Dating

Chapter 67

1 stepped out of my last class, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. Finals were coming up, and I still hadn’t fully recovered from the brawl with Ava and her minions. My body ached, but I tried to focus on the walk back to my dorm.

Liam had nursed me back to health, never leaving my side for one second, like he promised. His teammates tried to get him back on the rink, but Liam refused. Instead, he told them to practice without him. And somehow, he was able to continue to lead the time.

Finally, after the third day, when he saw that I was regaining my strength and I had assured him that I was strong enough to attend classes, Liam figured that it was okay for me to be on my own again.

The sun was warm, and I was looking forward to having the fresh air clear my head. Even though I had loved every second that I got to spend with Liam, I was also ready to get back to real life. I knew we couldn’t stay cocooned in our little world together, forever.

in a movie. Just as I was really getting lost in thought, a sleek, black car pulled up next to me. It was the kind of car you’d expect to see in a college campus. In a way, it actually looked like a version of that black car that had followed me that time I left mom’s house

not on a

The back window rolled down, revealing a man in a sharp suit and long coat. He looked like he had just stepped off a fashion runway, which made him stand out even more. His hair was salt and pepper and he stared at me intently.

My heart started to beat faster. I turned away from him and started to pick up my pace. Maybe if I pretended that I hadn’t seen him, he would leave me alone. I kept my head down and moved even faster.

The car followed. And then…

“Ella, get in the car,” he said, his voice calm but commanding.

My heart skipped a beat. I glanced around, but the path was strangely empty. Then, two big guys got out of the car, and it was clear that running wasn’t an option. There was no way in hell that I could outrun them. I had to be brave.

I swallowing my fear, I nodded and I got in. The door closed softly behind me, and the car sped off. The inside was all leather and it smelled like money. Lots and lots of money. I looked straight ahead, waiting for him to say something.

Waiting for this strange man to tell me why he had basically kidnapped me.

The man turned to face me, a small, polite smile on his lips. The smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I apologize for the abruptness. It was a little rude of me, wasn’t it!”

I didn’t know if he expected me to respond to his words so I said nothing

He

e continued, “Alas, there are n

matters we need to discuss. My name is Aaron Winslow. I believe you know my son, Liam”

I snapped my head in Aaron Winslow’s direction. Aaron Winslow? Liam’s biological father, Aaron Winslow?

My stomach dropped. This was the man Liam only just found out about, the one who seemed to hold a shadow over his life–I tried to play it cool. “Yes, I know Liam,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “What do you want with me?”

He leaned back, studying me. “I’ve been keeping an eye on you both for a while. I haven’t felt the need to intervene until now. Ella, I’ve heard a lot about you.

My mind raced. What did he want? “If this is about Liam

Her

Dised a hand, silencing me. “This is about you, actually. I’d like to get to know you better. And so, I’m inviting you to a Winslow family banquet. an important event, and I expect you to be there.” Aaron stared at me like I had no choice in the matter.

“A banquet? Why?”

His smile was thin and almost menacing. “Consider this your formal introduction to the family. Dress appropriately. I’ll see you there.”

Before I could respond, the car stopped. The door opened, and I was ushered out onto the sidewalk near my dorm. Aaron’s final words echoed in my ears as the car drove away, leaving me standing there, stunned.

I stumbled back to my dorm, my head spinning. I needed to tell someone, Bursting into the room. I found Monica lounging on her bed. surrounded by textbooks.

“Monica, you won’t believe what just happened,” I blurted out.

She looked up, concern etching her face. “Ella, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I recounted the entire ordeal, from the mysterious car to Aaron Winslow’s cryptic invitation. Monica’s got wiler and wider.

“Ella, this is insane! You better be fucking careful. I don’t trust the Winslows and I definitely don’t trust that man.”

“I know,” I replied, feeling a chill run down my spine. “But what choice do I have? He didn’t exactly give me an option to decline.”

Monica frowned, biting her lip. “You’re right. But you have to tell Liam. He needs to know what’s going on.”

“No, I can’t. I could get the feeling that Las supposed to go alone,” I said, shaking my head.

Monica looked at me, a skeptical look on her face. “Ella, seriously, I don’t like the sound of this. But fine. If you want to go alone, then just do it”

That evening. I stood in front of my closet, trying to decide what to wear. The invitation had specified formal attire, and I knew I had to make a good impression, even if the whole situation felt like a trap.

I pulled out a sleek, black dress that I hoped was formal enough but not too formal. After a moment of hesitation. I decided to go with it, hoping it would be appropriate for whatever awaited me at the banquet

Just as I finished getting ready, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find Liam standing there, dressed casually in sweats and a t–shirt. His

eyes widened when he saw me.

“Ella, where are you going?” he asked, suspicion in his voice.

1 hesitated, knowing that keeping this from him would only make things worse. “Liam, I. I got an invitation. To a Winslow family banquet. By your father.

His expression darkened, his jaw tightening. “What? He’s just trying to pull you into their games, Ella.”

I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “Liam, I don’t have a choice. He didn’t give me one.”

Liam’s eyes darkened even further. “Then I’m coming with you. If he thinks he can manipulate us, he’s got another thing coming

As we headed out of the dorm, my heart pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation. The Winslow family banquet was about to begin, and I had a feeling that this banquet, my first one ever, our first one ever, was going to lead to one hell of a night,

A