Chapter 258 · My Hockey Roommate’s Filthy Desires

Chapter 258

BRANDON'S POVI stood there and took every single hit. Every sharp word was a blade cutting straight into my chest, but I didn't step back. I couldn't."You think I wanted this life for you?" I asked, my voice dropping to an agonizing whisper as I leaned over the desk, forcing her to look at the raw truth in my eyes."I hated every second I had to keep you in the dark, Aria. But the moment you entered my world, my enemies became yours. The only way I could keep you and Amelia breathing was to build a fortress so thick, so absolute, that no one would ever dare touch you.""And look where that got us," she sobbed, gesturing wildly toward the door. "Julian put his hands on me. He is trying to take our daughter. His father just sat in that chair and called Amelia a bastard. Your dark world didn't protect us from them, Brandon—it dragged them straight to our front door."The mention of Julian touching her made a fresh wave of black fury roar in my veins, but the sight of her tears instantly killed it, leaving only a hollow ache.I reached across the desk, my large, scarred hand hovering just inches from hers, desperate to wipe away the moisture on her cheeks."Don't," she whispered, her voice suddenly small, exhausted, and fragile as she pulled her hands back toward her chest. "Please, Brandon... don't touch me right now."My hand froze in the empty air between us. The sight of her flinching from me cut deeper than any bullet ever could. Slowly, agonizingly, I pulled my hand back, clenching it into a tight fist at my side."Julian won't touch you again, Aria," I said, my voice dangerously steady, a dark promise settling into the quiet room. "I am going to finish this. Once and for all.”I couldn't do it. I couldn't keep my hands to myself when she was standing right in front of me, trembling, bleeding emotionally from wounds I had caused.Ignoring the warning in her eyes, I moved closer."Brandon—" I didn't let her finish. I reached out, my large, scarred hands gently framing her face, my thumbs sweeping across her cheekbones to catch the hot tears spilling down her skin.She stiffened, her hands coming up to rest against my chest right over my heart, but she didn't pull away. She didn't push. She just stood there, her dark, tear-filled eyes locked onto mine, her breath coming in shallow, ragged hitches.The heat of her skin under my palms grounded me instantly, blowing away the lingering darkness of the underworld, the boardroom execution, and the rage I had carried into this office."I'm going to kiss you, Aria," I murmured, my voice dropping into a thick, low whisper that vibrated against her lips. I brought my head down until my forehead rested lightly against hers, letting her feel the desperate, erratic rhythm of my heart beneath her hands."If you want me to stop... if you truly want me out of your life... push me away right now. I swear to God, I'll step back."She didn't move. Her hands remained pressed against my chest, her fingers curling slightly into the fabric of my dress shirt.I gave her three long seconds. Three agonising seconds where the entire world hung in the balance. When she stayed still, her lips slightly parted, I closed the tiny distance remaining and pressed my mouth to hers.The kiss started slow, heavy with five years of unspoken grief, secret protection, and a desperate, starving hunger. I expected her to freeze, or perhaps to simply endure it out of sheer exhaustion.Instead, a soft sigh broke from her throat, and she kissed me back. Her arms slid up my chest, wrapping tightly around my neck, pulling me down into her with a fierce, possessive grip that nearly brought me to my knees.The anger, the pain, the sense of betrayal, it all poured into the kiss, turning it raw and urgent. She tightened her hold, sinking her fingers into my hair as if she were drowning and I was the only thing keeping her afloat.I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her slightly off her feet and pulling her flush against my body, burying my face in the curve of her neck as our mouths parted for air.She gripped my shoulders tightly, her cheek pressed against mine, her ragged breathing echoing in the quiet office."I hate you for lying to me," she whispered into my skin, her voice broken, but her hands holding on for dear life. "I hate how terrifying your world is. But I can't... I can't do this without you, Brandon."I tightened my arms around her, closing my eyes as a profound wave of relief washed over me."You'll never have to," I swore softly into her hair, my hand stroking the back of her head."I'm going to tear down every single threat left in this city, Aria. And then I am going to spend the rest of my life making this right with you and Amelia.”The silence in the office was thick, heavy with the weight of everything we had just surrendered to.Aria’s hands slowly slid down from my shoulders, her breathing still shallow and uneven.She took a step back, her palm flat against my chest to gently create space between us. I forced my arms to loosen around her waist, letting her pull away, though every instinct in my body screamed at me to hold on tight."I need time, Brandon," she whispered, her eyes shining with unshed tears, her lower lip trembling slightly. "I need... space to figure out what any of this means for us. For Amelia."The words cut deep, but I nodded immediately, accepting the boundary without a second thought. "Okay," I said, my voice raspy. "Take all the time you need, Aria."I took a slow step back, putting the edge of her desk back between us to give her room to breathe. The sight of her looking so fragile, yet standing her ground, reminded me of why I would burn the entire world to keep her safe."I have a few things to settle with Victor Sterling regarding Vance Holdings," I said softly, adjusting my suit jacket. "But... I'd like to drop by the house and see Amelia this evening. Only if you're okay with it."Aria didn't answer. She stood behind her desk, her dark eyes fixed on mine, her expression completely unreadable. She didn't say yes, but she didn't say no, either. She simply held my gaze in absolute, quiet stillness.In our world, that silence was as much of a permission as I was going to get. "I'll see you tonight, Aria," I murmured.I turned on my heel and walked out of the office, the heavy mahogany doors clicking shut behind me. Anthony was standing guard right outside, his jaw set, his sharp eyes scanning the hallway.He gave me a sharp nod as I passed, and I returned it, knowing Aria was in capable hands.Dominic was waiting for me near the executive elevators, holding his phone to his ear.The moment he saw my face, he ended the call and fell into step beside me. "Older Vance is out of the building," Dominic reported in a low, even tone as the elevator doors slid open. "He tried calling his legal team from the lobby, but Victor Sterling’s team has already frozen their major assets. The old man is ruined.""Good," I growled, stepping into the elevator as the doors slid shut. "What about Julian?"Dominic's expression darkened. "He left Vance Enterprises shortly after his father confronted him. Our street informants spotted his car heading toward the penthouses, but he didn't stay long. He's on the move, boss. And he's desperate."I stared at my reflection in the elevator mirror, my eyes turning as cold and unyielding as steel."Let him run," I said softly. "Make sure the perimeter around Aria's house is doubled. If Julian so much as breathes near my family tonight... he won't make it to sunrise.”

Chapter 258