Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 186

**Chapter 186**

**Aria’s POV**

As Grayson strode purposefully towards the exit, the atmosphere crackled with tension.

“Rhys, why are you still lingering?” Alpha Thalira’s voice cut through the air, urging him on with an edge of impatience.

Rhys frowned, casting a fleeting glance my way, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion. After a moment’s hesitation, he rose from his seat, his resolve solidifying, and followed Grayson out the door.

I remained rooted in place, my heart racing as I clenched my fists tightly. A wave of uncertainty washed over me. Deep down, I didn’t genuinely believe Grayson would harm Rhys, let alone take his life, yet the gnawing worry wouldn’t leave me.

After all, Rhys had become my sole ally in this tumultuous world, and he had found himself on Grayson’s bad side solely because of my actions.

A surge of urgency propelled me forward, and I dashed after them.

Outside, the cars that Alpha Thalira had arranged were waiting, gleaming in the fading light. Grayson leaned casually against one of the car doors, his arms crossed, gaze fixed on the building as if he had anticipated my every move.

When he caught sight of me rushing out, a chilling smirk crept onto his lips—cold, knowing, and laced with anger.

I approached him, determination fueling my words. “Keep everyone else out of this. This is between you and me.”

His piercing gaze sent a shiver down my spine. “You care about him a lot,” he remarked, a hint of menace lacing his voice.

I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. “Rhys and I are family, alright? Everything I said about being interested in him… it was all a ruse. I was merely using him to get to you. Nothing ever happened between us.”

“Too late,” he replied, his tone flat and unyielding.

Pushing off the car, he straightened, his towering figure casting a long shadow over me, enveloping me in an oppressive aura. I felt my breath hitch, caught in the intensity of his presence.

“I believed you back then. If you want him to remain unharmed, you’d better comply with my demands,” he stated coldly, the threat hanging heavy in the air.

“What do you want from me?” I spat, frustration bubbling within me.

“Get in the car,” he commanded.

A sharp breath escaped my lips as I rolled my eyes, turning to head towards another vehicle. Rhys stood beside it, concern etched on his face as he watched me approach.

He opened the back door for me, a silent offer of support.

But before I could step inside, a large hand seized my elbow from behind.

Grayson yanked me back with a roughness that caught me off guard. I gasped in surprise as he flung the car door open and shoved me inside, my instincts kicking in as I attempted to leap back out, but he swiftly slammed the door shut.

Ignoring my protests, he turned to the driver, barking, “Drive. Into the woods.”

“Don’t go into the woods!” I shouted at the driver, panic rising in my chest. “That’s not where we’re supposed to go!”

Without a word, Grayson pressed a button, and a screen rose, effectively severing our connection to the front seats.

I glanced back through the rear window in a frenzy. Rhys was sprinting after our car, shouting something I couldn’t quite make out, but he quickly fell behind, the distance between us widening.

Suddenly, a firm grip on my chin forced me to face Grayson once more.

His cold gray eyes bore into mine, a tempest swirling within them. In moments of anger, he radiated a power that made nearly everyone around him tremble. I remembered our first encounter, how I had watched him from a distance, torn between admiration and fear.

But that fear had dissipated, leaving behind only disappointment and simmering anger.

“Are you out of your mind?” I snapped, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my insides.

“We need to talk,” he stated, his voice a low growl.

“We can talk at the packhouse. Did you really have to resort to kidnapping me?” I retorted, my irritation flaring.

“If I hadn’t used that cousin you care about, you would still be dodging me like I’m a disease, wouldn’t you?” His tone was laced with frustration.

The car plunged deeper into the woods before finally halting. The driver opened the door and promptly vanished into the trees, leaving us in an eerie solitude.

Grayson and I faced each other beneath the looming trees. I crossed my arms defensively, maintaining a safe distance, my eyes narrowed in suspicion.

He wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter. “What were you doing in Tasmin’s office last night?”

“That’s none of your business,” I shot back, defiance surging within me.

A smirk danced on his lips. “Your call for help ended up on my phone. Still none of my business?”

“That message was meant for Rhys! I accidentally sent it to you. I didn’t want you there at all,” I said, my sarcasm dripping like venom.

His expression darkened, jaw tightening as he processed my words. I held his gaze defiantly. “Grandmother wants us to keep our distance in public. I agree with her. I don’t want people constantly reminding me that I was your mistress.”

“You were my damn girlfriend!” he growled, frustration evident in his voice.

I couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. Girlfriend? It had never truly felt like that. “Whatever it was, it’s a past I wish to forget. I don’t want to be associated with you in that way anymore. I need to rebuild my image, and that means you need to stay away from me.”

“And how’s that going for you? This ‘image reformation’?” He crossed his arms, a challenging look in his eyes. “You were in Tasmin’s office looking for something to take her down, right? You want to ruin Alpha Thalira’s other daughters so your mother, Lady Quentina, can ascend to Alpha. Then you’d be the rightful heir.”

I was done living at his mercy. This time, I would earn everything on my own.

“I don’t need updates on you and Isla. I couldn’t care less,” I replied coldly. “And you don’t owe me anything. Just stay away from me. That’s my only request.”

His gaze darkened, shadows flickering across his features.

I could sense his pride holding him back from pushing me further. As expected, after a brief silence, he turned and made his way back to the car.

The driver took us back along the route we had come. Rhys was already waiting at the edge of the forest, his expression unreadable. He didn’t pry into what Grayson and I had discussed. Instead, he launched into a detailed tour of the city, as per Alpha Thalira’s orders.

The tour quickly devolved into a tense ordeal.

Grayson’s foul mood was palpable, his aura repelling everyone around him. He fired off sharp, impossible questions intermittently, leaving the entire team on edge, trembling under his scrutiny.

When we finally concluded a tour of a factory and settled down for a coffee break, I could almost feel the collective sigh of relief from everyone.

I treated myself to a large soy latte. As I turned around, I was surprised to find Rhys standing right behind me, a wry smile playing on his lips.

“Alpha Grayson really despises me now, doesn’t he?” he remarked with a casual shrug.

“Well, he’s not exactly a fan of mine either,” I replied, a hint of mischief in my tone. “Anyway, I wanted to ask you something. What should I do with that satellite photo? Maybe I should just show it to Alpha Thalira, tell her the truth about the war, and put an end to this.”

“Absolutely not,” he replied, shaking his head with conviction. “You’re thinking too simplistically, Aria. One photograph is nowhere near enough to take Tasmin down. Acting recklessly will only backfire on you. You need more evidence… ideally a witness, someone close to her.”

Someone close?

I was about to dismiss the idea, convinced that everyone around Tasmin was fiercely loyal to her tyranny.

But then a thought struck me.

“There is someone!” I whispered, excitement bubbling within me. “I overheard something in her office… she had a lover at a private club named Lance. Tasmin tortured an omega named Sherry because Lance fell for her. I bet Lance despises Tasmin with a passion. We can use this!”

“Now that’s a promising lead. You’ll likely need to gain access to that club to speak with Lance,” he said, his interest piqued.

“Well, can you get me in?” I asked eagerly.

But he shook his head, disappointment creeping in. “That club is ultra-exclusive and renowned worldwide. Only the most powerful individuals can gain entry. It’s a place where all sorts of illicit activities occur. But unfortunately, I don’t have a membership.”

My heart sank. Was this promising lead already dead? But then Rhys lifted his chin, motioning for me to look behind me.

“You have someone else who can get you in. Didn’t you just say Alpha Grayson is very willing to help?”