Sweet Hatred-Chapter 458: private investigator

KAEL

I stepped onto the balcony and answered the call from my head of security.

"Talk to me," I said, keeping my voice low.

"All clear at the manor, sir. Teams are positioned. No unusual activity detected at any of the properties."

"Good. Keep rotating patrols. I want eyes on every entrance, every access point. No gaps."

"Understood, sir. Also... the jeweler arrived at your suite about twenty minutes ago. He’s waiting with the ring designs as you requested."

The engagement ring.

I’d commissioned it days ago, working with one of the best artisans in the city to create something perfect for Aria.

Through the open door of the kitchen, I could see Sylas approaching Aria. See the way her expression shifted to concern as he spoke.

"Tell him to get comfortable," I said, my attention fixed on them. "Might be a while."

"Will do, sir."

I ended the call but didn’t move from my position.

Couldn’t stop watching as Sylas said something that made Aria’s face soften with sympathy.

Then he pulled her into his arms.

Jealousy flared hot and immediate in my chest.

Not panic. Not fear that she’d choose him over me, she was mine and I was hers.

But watching another man hold her like that, watching him bury his face in her neck like he was trying to memorize her scent, ignited something possessive and territorial that I couldn’t quite suppress.

My jaw clenched as I watched him pull back slightly, looking down at her stomach with an expression of longing and resignation.

Watched her hand come up to stroke his hair with obvious affection.

Mine, something primal in me growled. She’s mine.

Then he kissed her forehead, chaste and final and stepped back.

I forced myself to take a slow breath, loosening the tension in my shoulders.

She chose me.

That was all that mattered.

I was about to go back inside when I saw Sylas head to my direction.

His eyes met mine, and for a moment we just stared at each other.

Two men who loved the same woman.

"Don’t gawk too much at my woman," I said, my voice edged with irritation I didn’t bother hiding. "You should learn where your place is."

His expression hardened. "I don’t care what you think."

He moved closer, his gaze narrowing with barely controlled emotion.

"If you mess up," he said quietly, dangerously, "I won’t hesitate to steal her back."

The threat hung in the air between us.

I should have been angry. Should have warned him to back off, to stay away from what was mine.

Instead, I smirked.

"I’d like to see you try."

His jaw clenched, and for a second I thought he might actually take a swing at me.

But then something in his expression shifted. Resignation settling over the anger.

"Yeah," he said, his voice bitter. "I bet you would."

He looked back at Aria, who was helping Olivia clean up.

"She’s happy with you," he said finally. "That’s the only reason I’m not fighting harder."

"Good."

"But the second that changes—"

"It won’t."

He held my gaze for another long moment, then nodded once.

"Make sure it doesn’t."

He went back inside without another word, returning to the party with forced cheerfulness.

I stayed on the balcony for another minute, letting the cold air cool the possessive heat still simmering in my chest.

She was mine.

And I was never letting her go.

The party wound down gradually over the next hour.

Kaleb fell asleep on the couch, exhausted from excitement. Lily dozed in Olivia’s arms. Michael actually helped clean up without being asked.

Ash left with Sylas who gave Aria one final hug and avoiding eye contact with me entirely.

Then it was our turn to leave.

Aria stood in the middle of her apartment, surrounded by birthday decorations and the remnants of celebration, looking exhausted but glowing with happiness.

"Ready to go home?" I asked.

She nodded, smiling softly. "God, yes."

The drive back to the hotel was quiet.

Aria sat beside me with her head resting against the window, eyes half-closed, a small smile playing at her lips.

Perfect. Peaceful. Mine.

When we reached the suite, I helped her out of the car and into the elevator.

She leaned heavily against me as we rode up, her weight warm and trusting.

"Thank you," she murmured. "For today. For everything."

"You don’t have to thank me."

"Yes, I do. You made my birthday perfect."

I kissed the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. "Good."

Inside the suite, I guided her to the bedroom.

She sat on the edge of the bed, fumbling with her shoes.

"Let me," I said, kneeling in front of her.

I removed her shoes carefully. Then her socks. Her hands came up to help with her shirt but I gently pushed them aside.

I undressed her slowly... shirt, pants... until she was sitting there in just her underwear, watching me with heavy-lidded eyes.

"Bath?" I asked.

"Please."

I went to the bathroom and started filling the tub, adding bath oil that would help her relax.

When I came back, she was still sitting exactly where I’d left her, looking half-asleep already.

"Come on, baby."

I helped her stand and walk to the bathroom, supporting her weight.

She stepped into the tub with a grateful moan, sinking into the water.

"Oh my God, this is perfect."

I sat on the edge, watching her settle with her eyes closed.

"Want me to wash your hair?"

"Mmm. Yes please."

I grabbed the shampoo and worked it through her hair carefully, my fingers massaging her scalp the way she liked.

She made soft sounds of contentment that went straight through me.

After rinsing the shampoo away, I helped her out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel.

I’d already laid out pajamas on the bed... soft cotton pants and one of my shirts.

She dressed slowly, her movements languid with exhaustion.

But when she looked up at me, there was heat in her eyes despite the tiredness.

"Kael..."

"Yes?"

She moved closer, her hands sliding up my chest. "Come to bed with me."

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

Steven Chen: I’m at the suite with the information. Downstairs in the lobby.

The investigator I’d hired to dig up on my father’s accidents.

I’d been waiting for this update all week.

"I have some business to finish," I said reluctantly. "I’ll be back soon."

Aria’s expression shifted to something more determined. She pressed closer, rising on her toes to kiss my jaw.

"Business can wait," she murmured against my skin.

"Aria—"

She kissed my throat. My collarbone. Her hands sliding lower.

"I want you now."

Christ.

My hands found her hips automatically, gripping tight.

"Baby, I really need to—"

She kissed me properly then, deep and hungry, and I felt my resolve cracking completely.

When she pulled back, her eyes were dark with desire.

"Please?"

I groaned, resting my forehead against hers.

"When I come back," I promised, my voice rough with want, "I’ll give you everything you want. Everything. I promise."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

I kissed her again... once, twice, three times, each one harder to pull away from than the last.

My hands slid down to her ass, pulling her flush against me so she could feel exactly what she was doing to me.

She made a small sound of satisfaction.

"Don’t be long," she whispered against my lips.

"I won’t."

One more kiss. Then another.

Finally, reluctantly, I forced myself to step back.

"Get in bed. I’ll be back before you know it."

She pouted but obeyed, climbing under the covers and watching me with those dark, wanting eyes.

I made myself leave the bedroom, closing the door softly behind me.