Chapter 13: Shadows in the Spotlight

The whispers started the next morning. Aria felt them creeping into the air, swirling through the hallways, and dancing on the lips of her classmates. Something had shifted, but it wasn't just about her and Damien anymore.

---

"Did you hear about last night?" Emma's voice was barely above a whisper as she slid into her seat next to Aria during biology class.

Aria frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Emma leaned closer. "Someone broke into the principal's office. They didn't take anything, but they left a message on the wall. Something about secrets."

Aria's stomach twisted. "Secrets?"

"Yeah," Emma said, her voice dropping even lower. "It said, 'The truth always comes out.' Creepy, right?"

Before Aria could respond, the teacher called for their attention, but her mind raced. Could it be connected to Jacob? Or worse—was it about Damien?

---

After school, Aria found Damien waiting by her locker. His expression was as dark as ever, but there was an edge to it, a tension she couldn't quite place.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice firm.

"Let me guess," Aria said, folding her arms. "This is about Jacob."

Damien's jaw tightened. "It's bigger than Jacob now. Meet me outside after class."

Aria hesitated. "Damien, if you're hiding something—"

"Just trust me," he interrupted, his eyes locking onto hers.

---

Aria met him in the parking lot after the final bell, but she wasn't expecting what she found. Damien wasn't alone. Standing next to him was a tall, muscular man in his early twenties, his leather jacket and sharp features making him look just as intimidating as Damien.

"This is Ethan," Damien said. "My brother."

Aria blinked, stunned. "You never told me you had a brother."

"There's a lot I haven't told you," Damien said flatly.

Ethan offered a half-smile. "Nice to meet you, Aria. Damien's told me a lot about you."

Aria glanced between them, her unease growing. "What's going on?"

Ethan's expression turned serious. "Jacob's not acting alone. He's part of a group—one that has a personal vendetta against our family."

"Why?" Aria asked, her voice shaking.

Damien looked away, his jaw clenched. "Because of something my father did years ago. He crossed the wrong people, and now they're coming after us—and anyone close to us."

---

The revelation hit Aria like a freight train. She had been so focused on Damien's temper and possessiveness that she hadn't stopped to consider the bigger picture.

"What does this have to do with me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You're their leverage," Ethan said bluntly. "They know Damien cares about you, and they'll use that to hurt him."

Damien's hand tightened into a fist. "Not if I stop them first."

Aria took a step back, her mind racing. "This is insane. I didn't sign up for this!"

"I know," Damien said, his voice softer now. "But I can't let you go. Not now."

Ethan sighed. "You're both in danger, whether you like it or not. The only question is how you're going to handle it."

---

That night, Aria found herself at a diner on the outskirts of town, sitting across from Damien and Ethan. The dim lighting and quiet hum of conversation gave the place an almost eerie atmosphere.

"So what's the plan?" Aria asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

"We need to find out who Jacob's working with," Ethan said. "And why they're targeting Damien now."

"I can handle Jacob," Damien said, his tone dark.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You couldn't even handle him at the mill without making a scene."

"Enough," Aria said sharply, surprising both of them. "This isn't a game. If we're going to do this, we need to be smart."

Damien's lips twitched into a smirk. "Bossy suits you."

Aria rolled her eyes. "Focus, Damien."

---

As they left the diner, Aria's phone buzzed. She pulled it out, her stomach dropping when she saw the message.

"You're playing with fire, Aria. Be careful, or you'll get burned."

She showed the message to Damien, whose expression darkened instantly.

"They're watching you," he said, his voice cold.

Ethan cursed under his breath. "We need to move fast. If they've already started threatening her, it's only a matter of time before they make their move."

Aria felt a chill run down her spine, but she squared her shoulders. "Then let's make ours first."