Aiden's jaw tightened in frustration. Of course, just as he was about to get a moment alone with Tatum, someone had to pull him away. His lips pressed into a thin line as he followed Vivienne back into the crowded party. The dimly lit room was filled with the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the distant melody of a string quartet, but all of it felt muted compared to the storm brewing in his head.
He was ushered into a private lounge where two men were waiting, their demeanor instantly setting him on edge. Frank Schulz, a man with an unsettling calmness and a reputation as sharp as the suits he wore, lounged in an armchair with a glass of whiskey in hand. Beside him stood Magnus Schulz, his son.
"Mr. Black," Frank greeted smoothly, his voice carrying the kind of weight that demanded attention. "I hope we're not pulling you away from anything too... important." His lips twitched into a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes.
Aiden didn't miss the subtle jab. "I was under the impression this was urgent," he replied evenly, stepping into the room. "What can I do for you, Mr. Schulz?"
Frank gestured to a chair across from him, but Aiden didn't sit. He preferred to stand, maintaining the upper hand, at least in posture. Magnus stepped forward, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as he spoke.
"You've been making waves, Mr. Black," Magnus said, his tone laced with a smugness that made Aiden's fists itch. "Expanding your influence, securing alliances. It's impressive, really. Almost... threatening."
Aiden's brows furrowed slightly, but he kept his expression neutral. "Threatening isn't typically a word I associate with good business."
"Ah, but business is never just business, is it?" Frank interjected, swirling his drink lazily. His gaze was piercing, unrelenting. "It's about control. And control has... complications."
There was a pause, a deliberate stretch of silence that made Aiden's shoulders tense. Then, Frank leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "We've noticed a certain... individual in your orbit. A protector, of sorts. Spirited. Fierce."
Aiden's heart skipped a beat, though he kept his voice steady. "I'm not sure I follow."
"Oh, but you do," Magnus said, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "It's hard not to notice someone like her. Always watching, always guarding. She's good at her job, we'll give her that. And she's incredibly hot."
"Be careful, Mr. Black", Frank interrupted his son. "She's nothing that you're capable of handling."
Aiden felt his fists clench involuntarily. They were talking about Tatum. He could feel it, though the veiled references left him grasping for specifics. "If you have a point, I suggest you make it otherwise you're wasting my time."
Frank's smile widened, though it carried no warmth. "The point, Mr. Black, is that alliances can make you... vulnerable. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, after all."
Aiden's eyes narrowed. The threat was subtle, but it was there. A warning about Tatum, though the exact nature of it eluded him. His mind raced, torn between piecing together their cryptic words and the frustration still simmering from his interrupted moment with her.
"If you dare to lay a finger on that woman" Aiden begun, getting close to Magnus, "I will rip your skin off and feed it to the dogs."
Magnus took a step closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Tick-tock, Mr. Black. Keep an eye on your... assets. You never know who's watching."
Frank waved him off with a chuckle, as if the entire exchange had been a friendly conversation. "Of course. Enjoy the evening, Mr. Black. We'll be in touch."
As Aiden turned to leave, his mind was already racing, the cryptic warnings echoing in his head. His frustration boiled over as he stepped back into the party, scanning the crowd for Tatum. He needed answers, but more than that, he needed to know she was safe.