The night was suffocatingly still. The moon hung low over the estate, its pale light barely piercing through the heavy clouds that veiled the sky. Inside the mansion, the suffocating silence was broken only by the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall.
But in Liana's chest, her heart was pounding violently.
She sat near the window, her knees drawn up to her chest. Her arms were wrapped around herself, as if trying to keep the fragile pieces of her composure from falling apart. The dim moonlight bathed her face, making her eyes seem darker—deeper. But she was anything but calm.
Her mind was still spinning from the way Adrian had kissed her—raw, unforgiving, and claiming. She could still feel the bruising imprint of his lips on hers, still feel the heat of his breath on her skin.
She shivered at the memory, but she wasn't sure whether it was from fear… or from the way her body had betrayed her.
Her fingers clenched the fabric of her nightgown, her knuckles whitening. "Damn you, Adrian," she muttered under her breath, her voice hoarse.
But when she closed her eyes, all she could see was him.
---
The Study – Ruthless Intentions
Adrian stood by the window in his study, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The faint amber glow from the fireplace cast sharp shadows across his face, making him look darker, more sinister.
The glass of whiskey in his hand remained untouched. His eyes were cold, calculating—his expression impassive.
Dominic stood across from him, watching him carefully. "The men you sent after Scarlet—"
Adrian's eyes cut to him sharply. "Dead?"
Dominic nodded once. "She saw them coming."
Adrian's jaw ticked, but his face remained unreadable. "She's more slippery than I expected," he muttered coldly.
Dominic's voice lowered slightly. "She's watching Liana."
The glass in Adrian's hand suddenly shattered with a sharp crack.
The amber liquid seeped between his fingers, mixing with the blood from the jagged shards of glass. But he didn't flinch. His eyes were still, emotionless—his gaze cold as death.
"She won't get near her," he said, his voice low, deadly.
Dominic hesitated. "Adrian…" He paused. "She already has."
Adrian's eyes narrowed dangerously. His entire body went rigid. "What?"
Dominic's jaw clenched. "One of Scarlet's men was seen near the west perimeter of the estate earlier tonight."
Adrian's eyes darkened with fury. "And you're just telling me this now?"
"We handled it," Dominic said quickly. "He's dead."
But the reassurance didn't ease the glacial rage in Adrian's eyes. He stormed toward the door, his hands still streaked with blood, his eyes sharp with lethal intent.
---
The Bedroom – A Dangerous Comfort
Liana was still by the window when the door to her room suddenly swung open. She jolted slightly, her heart leaping into her throat.
Her breath caught when she saw Adrian standing in the doorway.
His shirt was still unbuttoned at the collar, and his sleeves were pushed up. His hair was slightly disheveled, and there was still blood on his hand from the shattered glass.
Her eyes widened slightly. "You're hurt," she whispered before she could stop herself.
He stared at her for a long moment, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, slowly, he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.
The click of the lock made her pulse quicken.
He stalked toward her with slow, deliberate steps, his eyes never leaving hers. Her throat tightened as she tried to keep herself still. But her entire body was trembling.
He didn't stop until he was right in front of her, so close that she could feel the heat of his body.
"You're scared," he murmured softly, tilting his head slightly.
Her breath hitched. "I'm not."
A dark smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You should be."
Without warning, his bloodied hand reached out, and he brushed his fingers against her cheek. She flinched slightly, her breath catching. His touch was rough, but his fingertips moved with almost cruel gentleness.
"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly, her voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes darkened. "Reminding you who you belong to."
Her lips parted slightly, but she couldn't find her voice.
Without another word, his fingers slowly trailed down her jawline, tracing the delicate curve of her neck. His thumb brushed over her racing pulse, feeling it throb beneath his touch.
Her breath came in shallow, uneven pants. "Stop…" she whispered, but her voice was weak, unsure.
His lips ghosted over her ear. "You can lie to yourself, Liana," he rasped darkly. "But your body doesn't know how."
Her stomach tightened painfully. Her fists clenched at her sides, but her knees were weak—her resolve weaker.
His hand slid around her waist, pulling her against him. His grip was unyielding, possessive. His lips grazed the curve of her throat, making her shiver.
Her traitorous body arched slightly into him, and his eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction.
"See?" he whispered against her skin. "You crave me even when you hate me."
Her eyes fluttered shut, and she bit down on her lower lip hard, trying to block out the traitorous heat flooding her veins.
But he felt it.
He always did.
---
Scarlet's Deception – A Deadly Strike
Far away from the estate, Scarlet leaned against the sleek black car parked outside an abandoned warehouse. Her blood-red lips curled into a cruel smile as she stared at the man kneeling before her, his face bloodied and bruised.
Her eyes glittered with malice. "You failed me," she purred softly.
The man coughed violently, spitting blood onto the cracked pavement. "Please… give me another chance," he begged weakly.
Scarlet crouched in front of him, her stilettos clicking lightly against the concrete. She smiled sweetly, almost tenderly, as she cupped his face.
"Another chance?" she repeated softly.
He nodded weakly, hope flickering in his eyes.
And then, without warning, she drove the sharp blade in her hand into his throat.
His eyes widened in shock. Blood gurgled from his lips as he choked, his hands clawing weakly at her wrist.
She held the knife in place, watching with detached amusement as the life drained from his eyes. Then, with a sharp twist, she pulled the blade free, and his lifeless body slumped to the ground.
She stood up slowly, wiping the blood from the blade with a delicate silk handkerchief. Her lips curved into a vicious smile.
"You only get one chance with me," she murmured darkly.
Her phone buzzed, and she answered it calmly, her tone devoid of emotion.
"It's done," the voice on the other end reported.
Her eyes glimmered with cruel satisfaction. She glanced toward the estate in the distance, her lips curling into a sinister smile.
"Good," she purred. "Now… let's destroy her."
---
See you in next chapter....