Liana's fingers trembled as she clutched the phone, Eric's warning still ringing in her ears. "There's a hit out on you."
Her throat felt dry, her vision slightly blurred from the sudden wave of fear crashing over her. She slowly backed away from the window, pulling the curtains shut. The weight of Eric's words clung to her chest, suffocating her.
Her hands shook as she paced the room, her mind racing. "Someone wants me dead? But… why?" She barely whispered the words, unable to fully grasp the situation.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated violently in her hand. She flinched, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes dropped to the screen.
Adrian Black calling.
Her heart pounded in her chest. She stared at the phone, unsure whether to answer. The last thing she wanted was to hear his voice, but… she knew she couldn't ignore him. Not anymore.
With trembling fingers, she accepted the call.
"Liana." His voice was low, sharp, and commanding. "Where are you?"
Her throat tightened. "At… home."
There was a brief silence on the other end. Then, his voice dropped lower, darker. "You're lying."
Her breath caught. "I'm not—"
"I can hear it in your voice," he cut her off coldly. "You're scared."
Her grip on the phone tightened. "Adrian, I can't do this right now," she whispered. Her voice was shaky, betraying the terror coursing through her veins.
There was a long pause. Then, his voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "Did someone threaten you?"
Her breath stilled. How did he know? She clenched her eyes shut, the threat Eric had revealed flashing in her mind. Her silence was enough for Adrian.
"I'm coming over," he ordered flatly.
"No!" she blurted out, her voice sharp with desperation. "Don't come."
A dark chuckle slipped through the line—a dangerous sound, low and menacing. "Too late."
The call disconnected.
---
Moments Later – Liana's Apartment
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. Liana's pulse quickened, panic rising in her chest. She bolted to the door, her hand shaking as she locked it.
But the footsteps didn't slow. They stopped right outside her door. She held her breath, pressing her back against the wall.
Then came the knock. Slow. Deliberate.
"Open the door, Liana." Adrian's voice was low and chilling.
Her fingers clenched the edge of the wall, her knuckles turning white. She didn't respond. Her heart was hammering in her chest.
The door handle twisted. She gasped softly, pressing herself harder against the wall.
"I won't ask again." His voice was softer this time, but far more dangerous.
Before she could react, the lock clicked. Her eyes widened in shock. "What the—"
The door swung open. Adrian stepped inside, his towering frame dominating the small apartment. His eyes were cold, sharp, and predatory as they locked onto her.
She stumbled back. "How did you—"
His lips curved into a dark smirk. He slowly held up the spare key he had taken from her drawer days ago. "You shouldn't keep secrets from me."
Her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes darted to the door, but before she could even think of making a run for it, Adrian's hand slammed it shut behind him. The sound echoed like a gunshot in the small apartment.
"Who threatened you, Liana?" His voice was low, but it was a deadly warning.
She shook her head quickly. "No one. You're overreacting."
In a flash, he was in front of her, his hand slamming against the wall beside her head. Her breath hitched.
"Don't lie to me." His voice was barely a whisper, but it was lethal.
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't answer. She couldn't.
His fingers brushed against her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw. "You think you can protect yourself from them?" he murmured darkly. "You can't. You need me."
Her lips parted, her eyes burning with defiance. "I don't need you," she lied through gritted teeth.
His fingers curled around her chin, forcing her to look at him. His eyes darkened dangerously. "Oh, but you do, sweetheart," he whispered darkly. "You just haven't accepted it yet."
---
Adrian's POV – The Darkest Fury
He stared down at her trembling form, his eyes flashing with fury. The thought of someone threatening her made his blood boil. The predator inside him was awake, thirsting for violence.
He stepped back slightly, his eyes still burning into hers. "Pack your things."
She blinked, confusion flashing across her face. "What?"
His voice was low and dangerous. "You're coming with me."
Her eyes narrowed. "No."
His jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "I wasn't asking."
She crossed her arms, glaring at him. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
In a heartbeat, he was in front of her again. His hand gripped her chin, tilting her face up, forcing her to meet his icy gaze.
"I don't care how much you fight me, Liana," he whispered darkly. "I'll drag you out of here myself if I have to."
Her eyes widened, defiance flickering in them, but he could see the fear she was trying to hide.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "You're mine." His voice was a chilling whisper. "And I'll burn the whole damn world if anyone dares to touch you."
---
Elsewhere – Scarlet's Deadly Plan
Scarlet leaned back against the leather couch, a cruel smirk curling her lips as she stared at the screen displaying a live feed of Liana's apartment. She twirled the wine glass in her hand, her eyes gleaming with malice.
"So foolishly loyal," she mused, watching Adrian's possessive grip on Liana. "But not for long."
A voice crackled through her earpiece. "The assassin is in position."
Her lips curled into a sinister smile. "Good. Let's see how far Adrian Black is willing to go… for his little toy."
She swirled her wine and raised her glass in a mock toast. "Let the game begin."
---
Back at Liana's Apartment
Adrian's phone buzzed. Leo's voice came through the line, sharp and urgent.
"Adrian, they're moving in on her location."
His eyes hardened. Without a word, he grabbed Liana's wrist. "We're leaving. Now."
Her eyes widened. "What? No—"
But she didn't get a chance to finish. Adrian yanked her against him, his eyes flashing with raw, possessive fury. "I said we're leaving."
Without another word, he lifted her into his arms. She struggled against him, but he was unyielding.
As he carried her out of the apartment, his cold eyes glimmered with deadly intent. "Anyone who comes for you, Liana…" he whispered darkly, his voice promising merciless vengeance, "…will wish they were never born."
---
Adrian's fury knows no bounds as he declares war on Scarlet. Meanwhile, Liana begins to realize just how far Adrian is willing to go to protect what he claims as his own…
----
See you in next chapter....