The clock struck 3:00 AM, and the entire mansion was enveloped in darkness, except for the faint glow from Adrian's study. The dim desk lamp illuminated his face, highlighting his sharp jawline and the cold intensity in his eyes. His fingers drummed lightly on the table as he stared at the encrypted data on his laptop screen, his gaze dark and calculating.
His phone buzzed. A message from Lorenzo flashed:
"Got some info. It's not clean. Call me."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. He clenched his jaw and quickly dialed Lorenzo's number.
"Speak." His voice was low and commanding.
"It's worse than we thought," Lorenzo's voice came in a rushed whisper. "That man... the one who attacked Liana… wasn't a random thug. He's linked to someone from your past. I traced him to... Jonas Marino."
Adrian's grip tightened around the phone. His knuckles turned white. Jonas Marino—the name tasted bitter in his mouth. The man who had once betrayed him, a former ally turned rival, was now targeting Liana?
"I want everything on him. By morning." His voice was ice-cold, sending a chill through Lorenzo.
"Got it, boss."
Adrian ended the call, his eyes flickering with suppressed rage.
---
Meanwhile, in Liana's Room
Liana lay on her bed, the silk sheets tangled around her legs as she twisted and turned. Sweat clung to her skin despite the chilled air. She was trapped in another nightmare—the same one that had been haunting her for years.
Flashes of blood. Screams. A dark figure looming over her.
Her breathing grew labored, and she jolted upright with a gasp. Her heart pounded violently against her chest. She clutched the sheets, trembling.
Her eyes flicked toward the balcony doors. The sheer white curtains billowed softly in the breeze, making her feel vulnerable. She hated the darkness. She hated how exposed it made her feel.
"It's just a dream," she whispered to herself, but her hands still shook.
Suddenly, there was a faint knock at the door. Her breath hitched. She slowly slid off the bed, grabbing the small vase from the nightstand—her only defense.
"Who's there?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.
There was no response. The silence made her pulse quicken. Just as she reached for the handle, the door opened—Adrian stood there, his tall frame dark against the dimly lit hallway. His face was unreadable, but his eyes immediately noticed her trembling hands.
"You're still awake?" His deep voice, though calm, held a note of concern.
Liana let out a shaky breath and lowered the vase. She didn't answer him. She couldn't. Her throat was dry, and her eyes were still wide from the lingering fear of her nightmare.
Without a word, Adrian stepped inside and shut the door behind him. He crossed the room in slow, deliberate steps. The tension in the air was palpable.
"Nightmares again?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the faint rustle of the curtains and the rhythmic ticking of the clock. Then, to her surprise, Adrian stepped closer. His hand slowly reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face.
"You're safe now," he said, his voice low and firm.
Liana stared into his eyes, searching for any trace of deceit, but all she saw was cold sincerity and something else… protectiveness. The way his eyes held hers made her stomach flutter.
"Why do you care?" she asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian's fingers stilled against her cheek. His eyes hardened, and he slowly pulled away. The tenderness in his touch disappeared, replaced by his usual aloofness.
"I don't," he lied smoothly. "I just don't want you losing your mind under my roof."
Liana's chest tightened. She should have known better than to expect warmth from him, yet his cold words still stung.
"Then why are you here?" she challenged, her voice laced with defiance.
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly. For a brief moment, the mask of indifference cracked, and she saw something flicker behind his eyes—anger, frustration… or was it guilt?
But just as quickly, the cold mask returned. He turned sharply and walked toward the door.
"Get some rest," he muttered before leaving the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Liana stared at the closed door, her chest heaving with confusion and frustration. Her fingers still tingled where he had touched her.
---
The Next Morning
The sun was barely up when Adrian arrived at his private gym, his mind clouded with fury. He slammed his fists into the heavy punching bag, channeling the violent storm brewing inside him. Each punch was fueled by rage, frustration, and confusion.
He hated how Liana's presence was unsettling him, making him feel things he didn't want to feel. Weakness. Attachment. He couldn't afford either.
Just then, Lorenzo entered the gym, holding a folder. His face was grim.
"We've got trouble," Lorenzo muttered, handing him the file.
Adrian snatched it and opened it. Photos of Jonas Marino's men, detailed information about their movements, and one particularly disturbing detail—Liana's name circled in red ink.
Adrian's fists clenched. His eyes burned with a predatory fury.
"He's after her," Lorenzo confirmed. "And he's not backing down."
Adrian's jaw tightened. His muscles coiled with barely controlled violence. He glanced at the photo again, his cold eyes glimmering with a dangerous promise.
"If he comes near her again…" he growled, his voice dark and menacing, "I'll tear him apart."
---
Meanwhile, in Liana's Room
Liana stood by the window, staring at the sprawling estate below. She watched the distant figures of the guards moving along the fences. Despite the security around her, she still felt unsafe.
Her mind kept flashing back to Adrian's touch, the way his eyes had softened for a fleeting second before turning cold again.
"Why does he push me away every time I get close?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
But before she could dwell on it, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and froze.
A message from an unknown number:
"You're not safe with him. Leave before it's too late."
Her hands began to tremble as she read the message over and over. Her heart raced, and a sudden wave of fear gripped her.
Her eyes flickered toward the hallway, where Adrian's cold gaze still haunted her thoughts.
Was the message a warning? Or a threat?
But one thing was certain—the danger was getting closer.
---
See you in next chapter