28. Aria

28

ARIA

T he day our parents are due back hangs over us like a dark cloud. It's finally here, and I dread facing my mom after everything that has happened since she dropped me off at the carnival.

Will she sense I'm no longer an innocent little girl?

That my stepbrother has defiled me?

I steal glances at Jared, his eyes sparking with an intensity that both thrills and intimidates me. Together, we've crossed lines I only ever read about. But as the reality of our parents' return looms, I can't help but wonder how we got here.

Jared's obsession with me didn't start overnight. It was a slow burn, which seemed more like hatred. He has yet to open up to me about his mom; anytime I bring her up, he gets closed off and irritated. All I know is that his childhood before moving here is the reason for his darkness.

Jared's reaction to learning about my father's abuse proves that he is driven by a fierce protectiveness that makes me feel safer than I've ever felt.

It's hard to believe Jared has watched me for years, even after leaving. Watching me, biding his time until I turned eighteen to claim me. That night, when Jared took me captive, I saw the extent of his obsession, and it was the most addicting thing I've ever fucking experienced.

He had planned everything and forced me into a twisted game of submission and control. And yet, even as I fought against him, a part of me craved his touch and yearned for him.

Now, as we sit in the aftermath of our depraved one-week exploration, knowing our fantasy is about to shatter with the arrival of our parents, neither of us has anything to say.

I should be horrified and disgusted by Jared's initial actions—stealing me from the haunted house and tying me up. But instead, I think I'm more drawn to him because of it.

"Are you okay, princess?" He whispers.

I shake my head. "I just don't want this to end."

His jaw clenches. "It's not going to end. I told you. It's never going to end." He pats his lap.

I get up and move to sit on his lap, sliding my arms around his neck. "Promise me," I breathe.

He smirks. "Promise. I'll fucking burn the entire town to the ground if that's what it takes to have you. There's no world in which I stop fighting for us unless I'm fucking dead."

I bury my face in his neck, inhaling. He's become my world, my everything. I know what we're doing is wrong, that our relationship is taboo. But I'm falling so fucking hard and fast I can't stop myself.

As the sound of a car pulling into the driveway breaks through our moment, I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the performance of a lifetime. I grieve Jared's touch as I quickly climb off him and sit on the opposite sofa. Our parents can never know the truth about us, the depths of depravity we've explored over the past week.

The doorbell rings, and my heart leaps into my throat. Jared shoots me a pointed look, his eyes burning with a silent warning. I nod imperceptibly, steeling myself for the act we're about to perform.

"Aria, honey, can you get the door?" Mom's voice calls out from the entryway.

I take a deep breath and plaster a smile, willing my features to remain calm and composed. "Coming, Mom!"

Maintaining a steady pace, I open to door. Mom and my stepdad stand there, laden with bags and big smiles.

But their expressions quickly shift to surprise when they spot Jared behind me.

"Jared?" Dad's brow furrows. "What are you doing here, son?"

Jared steps forward. "Hey, Dad. Elaine." He flashes them a smile. "I took a little trip back to surprise Aria for her birthday and spend some time with my little sis."

I try to ignore how my skin prickles at his words.

Mom's face softens. "That's so sweet of you, Jared. We had no idea you were coming."

"Yeah, well, I managed to get a few weeks off from work," Jared lies, wrapping an arm around my shoulders in a seemingly innocent gesture. But his touch, especially in front of them, makes my whole body burn. "Figured I'd spend some quality time with my family."

I lean into his embrace, willing myself to play along. As his fingers trail down my arm, leaving a burning trail in their wake, memories of those same hands exploring every inch of my body come to the forefront of my mind.

"Well, we're certainly glad to have you here," Dad says, clapping Jared on the shoulder. "It'll be just like old times, eh?"

Jared's grip on me tightens. "Yeah, Dad. Just like old times."

As our parents enter the kitchen, chattering excitedly about Jared's surprise visit, dread creeps through my blood.

How long before the truth comes spilling out about our fucked-up relationship?

Jared leans close. "Play along, little sister," he murmurs. "The fun's just getting started."

A shiver runs through me. No matter how hard we try to maintain our charade, our twisted desires are too strong to hide, threatening to consume us both.