ARIA'S POV
I turned and glared at the old fool, my pulse hammering in my ears.
A girl like me?
The nerve of this man, thinking he could speak to me like that.
I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to keep my voice steady, but I wasn’t about to let him intimidate me.
“And what will you do if I do?” I shot back. I could feel the weight of his stare, the way he was looking at me like I was something to be conquered.
His smile widened, a sick, predatory grin that made my skin crawl. “You really don’t want to find out, honey.”
I quickly realized where this was heading, and fear began to rise inside me.
This wasn’t just an overconfident man trying to make a pass at me—this was something darker, something far more dangerous. I needed to get away from him, and fast.
I took a ste
