POV: Aria
I learned for the first time that lies could taste like blood on the tongue when Luca's eyes cut through me like a blade.
Things that were kept secret made the air thick and heavy at night. Even though I pressed my hands hard against my sides, they were shaking. As Luca stood in front of me, his big shoulders blocked the light in the hallway. He looked at me with such concentration that I felt like he could hear my heart beating so fast.
(Low and sharp) "Tell me again, Aria." This time, slowly. Why did Santino say that?"
Even though my throat hurt, I forced a small smile. If he knew the truth or even just thought it might be true, my family and I were dead.
Aria: "Your brother is loyal," she said softly. I was there and saw it. "He...he didn't say anything bad about you."
The words came out like poison.
Luca cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. His lack of sound hurt me more than any yelling could. He finally spoke, and his voice was cool but deadly.
Luca: "That's odd." (looks at me for a moment) "He says the same thing about you."
I held my breath. I couldn't stop my body from getting stiff.
Aria quickly asked, "Me?" What do you mean?"
He swore to me that you were the only person I could trust, so I'm getting closer and whispering. That you'd never lie to this family. He said things about you like... (He stops and slightly curls his lips) "...like you belonged to us."
My face got hot, and shame burned in my chest. I wanted to say no and laugh, but the words wouldn't come out right. Had a place. That one word held me down in ways I couldn't explain.
Aria: (trying to laugh) "Santino is making things up. You know him. He plays his own brand of loyalty game.
Luca wasn't happy. He got so close to me that I could feel his hot breath on my cheek.
(low, steady) "And you, Aria?" Are you also up to no good?"
My stomach turned over. I turned away and stared at the dark wall as if it knew what I needed to know.
Aria said softly, "I don't... I don't lie to people I care about.
His hand lightly touched mine, and I wasn't sure if it was a mistake or on purpose. The touch burned into me, dangerous and unsaid.
Now with a softer voice, Luca says, "Then prove it."
I was ready to scream. When I told him the truth, I meant it: that his brother had caught me and that Santino was fishing for my family's blood. They would be killed before the night was over if I told Luca, though.
But I felt like putting a knife in Luca's chest when I lied to him while he was out in public.
Aria asked herself, "What do you want me to prove?"
Luca says with a small smile, but his eyes stay cold, "That when I turn my back, you're not sharpening a blade for it."
Aria: "Do you really think I'd do that?"
I believe everyone has a price to pay. What's yours? That's the question.
His words hurt more than a slap.
I did not reply. I already knew my price, that's why. The lives of my family.
Somewhere far away, a door squeaked. It was me who first felt the sound, the shift in the air and the weight of someone watching us. Luca's head snapped toward it.
Santino's words cut through the darkness like a knife through glass from the corner.
As a joke, Santino says, "Touching." Very moving. My little brother is being a guardian while the girl tells him lies.
Luca stiffened up, and his jaw got tight.
"You shouldn't listen in, Santino," Luca said in a cold voice.
"And you shouldn't trust so easily," Santino said with a smile as he stepped closer. That has always been your weakness, though.
My throat got dry. When Santino looked at me, his eyes were sharp and warned me. I remembered the threat: "Work for me or your family bleeds." He didn't have to say anything.
Aria: "You heard what I said," she said in a calm voice. "I told Luca you would be loyal."
Santino: (smirks more) "Yes." You make lies sound so much better when you say them, Aria.
He turned his attention back to me. In his eyes, there was a mix of confusion and suspicion. I could feel the ground moving away from me.
"What lies?" Luca asked with clenched teeth.
"Ask her yourself."
My chest got tight. The walls got closer together. There was only destruction if I told, Santino would destroy my family. If I lied, Luca might figure out the lie and hate me forever.
"Stop this." Please. "Both of you."
"Ariana, don't beg. Just tell me the truth. Did you know? Did you hide something from me?"
My eyes hurt with tears.
"I didn't want this! I didn't choose it!"
"Choose what? Damn it, Ariawhat aren't you telling me?"
My lips parted, the truth tearing at my neck, but Santino's sharp glance froze me in place.
"Careful, brother. Press her too hard, and you might break something you can't fix."
Luca's nostrils flared, his grip tightening. I could feel his beating pounding against my skin. His eyes weren't just suspicious anymore they were hurt.
"So it's true. You're hiding something."
I shook my head and started to cry.
"What you think is wrong." Please believe me.
Santino moved back into the darkness with a smile that wouldn't go away.
"She'll change her mind." "They always do."
After that, he was gone, leaving his words in the air like a curse.
He looked at me for a long time. There was more noise in the quiet between us than in any disagreement. He finally let go of my arm.
"I am not sure if I still believe you."
He walked away, leaving me in the hallway, weak in the knees and broke in the heart.
As I tried to breathe, I pressed my shaking hand against the wall. Suddenly, a new voice broke the quiet. It is deep, steady, and full of power.
"Aria Voss. You're not sure what to do. That being said, I can protect you.
I went cold. My heart beat faster.
In a whisper, Aria asks, "Protection... from who?"
Carter took a step closer. In the dim light, his badge had a faint shine. His eyes were fixed on mine and wouldn't move.
"From both of them."
The ground shook under me. The traitor already had two faces. Was I ready for the third?