" The deeper she fell, the darker the abyss became…"
---
Scarlett's chest was heaving as she stared into Leo's dark, fiery eyes. Her lips were swollen from his demanding kiss, and her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She could still feel the imprint of his rough fingers on her skin—a mark of his possessive touch.
Her hands were still clinging to his shirt, her knuckles slightly white from the grip. She knew she should have pushed him away, but she couldn't. She was caught in the storm of him—his rage, his desire, and his madness.
Leo's thumb traced her lower lip, his eyes still locked with hers. His breathing was heavy, labored, as if he were barely restraining himself.
"I should walk away," he muttered darkly, though he made no move to do so. His voice was hoarse, raw with conflicting emotions. "I should stay the hell away from you."
Scarlett's hands tightened against his chest. Her heart was still racing, but she could barely find her voice. "Then do it," she whispered, challenging him despite the tremor in her tone.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and a slow, wicked smirk spread across his lips. "No," he rasped, his voice dropping lower. "You belong to me now."
And before she could process his words, he suddenly lifted her off the ground, his arms wrapped tightly around her thighs. A gasp escaped her lips, but she didn't resist. Her legs instinctively locked around his waist, her hands curling into his hair.
Leo slammed her against the wall, his grip possessive but not cruel. His lips were on hers again—hard, bruising, and relentless. His kiss was punishing, as if he were branding her, marking her as his.
Scarlett moaned against his lips, the sensation of his mouth and hands making her dizzy. Her nails raked down his back, drawing a guttural sound from him.
But suddenly…
A sharp, chilling sound echoed through the mansion—a loud crash from outside the room. Both of them stilled. Their heavy breathing filled the space as they slowly pulled apart.
Leo's gaze immediately hardened, his protective instincts kicking in. He carefully lowered Scarlett back onto her feet, his arms still encircling her protectively.
"Stay here," he ordered, his voice firm but low. His eyes flickered with lethal intent. "Don't move."
She grabbed his wrist instinctively. "Leo, no—"
But his eyes were cold, ruthless. "I said, stay."
Without waiting for her response, he strode toward the door, his movements silent but lethal. His entire demeanor had shifted—from a man consumed by desire to a predator ready to hunt.
---
Leo moved through the hallway, his footsteps soundless. His eyes were sharp, scanning the corridor with predatory focus. He reached the end of the hall and slowly peered around the corner.
A man was crouched near the window, dressed in black. Leo's eyes narrowed. The intruder was fiddling with the lock, his gloved hands moving quickly.
Without hesitation, Leo charged forward.
Before the man could react, Leo grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall with a bone-crushing force. The intruder grunted in pain, but Leo's grip was merciless. His fingers tightened around the man's throat, cutting off his air supply.
"Who the hell sent you?" Leo's voice was low and lethal, each word dripping with venom.
The man's eyes widened in panic, his hands clawing at Leo's wrist. His face turned red as he struggled against the iron grip.
"You've got five seconds to answer," Leo hissed, his voice chillingly calm. "Or I'll make sure you regret ever stepping into my home."
The man wheezed, struggling for breath. His eyes bulged, but he didn't speak.
Leo's jaw clenched, and without a word, he slammed the man's head against the wall—once, twice—until blood trickled from his temple. The intruder groaned in pain, but Leo showed no mercy.
"Talk," Leo spat coldly, his eyes void of any humanity.
"R-Ronan…" the man finally choked out, his voice barely above a whisper. "H-he sent me…"
Leo's eyes turned ice-cold. He released the man, allowing him to crumple to the ground. But before the intruder could even catch his breath, Leo drew the knife from his back holster and pressed it to the man's throat.
"Where is he?" Leo's voice was nothing more than a deadly whisper.
The man coughed violently, his eyes pleading. "I-I don't know," he stammered. "Please, I swear—I was just following orders!"
Leo's grip on the knife didn't falter. He applied slight pressure, a thin line of blood appearing against the man's throat.
"Wrong answer," Leo hissed.
The man gasped, his eyes wide with terror. "Wait! Please!" he begged, his voice trembling. "Ronan—he's after her. He—he knows she's with you!"
Leo's eyes narrowed dangerously. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, the urge to end the man's life pulsed through him. But he didn't.
Instead, he abruptly released the man, watching him crumple to the floor, coughing violently.
"Run," Leo growled lowly. "And tell Ronan if he ever comes near Scarlett again, I'll rip his heart out."
The man scrambled to his feet, blood dripping from his temple, and staggered out of the mansion.
---
Back in Scarlett's suite, she paced nervously. Her heart pounded with every tick of the clock. She kept glancing at the door, waiting for Leo to return.
When the door finally creaked open, her breath caught in her throat.
Leo entered, his knuckles bloodied, his eyes dark and deadly. The rage still lingered in his gaze, but the moment his eyes fell on Scarlett, it softened—just barely.
Without a word, he walked straight toward her and cupped her face in his hands. His touch was rough, almost trembling with adrenaline.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded, his voice hoarse.
She shook her head quickly, her eyes wide. "N-no. What happened?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he crashed his lips against hers, his kiss desperate and punishing. His hands gripped her waist, pulling her against him as if he needed to feel her against his skin to be sure she was safe.
Scarlett whimpered against his lips, her fingers tangling in his hair. His kiss was messy, raw, and filled with too much emotion. When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, his breathing ragged.
"Scarlett…" His voice was barely a whisper. "I will destroy anyone who dares to touch you."
Her heart twisted at the rawness in his voice. She knew this was far from over.
---
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