squeeze me into his body.
0:49 AM
다
Chapter 30
Then I heard crying. I looked over and saw Delilah, covering her mouth, sobbing in shock.
Then there was Jace. Standing next to her, holding her close.
For some reason, when I looked at him, he quickly looked away.
There were giards, maids, even a couple of doctors surrounding us. Pretty sure the entire estate was here.
“Aria you scared the hell out of us!” Delilah cried. “Grayson said you hadn’t come back yet and I just thought you got lost or something. So we came out to find you and saw you sinking in the lake… Oh god I can’t imagine it, if we were just a few minutes later–if Grayson hadn’t insisted on coming out and looking for you-”
Twould’ve died.
No doubt about it.
I gave another shudder. Grayson’s arms instantly tightened around me.
“What happened?” he asked.
Silence fell.
Everyone was staring at me, waiting. Maybe even the killer was somewhere in the crowd.
Someone tried to kill me,” I said.
it a weak scream and nearly dropped to the ground, Jace grabbed her in time.
Gasps. Then Delilah let out a
“Tell me everything. Grayson said, his voice like a storm brewing.
T–I was swimming, and I was tired, so I leaned on the edge to rest. Then someone came from behind and shoved me underwater. They didn’t stop no matter how much I struggled. I blacked out… and the next thing I knew, you were pulling me out.
“Did
you see who it was? Man or woman?!
1 shook my head weakly, “No… just someone really strong
“Security” Grayson snapped.
A nervous middle–aged man jogged over, sweating. “T–I’m so sorry, Miss Collins. We checked all the cameras… but there was no sign of
anyone suspicious.”
“Check again, Grayson said coldly.
*Maybe they’re just really good at avoiding cameras?” Delilah cried. “Call the police! Get the officers to search every inch of this place! Don’t stop till they find someone!”
“Yes, Lady Hart!”
“Or maybe… I raised my voice slightly, “maybe the person’s already inside. That explains why they can sneak up without anyone noticing. It’s someone from the estate”
The air went tense and
5–Someone from the estate?”
Delilah’s voice was light like a whisper like she’s afraid to scare someone.
“But–But you just got here today. You don’t even know anyone here. Who would do something like that?”
Thit my lips. Zane’s words echoed in my head.
Underestimating the people you think you know is dangerous. They’re the ones who know where to hit hardest.
I let out a shaky breath and looked straight at Jace.
9:49 AM
Chapter 30
He was already watching me, face dark and slightly panicked.
When our eyes met, he froze. Then suddenly he snapped, “Why the hell are you looking at me like that?!”
“Where were you just now?” I asked.
His face turned red. “What the hell are you doing? You think I’m the murderer? That I try to kill you? Are you fucking insane?!”
“Wait, what’s going on?” Delilah gasped. “Babe relax I’m sure she doesn’t mean that. Right Aria?”
“Ask this psycho. That’s definitely what she meant!”
“Aria, tell him you didn’t mean it
I’m not the only one who’s thought this,” I said, voice trembling. “Zane asked you the same thing. At the bar, you pushed me and I fell. Almost landed on that sculpture. If I hadn’t been lucky. I’d already be dead already.
“That was a damn accident! God I can’t believe this. You and Zane–you’re both paranoid freaks!”
Then tell me. Where were you just now?” I pursued.
Are
you serious now Aria?” Delilah shrieked. “You think my husband tried to kill you? Christ I can’t believe I called you my friend! Jace would never do something like that!”
The thing is, I didn’t know what Jace was capable of anymore.
“Enough, Grayson growled.
“No! Grayson, you tell your little whore to shut her damn mouth! Jace is my husband and part of the Hart family! She thinks just because she’s chasing some pathetic contract with him, she can accuse him of murder? Please! He doesn’t even want her stupid contract
let alone-
“I SAID ENOUGH!”
Grayson’s Alpha aura exploded.
Everyone around us flinched and bent over in pain. Delilah went pale and finally shut up.
“Answer her question, Jace,” Grayson said coldly.
Jace clenched his jaw. Before he could speak, Delilah jumped in.
“He was with me! From the moment I left Aria to when you came looking for her, he was with me the whole time. Happy now?”
My heart sank
That meant…. it couldn’t have been Jace
So someone else out there hated me enough to want me dead.
…But who?2
“That person probably doesn’t even exist! It’s all just a pathetic little act just trying to get your attention Grayson. Do not fall for it!” Delilah said angrily while glaring at me.
“I almost died and you think I was faking it?” I couldn’t believe this.
“Please. I’ve seen women do way worse to get my brother’s attention. You aren’t the first!”
“Shut it now.” Grayson hissed. And then he looked over to the security. “I want patrols doubled tonight. Guards at every exit and outside every room. Expand the search until you find this person”
“Yes, Alpha!”
Grayson lifted me into his arms again and started walking back toward the house. Omega maids scrambled to follow.
Chapter 30
Behind us, Delilah shouted angrily:
“Hey! What the hell? She’s not even gonna apologize to Jace?!”
I shivered and tried to get down, but Grayson said quietly, “Don’t.”
He carried me across the long wooden boardwalk and back into the villa Only when we got to the room did he finally set me down gently on the bed.
The maids swarmed in, helping dry me off and get me changed. He was about to leave when I grabbed his hand.
“You also think I faked it?” I asked quietly.
He brushed his hand over my hair. “No”
“Maybe maybe I got it wrong with Jace. Maybe I should apologize to Delilah.”
“You had every right to suspect him. Don’t worry
“But if it wasn’t him, then… who was it?” I whispered.
Someone out there wanted me dead. And I had no idea who they were or why.
“Go to sleep now,” he ordered. “I’ll find that person for you, Aria.
