Liana's back pressed against the wall as Adrian's piercing eyes bore into hers. The tension in the room was palpable—her breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding violently in her chest. His fingers lightly traced the curve of her jaw, sending an unwanted shiver down her spine.
"You already do," he had whispered with chilling finality.
Her fists clenched at her sides, refusing to let the fear show on her face. "You're delusional," she spat out, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian's lips twitched into a dark smirk. "Am I?" he drawled, leaning in just enough that their breaths mingled. "Then why are you trembling, Liana?"
Her eyes hardened. She tilted her chin up in defiance. "I'm not scared of you."
His gaze darkened. Without breaking eye contact, his hand slowly trailed down her neck, his touch featherlight but deliberate, making her skin tingle. "No?" he murmured silkily. "Then why do you look like you're about to run?"
Her throat bobbed. She wanted to shove him away, but her body remained frozen under his cold, dominating stare.
---
Adrian's POV
He could feel the faint tremor beneath her skin. She was afraid—despite her bravado. And he liked it.
Her defiance only made the predator in him want to claim her more. She was intoxicating—the perfect blend of vulnerability and fire.
He leaned in, his lips barely brushing against her ear. "You're mine, Liana." His voice was a dark promise, low and commanding. "And no one—" his fingers tightened slightly around her wrist, "no one will take you from me."
Her eyes burned with fury. She yanked her wrist from his grip, her chest heaving. "You're insane!"
Adrian's eyes flickered with amusement. He stepped back slightly, watching her with a cruel glimmer in his gaze. "Insane?" he echoed, a mocking chuckle escaping his lips. "No, sweetheart. I'm just very, very possessive."
She glared at him, her hands trembling at her sides. "You can't control me."
He smiled darkly, his eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction. He suddenly grabbed her wrist again, but this time, gentler. His thumb slowly caressed the skin over her pulse, making her breathing hitch.
"I already do, Liana." His voice was low, a whisper meant only for her. "You just haven't realized it yet."
---
Liana's Apartment – Hours Later
The room was quiet, but the tension from earlier still lingered in the air like a heavy fog. Adrian had left, but his presence still clung to the space—clung to her skin.
Liana sat on the edge of her bed, clutching the blanket around herself, her hands trembling slightly. She hated how easily he could make her feel so powerless.
Her phone buzzed. Her breath hitched, thinking it was Adrian again. But it wasn't.
Eric.
Her fingers hovered over the screen before answering.
"Liana?" Eric's voice was firm but filled with concern. "Where are you?"
She exhaled shakily. "At home."
"Alone?" he asked cautiously.
Her throat tightened. "Yes." It was a lie. She could still feel Adrian's presence lingering in the apartment—the memory of his touch still burning on her skin.
There was a brief pause before Eric spoke again. "You need to get out of there." His voice was low but sharp. "I've been digging deeper. Adrian Black is far more dangerous than we thought. You're in real trouble."
Her fingers tightened around the phone. "I can handle it," she lied.
Eric's voice hardened. "No, you can't. You don't understand—he's not just some ruthless businessman, Liana. He's connected to things far darker."
Her heart sank. "What are you talking about?"
Eric's voice lowered. "There's a hit out on you."
Her breath caught. "What?"
"I found documents—wire transfers, contracts—someone's been paid to follow you. To watch you." His voice trembled slightly. "And it's not Adrian. It's someone else. Someone who wants you dead."
The blood drained from her face. Her fingers went cold.
"You need to leave now, Liana," Eric urged. "Before it's too late."
Her lips parted, but she couldn't speak. The weight of the revelation hit her like a ton of bricks.
---
Elsewhere – In the Shadows
Scarlet sat in a darkened room, the glow of multiple screens illuminating her cruel smile. She twirled the glass of red wine in her hand, her eyes gleaming with malice.
She watched the live feed of Liana in her apartment, her gaze narrowing with satisfaction. "So fragile… so breakable," she murmured darkly.
A voice crackled through her earpiece. "The tracker's still on her."
Scarlet's eyes glimmered with cruel delight. "Good. Let's give Adrian a taste of what it feels like to lose."
She raised her glass in a mock toast. "Enjoy her while you can, Adrian. She won't be yours for long."
The sound of cruel laughter filled the room as Scarlet's dark game intensified.
---
Back at the Black Estate
Adrian sat in his study, his fingers lazily swirling the whiskey in his glass. His eyes were cold, predatory, and calculating.
Leo entered the room, his expression grim. "We have a problem," he said quietly.
Adrian's gaze slowly lifted. "What is it?"
Leo placed a file on the table, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Scarlet's moving faster than we anticipated."
Adrian's eyes darkened, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. He didn't seem surprised—he seemed amused.
"Let her play," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm looking forward to crushing her."
Leo's jaw tightened. "She's not just coming for you this time, Adrian."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly, a dark storm swirling behind them.
Leo met his gaze. "She's coming for Liana."
The room fell into a chilling silence.
Adrian's fingers tightened around the glass, shattering it in his grip. Blood trickled down his hand, but he didn't flinch. His eyes turned icy, cold fury simmering behind them.
"She made the wrong move." His voice was a deadly whisper. "No one touches what's mine."
---
See you in next chapter...