Page 157 of Untamed

I head toward the stairs, casting one last glance over my shoulder. He’s still watching me, eyes dark, jaw set tight, a silent, beautiful storm wrapped in skin.

God help me, I’m weak for this man.

“Tonight,” I mouth.

His expression doesn’t change, but something flickers across it.

Mine, it says without a single word.

The air feels different the moment I step outside.

Ares doesn’t follow me, he just stands in the side entrance of his villa, watching in silence, the morning sun casting gold along the lines of his bare chest. I glance back once, just once, and meet his eyes.

Honestly, it takes everything in me to not go back, throw myself into his arms and kiss him.

Instead, I offer him a smile then I turn and start walking across the grounds.

The distance between his place and the main manor isn’t far, but with every step, reality creeps back in. I use the back exit that leads to the main road, so Luciano’s henchmen don’t see me leaving Ares’ villa. The gravel crunches beneath my feet. The ache in my thighs reminds me of everything we did. And the weight in my chest? That’s the part of me I left behind in his bed.

The two men guarding the gate nod in acknowledgement and open the gate to let me in.

By the time I reach the back terrace, the manor is awake. I can hear the low hum of conversation through open windows,the clink of breakfast dishes, the rustle of staff moving through hallways.

I push open the kitchen door quietly, trying not to draw attention.

It doesn’t work.

Bianca is already there, standing by the counter in leggings and one of Enzo’s old T-shirts. Coffee cup in hand. Eyes like daggers.

She doesn’t say anything at first.

Just watches me.

I shift under her stare, brushing hair from my face like it’ll help.

“Where the hell were you?” Bianca says finally, voice low and razor-sharp as she sets her coffee down so hard it sloshes over the rim.

I slip inside like I haven’t been holding my breath the entire walk back. “I stayed at a friend’s,” I answer, moving to the sink and turning on the tap, hoping the sound of running water will wash away the lie.

Bianca’s brows draw together. “What friend?”

“Sophia,”

“Who the hell isSophia?”

I keep my tone light, casual. “She’s a friend. We met when I was working at Eden. We kept in touch after... you know...it burned down. I needed to get away from here after everything and called her. She lives close by, so I went to see her.”

“Lives close by,” Bianca echoes, her voice flat. “And you just decided to crash there without telling anyone?”

I let out a sharp breath and turn to face her, irritation flaring in my chest. “Sorry, I didn’t realise I had to check in with every single person in this goddamn house before breathing.” My tone spikes, hot and defensive. “We had a couple drinks, watched some movies, and it got late. I didn’t think walking back alone at two in the morning was a great idea. What exactly is the crisis here?”

She stares at me like she’s trying to peel the skin off the truth. “The big deal is you vanished, Jordyn! Matteo didn’t know where you were. I didn’t know where you were. You weren’t answering your phone. And now you’re telling me you were with some friend I don’t know about.”

“My phone was on silent, Bianca.” I lie, avoiding her gaze. “I told you that I needed space. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, least of all you. I mean, do you blame me after everything you unloaded onto me about the Russos and Mum and Dad.”

Bianca folds her arms and fixes me with a glare. “Don’t twist this around on me. I told you the truth because you deserved to know. And if you’re so angry about it, maybe it’s because deep down, you know I’m right.”

I grit my teeth. “Okay, maybe you are right.” I throw back at her. “You told me the truth. I heard you. I just... don’t understand what you expect me to do with it.”

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