Chapter 2

Chloe stood still staring into the garden. Her mind was somewhere else. Her fingers were wrapped tightly around the glass of the window frame like it was the only thing that was holding her together. The city skyline, where she used to live was right in front of her. It looked cold and uncaring like it did not even notice that she was gone.

She did not hear him come into the room. She only felt his body against her back smelled his scent and then his hands were on her. His hands were not soft they were not gentle. They were like he owned her.

One arm went around her waist pulling her back against his chest. The other arm settled above her ribs his fingers spread out like he was claiming her. "Five years " his voice was rough against her neck, his breath hot on her skin. "And you did not even say goodbye, Chloe?"

She froze. "Ayden " she whispered, her voice shaking. "Let me go."

He did not move. He leaned in closer his lips brushing against her ear. "No you do not get to disappear. Then come back into my life like nothing is wrong."

Her jaw was clenched tight. "I had to leave " she said.

"Really?" he cut her off spinning her around to face him. His face was in front of hers his eyes dark and hard to read. They were burning with emotions that he did not want to talk about. His grip on her did not loosen.

"You did not have to leave " he said, looking into her eyes. "You chose to leave. You chose to run from what we had."

Her eyes were welling up with tears. She blinked them away. ". What did we have, Ayden? A perfect lie wrapped up in memories? We were never meant to be and we both know why."

His eyebrows came together. He did not say anything.

Chloe took a breath trying to calm her voice. "I left because I saw the truth."

At that Ayden stopped moving. She watched as the emotions in his eyes shifted, got darker and then disappeared behind a mask of silence.

"The letter said it all " Chloe whispered, stepping back from him. "It said you needed someone stronger someone who would not hold you back. Someone like Ayla."

Aydens jaw got tight. Chloes voice cracked. "Ayla said she wanted you to build your empire not be weighed down by a woman like me.. I believed her."

He stepped back his eyes locked on hers. His chest was. Falling with short controlled breaths.

Chloe looked away her heart pounding. "I was hurt, torn apart. I had no one to care for me or love me."

He stayed quiet like a storm was brewing inside him. Then his voice got lower harsher. "You really thought I would not find you?"

She did not respond.

Ayden stared at her for a time. Then, without saying a word he. Walked out of the room.

Chloe stood frozen in place until she heard the heavy door shut behind him. It was like something inside her had broken.

Then slowly her knees gave out. She fell to the marble floor her sobs echoing through the empty penthouse. Her tears were falling fast and hard each one carrying the weight of five years of pain, regret and longing.

The feeling of being alone was overwhelming her. She was hugging herself her heart breaking over again.

The man she loved was not listening to her anymore.. She was not sure if he ever would.

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The rooftop lounge of Noir, a bar was wrapped in soft golden light and jazz music. It was like a world. Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass the city was alive and pulsing.. Inside the room the air was thick with something heavier.

Ayden Hunter sat on the leather couch looking like a man made of stone. His frame was relaxed his posture effortless,. His presence was chilling. His black dress shirt was perfectly pressed his silver cufflinks catching the light and not a hair was out of place.

He was holding a glass of whiskey between his fingers, untouched, like the rest of the world was not worth his time.

Calvin, leaning on the arm of the chair across from him was the one brave enough to speak. "She's back " Calvin said, swirling his drink. ". That's not good."

Ayden did not look up stared into his drink like there were answers there.

"I'm serious " Calvin continued, his eyes narrowing. "Chloe coming back it changes everything. You can't marry Ayla now and your moms wish..."

Ayden raised his glass took a sip and then put it down.

Calvin scoffed, irritated by Aydens behavior. "She abandoned you when things got tough ran away when you needed her the most. She caused you much pain but Ayla was there for you through everything. She never left your side. And now Chloe is back you want to hurt Aylas feelings?"

Still Ayden did not react.

"She's not the girl you left behind Ayden. Whatever you think you feel it's not real."

"I do not feel anything " Ayden said finally his voice quiet but firm.

Calvin exhaled. "You really want me to believe that?"

Aydens gaze shifted to him cold and hard to read. "You do not have to believe anything."

Calvin stood up pacing. "I know the way you looked at her. That was not nothing.. Do not act like you did not plan her return. Your men picked her up the second she crossed the city limits. How sure are you that she did not plan it? I'm pretty sure she's back because she heard about you."

"I let her walk in " Ayden said. "Not because I wanted her. Because I needed to know why she came back."

". Now that you know?" Calvin asked.

Aydens fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the glass. "I do not know anything yet. I will."

Calvin frowned, concern taking over his tone. "This is not some girl, Ayden. This is Chloe, the one who ran away without saying goodbye.. Now she shows up five years later? She wants to use you and you are too in love to see it."

Ayden stood up. Walked to the glass wall his hands in his pockets watching the city.

"Something brought her back " he said coolly. "I intend to find out what."

Calvin walked up beside him lowering his voice. ". What if its you?"

Aydens jaw flexed but his tone did not change. "Then I'll make sure she regrets it."

Calvin was quiet for a moment. Then he asked, ". Ayla?"

"I will know when it's the right time " Ayden replied.

"Your grandfather wants the engagement sealed before the end of the month."

Ayden did not flinch. "Then he can marry her."

Calvin blinked. "Ayden..."

"I do not want Ayla. I never did."

"Yeah? Well Ayla wants you. She's the choice for marriage she truly loves you."

Ayden turned away from the window. "Then she'll have to learn to be disappointed."

The silence returned, heavy with everything that was not said.

Then Ayden added, more to himself than anyone "If Chloe thinks she can come back, into this city without consequences she's mistaken."

Calvin watched him for a moment.

". If you really did not care you would not be saying that."

Aydens expression did not change. His eyes remained cold composed. He left, leaving Calvin alone in the room. Calvin stood up poured himself a glass and looked down at the city. He drank his drink. "He is not going to mess up my plans...."

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