CHAPTER 16
The leading man's gaze lingered on Arianna, his expression a mix of appraisal and amusement. "Well, well, look at what we have here," he drawled, his tone dripping with insolence. "Seems like we stumbled upon a little beauty. Come along with us, darling."
As he spoke, he flexed his hands, the sound of cracking knuckles punctuating his words.
"Such a delicate face," he mused, a smirk playing on his lips.
"We wouldn't want to mar such perfection. It would break our hearts to see you harmed."
His men chuckled, their laughter tinged with a hint of malice.
Arianna halted in her tracks, her senses on high alert as she assessed the group before her.
Each man exuded an aura of danger, their muscular frames and inked skin marking them unmistakably as members of the underworld.
As Arianna attempted to break free, the leader's grip tightened around her wrist, his voice a menacing whisper that sent shivers down her spine.
"Don't test our patience, sweetheart. It won't end well for you. Come willingly, or we'll make you regret it."
Feeling trapped and vulnerable, Arianna resigned herself to the grim reality unfolding before her.
As Arianna found herself ensnared in this ominous plot upon her return to her homeland, she couldn't help but wonder about the mastermind behind it all. Who would dare to disrupt her homecoming in such a malevolent manner?
With a forced smile masking her fear, she nodded in acquiescence.
"Okay, okay," she muttered, her voice trembling slightly.
The car came to a halt outside the foreboding facade of the Dark Room. Arianna followed her captors silently, her mind racing with a whirlwind of dread and uncertainty.
Inside the dimly lit interior of the clubhouse, Arianna was ushered through the maze of corridors until they reached a secluded chamber. With a sense of foreboding gnawing at her, she braced herself as they shoved her into the room, the heavy door sealing her fate within its confines.
Seated at a booth in the dimly lit bar, Zach Summer's gaze wandered idly until it fell upon a striking figure, a sense of déjà vu tugging at his memory.
With a sudden jolt of recognition, he leaned forward, unable to tear his eyes away from the familiar face that had captured his attention.
In a swift motion, he gently nudged aside the woman beside him, his focus solely fixed on the intriguing sight before him.
Ignoring the startled protest of his companion, he nudged John Yates, who was lost in his own thoughts, a sense of urgency coloring his voice as he pointed towards the captivating figure across the room.
"John, look over there! Isn't that Arianna Johnson?"
As John's gaze followed Zach's pointed finger, he couldn't suppress a gasp of surprise at the sight of Arianna amidst the cluster of men.
His brow furrowed in concern as he scanned the scene, his mind racing to make sense of the unexpected scenario unfolding before them.
"It's definitely her," John affirmed, his voice tinged with worry.
Zach's expression mirrored his friend's concern as he pondered the puzzling situation.
"Why would Arianna be here at this hour, surrounded by so many men?" he mused aloud, his eyes narrowing in contemplation.
"Typically, women come here to allure wealthy and charming suitors. And isn't Arianna married to Xander?"
Xander, John, and Zach shared a bond forged in the fires of childhood, a connection that had withstood the test of time. From the earliest days of their memories, they had been inseparable, their friendship standing as an unyielding pillar of support and camaraderie.
As a realization dawned upon Zach, his hand slammed down on the table with a resounding thud, a mix of astonishment and indignation flashing across his features.
"Unbelievable! Arianna manipulated Xander into marriage, and yet she has the audacity to betray him?" His voice dripped with contempt as he shook his head in disbelief.
With a muttered curse under his breath, Zach retrieved his phone with determined resolve.
"I'm informing Xander immediately. He deserves to know and deal with this deceit firsthand."
**************
In the midst of a busy day at the CEO's office of King Group of Industries, Xander's phone repeatedly buzzed with incoming calls from Zach. Irritated, he initially ignored them, focused on the document before him.
After the persistent ringing, Xander finally relented, answering with a hint of annoyance in his tone.
Xander's patience wore thin as Zach's call interrupted his busy schedule. "Zach, I'm pressed for time. You've got 30 seconds, so get to the point before I end the call." His voice held a note of urgency, conveying the importance of brevity in their conversation.
With a sense of urgency, Zach quickly relayed the unsettling news.
"Arianna was spotted at the Dark Room with a group of men," he summarized, his words laden with concern.
Xander's derisive snort echoed through the silence as he dismissed Zach's concern with a cold indifference.
"Arianna's actions are her own concern, not mine. Don't bring her up to me again," he retorted sharply before abruptly terminating the call, leaving Zach stunned.
As the beeping signal of the disconnected call filled the room, Zach turned to John, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.
"Does Xander truly no longer care about Arianna?" he asked, searching for reassurance in his friend's eyes.
A knowing smile tugged at the edges of John's mouth as he gently squeezed Zach's shoulder, conveying understanding without uttering a word, a silent acknowledgment of the tangled web of feelings enveloping their friend.
