Just My Hockey Roommate’s Filthy Desires by Esther Pen novel Chapter 309

Chapter 309

ARIA’S POV

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The morning air inside the master suite was cold, heavy with a thick, suffocating silence that made every breath feel like a chore.

Brandon stood by the tall arched windows, staring out into the misty courtyard below. He had not slept a single minute since returning from the industrial district last night.

His custom suit jacket hung limp over the back of the plush velvet armchair, his crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the rigid, unyielding tension locked in his neck and shoulders.

I sat on the edge of the large bed, quietly watching him as I fastened the thin gold strap of my wristwatch. The emerald–cut diamond on my left hand glinted faintly under the dim morning light, a sharp, brilliant contrast to the dark, invisible wall Brandon had built around himself overnight.

“Brandon,” I said softly, breaking the stillness. “You haven’t said three words since you stepped back into this house.”

Brandon did not turn around immediately. He took a slow, heavy breath, his hands clasped firmly behind his back in a rigid military stance he only assumed when he was bracing for an absolute disaster.

“The security team has been doubled,” Brandon said, his voice flat, raspy, and entirely devoid of warmth. “Starting today, no one enters or leaves the estate grounds without Dominic’s direct authorization. I have already instructed Clara to keep Amelia home from school for the next few weeks.”

A cold prickle of alarm rippled down my spine. I stood up from the bed, smoothing the skirt of my tailored cream dress suit, and walked slowly toward him.

“What do you mean, keep Amelia home?” I asked, stopping a few feet away from his side. “Amelia has her routine, Brandon. She has her mid–term project at the academy this week. She was so excited about it yesterday.”

“It is not safe,” Brandon replied firmly, finally turning his head to look down at me. His dark eyes were bloodshot, rimmed with deep shadows of exhaustion and a raw, terrifying guilt that burned like an open wound.

“Gabriel is in the city, Aria. You have no idea what that man is capable of when he sets his mind on destruction.”

“I know you are trying to protect us,” I reasoned gently, reaching out to place my hand against his forearm. His muscles were locked as hard as steel under my palm.

“But you cannot simply lock us away in a golden cage every time a shadow from the past appears. My father worked his entire life to build his company, Brandon. That business is his legacy, and I am running it. I have three major executive board meetings scheduled today that I cannot cancel.”

Brandon’s jaw clenched so tightly a muscle leaped along his sharp jawline. “Your father’s company can wait. Your safety cannot.”

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My Hockey Roommate’s Filthy Desires

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“No, Brandon,” I said, my voice quiet but laced with an unshakeable strength that made him pause. “I love you with all my heart, and I know the guilt you are carrying over Gabriel is tearing you apart. But I will not abandon my father’s memory, and I will not let Amelia live in constant terror behind stone walls. We survived Arthur Vance, we survived Leonie, and we will survive this. We must live our lives.”

Brandon stared down at me, his chest rising and falling in slow, rigid breaths. For several long seconds, a fierce battle raged openly in his dark eyes, the terrifying, ruthless Phantom Don warring directly against the man who loved me more than life itself.

“A compromise then,” Brandon rasped, his large hand coming up to gently cup the side of my face, his thumb tracing my cheekbone with desperate tenderness.

“Amelia goes to school, but she travels in an armored vehicle with two of Marcus’s top tactical officers disguised as school staff. You go to your office, but Dominic will have four plainclothes men stationed on your floor, and Antonio will personally lead your escort detail.”

“I can live with that,” I murmured, leaning my face into his warm palm and placing a soft, lingering kiss against his wrist. “Thank you for trusting me.”

An hour later, the estate was a hive of quiet, disciplined activity. The soft murmur of security radios hummed in the background as tactical guards in dark suits moved efficiently across the marble hallways.

I stood in the grand foyer, watching Clara help Amelia zip up her soft pink coat. Amelia’s bright yellow backpack was slung over her shoulders, her small face glowing with pure excitement as she chatted happily about her school art project.

“Remember to listen to Clara today, sweetie,” I reminded her, kneeling down to straighten the collar of her

coat.

“I will, Mama,” Amelia promised, her little arms wrapping tightly around my neck for a warm, fragrant hug. “Clara said we get to paint trees today.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I smiled, kissing her forehead before standing back up.

Antonio stood near the heavy front doors, holding a sleek black tablet, his eyes constantly scanning the courtyard through the side glass panels. He gave me a subtle, respectful nod as Marcus signaled that the motorcade was fully prepped near the stone fountain.

I watched Amelia walk out hand–in–hand with Clara, surrounded by four discreet, highly trained security guards.

Seeing her leave for school brought a wave of quiet relief to my chest. Brandon was terrified, but keeping her life normal was the greatest protection we could give her spirit.

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