35. Jared

35

JARED

I glower at the steel walls of my prison cell, my knuckles white against the bars. It's clear that little bitch Lisa snitched.

How dare she try to tear Aria and me apart?

I picture her deceitful face and her traitorous eyes. This betrayal will not stand. They may call me sick, but they don't understand the depth of our bond. Aria is mine; she chose me.

It's hard to rein in my fury in this cell, but I focus on breathing to temper the rage that threatens to consume me. Ironically, cyberstalking is not the charge I expected to be locked up for. Murdering a kid by pushing him off the bleachers just over three years ago, perhaps, but not stalking my baby stepsister.

And now, here I am, caged like a wild animal because some people can't handle the truth. They see my obsession but don't understand our intense, passionate love that transcends such a simple label.

The day I get out of here, I'll track Lisa down. I'll make her pay for what she's done. That bitch won't know what hit her.

My love for Aria knows no bounds. It burns within me, fueling the fire in my soul. Our destiny is intertwined, and nothing will keep us apart. I have to get to her, make her understand that we're meant to be together.

The heavy cell door clanks open, and a guard barks, "Jared, you've got a visitor."

I rise, anticipation coursing through me. Could it be... Aria? My heart pounds as I'm led down the corridor. The guard pushes me through a door into the visitor's room, and there she stands—my Aria, her eyes shining with worry.

Without hesitation, she rushes forward and throws her arms around me. I inhale her familiar scent, savoring the feel of her soft body against mine. I crush her to me, my lips in her hair.

"Baby, I've missed you so much," I murmur, nuzzling her neck.

Aria pulls back, her hands on my chest as she searches my face. "Jared, are you okay?" Her fingers trace the bruise along my jaw, a reminder of my recent struggle with the office who spoke shit about me fucking my stepsister.

"I am now." My eyes never leave hers. "Nothing matters except you and me together."

Her eyes fill with tears. "Our parents say you're not well. That you're obsessed with me because of some condition and that you're off your meds..." She swallows hard. "Jared, please tell me it's not true. Tell me this is real."

Breaking away, I cup her face. "This is real, Aria. We share a connection that transcends normal relationships. I'm not obsessed. It's something far more complex and beautiful."

"But your medication?" she presses. "Have you been taking it?"

Leaning in, I brush my lips over hers, a soft whimper escaping her. "I've taken my meds religiously, but I don't need them to control my desires for you. You're my drug, the only thing that eases the darkness within me."

Aria's chest heaves as she clings to me desperately. For this moment, at least, the world has fallen away.

I gaze into Aria's eyes, my thumb caressing her cheek. "Baby, you know how I feel about you. It's more than desire—an all-consuming love that burns through my veins. Our souls are entwined, and nothing will keep us apart. Not our parents, not society, and certainly not Lisa."

She trembles in my arms, her eyes blazing with desire and defiance. "No, they won't." She bites her lip. "I'll be here for you. Always."

Leaning in, I capture her lips in a searing kiss, our tongues dancing together. Aria whimpers against my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair as she presses closer. My aching hunger for her threatens to consume me.

A loud cough startles us apart. "Hey! Break it up, you two!" The guard's gruff voice calls. "No funny business in here."

Aria flushes, but her eyes sparkle. "It's okay, officer. I've paid Jared's bail. He'll be coming home with me."

The words send a jolt of pure want straight to my groin.

Home.

We can't exactly return to our family home, so we'll have to go to my apartment in Longate. The thought of having Aria alone, of claiming every inch of her without interruption... I nearly growl.

The guard eyes us. "Alright then. Let's get you processed for release, Jared." He jerks his head toward the door. "Say your goodbyes for now."

I pull Aria into one last bruising kiss, devouring her gasp. When we finally part, I gaze at her. "This isn't over, baby. Not even close."

She trembles, her cheeks flushed. "I can't wait," she mutters.

Watching her slip out the door, I can't resist licking my lips, savoring the lingering taste of her on my tongue. Soon, so very soon, she'll be mine again, and this time, no one will tear us apart.