The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 45: Love Versus Evil

Aria’s POV

The first thing I noticed was the throbbing pain on my head. My wrists burned and when I tried to move, I realized they were zip-tied behind my back, tight enough that my fingers were already going numb.

I forced my eyes open,I was alone in a small room with concrete walls that was illuminated by a single bed lamp that stood at the far end of the room. There were no windows and ventilation was left to the mercy of an old rickety fan. A metal door that marked the entrance to the room looked heavy and old.

I was sitting on a cold metal chair, my ankles also bound to the chair.

I tried to wiggle myself from it but in no time, multiple footsteps echoed outside the door.

The door creaked open and Ethan stepped inside.

He looked different. He wore dark jeans and a black shirt. His hair was messy with his eyes looking cold and vicious.

"Hello, Aria," he said softly, closing the door behind him. "Miss me?"

I kept my voice steady. "Not particularly."

He chuckled and walked closer, stopping a few feet away. "Still got that fire. That’s good cause you’re going to need it."

"Where am I?"

"Somewhere safe for now." He crouched so we were eye level. "You know why you’re here, don’t you?"

"Because Lucian beat you to your game and now you’re throwing a tantrum like a child."I mocked.

Ethan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Cute but no. You’re here because your husband thinks he can take everything from me and walk away smiling. He stole my future and my woman." His gaze raked over me. "So I’m taking something from him."

I held his stare. "If you hurt me, he will end you."

"He’s already trying." Ethan stood up and began pacing slowly. "He is on his way with ten million dollars. I told him to come alone but I’m not stupid. I know he won’t and he’ll bring his dogs. That’s why you’re not at the drop site. You’re the insurance policy."

I tested the zip ties behind my back. It was tight, but not impossible to lose . If I could find something sharp...

"What do you want, Ethan?" I asked, keeping him talking.

"Simple. I want Voss Enterprises so Lucian will be on his knees and for you to watch while I take it all." He stopped pacing and looked at me. "You were supposed to be mine, Aria. Before he turned you against me ."

"Can you listen to yourself Ethan?You divorced me so I was never yours."

He let out a crooked laugh. "You were Aria until he flashed money and power coupled with that fake charm. But I know the truth,you’re just like me. Ambitious and hungry for power. You married him for the empire. Admit it."

"I married him because you pushed me out and he welcomed me and saved me from the debt that could have swallowed me. He showed me love and acceptance while you were out partying and banging my secretary" I replied quietly.

Ethan’s expression darkened. He stepped closer and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

"You think love will save you? Love is what got you here and it’s what is going to get your precious husband killed tonight."

I jerked my head away. "Then why am I still alive?"

"Because I need him to suffer first." He released my chin and straightened. "He’ll come for you and when he does, my men will be waiting. If he behaves, maybe I’ll let you both live. If not..." He shrugged. "Well, accidents happen."

I kept my face blank, but inside my mind was racing.

"How many men do you have?" I asked, trying to sound defeated.

As expected he began to boast "Enough. Six here with me and more at the drop site. Don’t worry darling,you’re well guarded."

He turned toward the door. "I’ll be back in a few hours. Think about what you’re going to say to Lucian when he arrives. Maybe beg him to save you or tell him it’s all his fault." He paused at the door. "Or rather just scream. I like it when you scream."

The door slammed shut behind him,the lock clicking

I let out a shaky breath. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

If only I could rock the zip-tie hard enough, maybe snap one of the welds or find a sharp edge.

I started shifting my weight, trying to tip the chair sideways without making too much noise. My ribs protested but I ignored the pain.

"Come on... come on..."

There was a small crack and the leg joint loosened slightly.

I kept going. Minutes passed as sweat beaded on my forehead and my wrists became raw, then there were footsteps again and the door opened.

A masked guard stepped carrying a bottle of water. He set it on the floor near me.

"Drink," he grunted.

I looked up at him. "Untie one hand so I can actually drink it."

He hesitated, then pulled a knife and cut the tie on my right wrist. "Don’t try anything stupid."

I rubbed my wrist, took the bottle and drank slowly. While I did, I scanned him – he had a holstered gun on his right hip with some keys on a ring.

He retied my wrist tighter than before when I was done and left without another word.

I waited until the footsteps faded, then went back to work on the chair leg.

The chair leg snapped with a small metallic ping.

I froze, listening but there were no footsteps.

I picked up one of the broken sharp ends and started sawing at the zip tie on my left wrist.

It was slow and painful. The plastic bit into my skin but I kept going.

The zip tie finally gave way and my left hand was free.

I quickly cut the right one, then the ankles.

I stood on shaky legs and slowly made my way to the door.

It was locked of course.

I gripped the broken chair piece like a knife and pressed myself against the wall beside the door.

When the guard came back next time, I’d be ready.

After a while,two sets of footsteps approached.The door opened and Ethan stepped in first, followed by the guard.

He saw the empty chair and froze.

"What the—"

I lunged.

I drove the jagged metal into the guard’s side — not deep enough to kill, but enough to make him scream and stumble. He grabbed for his gun but before he could swing it at me,I slammed my elbow into his face.

Ethan reached for me.

I spun and slashed at his arm.

He hissed in pain, blood welling up.

"You little bitch—"

I bolted for the door.

He caught my hair, yanking me back which accidently led to me driving the shard backward into his thigh.

He roared and let go.

I ran.

The hallway was long and dimly lit with doors on both sides. I picked left, sprinting despite the pain in my ribs.

Behind me, Ethan was shouting. "Find her! Now!"

Footsteps thundered.

I reached a stairwell, took the steps two at a time, ignoring the fire in my side.

There was a heavy metal door at the top of the stairs.

I shoved it open and finally,I was outside.

It was then that I realized I was in an abandoned industrial lot with a chain-link fence, weeds and old film equipment scattered like skeletons.

I ran toward the fence.

A gunshot cracked behind me but I kept running.

The fence was tall so I grabbed the links, started climbing.

I was almost over when hands grabbed my ankle and yanked me down causing me to hit the ground hard.

Ethan stood over me, breathing heavily with blood on his arm.

"You really thought you could run?" he panted.

I spat blood. "I still can."

He raised his gun but suddenly sirens began to blare from a distance.

His head snapped up.

"Fuck."

He grabbed my arm, hauling me up.

"We’re moving. Now."

I fought, but he was stronger.

As he dragged me toward a waiting black SUV, I caught one last glimpse of the night sky.

Lucian,please find me.

***

Lucian’s POV

I arrived at Griffith Observatory where Ethan had scheduled the drop-off at 8:49pm

The upper lot was empty except for two black SUVs at opposite ends.

Ethan’s men fanned out.

I stepped out of the Audi with the duffel bags containing the cash in both hands.

One of the men came forward and flashed his phone in my face. Ethan was on video call.

"Where is the?" he asked.

I tossed the bags forward.

His men checked them.

"It’s all here," one called.

Ethan smiled on the screen. "Good. Now kneel, Voss. Prove you’re willing to beg for her."

I didn’t kneel.

Instead, I raised my hand — it was the signal and gunfire erupted from the shadows.

Mike’s team moved in leading to chaos. One of Ethan’s men dropped while another screamed.

Ethan’s face twisted on the screen. "You son of a bitch—"

I drew my Glock and advanced.

A captured man on the ground gasped as Mike pressed a boot to his neck.

"Where is she?" I demanded.

The man coughed. "Paramount lot... Soundstage 27. They’re moving her now"

I looked at Mike.

"Go," I said.

I ran for the Audi and floored it down the hill.

"Hold on love,I’m coming"