The soft amber glow of the library's fireplace flickered against the walls, casting distorted shadows across the dark mahogany shelves. Liana sat on the plush rug, leaning back against Adrian's chest. His arms were loosely wrapped around her, his fingers absentmindedly tracing small circles along her wrist.
The rain continued to patter softly against the windows, but the storm outside was nothing compared to the one brewing inside Adrian's chest.
He was holding her, but his thoughts were miles away.
Scarlet.
Her game was escalating.
He'd stared at the hidden camera feed for over an hour before storming out. The image of Liana, completely unaware that she was being watched, had nearly driven him insane.
The worst part?
He still didn't know how many eyes were on her.
---
The Library – Fragile Serenity
Liana exhaled softly, leaning further into him. Her fingers grazed against his, and she slowly intertwined them with hers. She glanced up at him.
"You're quiet." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
He didn't respond at first. His thumb continued to brush over her skin in slow, measured strokes.
Finally, he murmured, "You should be asleep."
Her fingers tightened slightly around his. "So should you."
He let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Sleep isn't exactly a luxury I can afford right now."
She shifted slightly, turning so she could face him. Her eyes searched his face, trying to read the darkness swimming behind his cold, gray eyes.
"Adrian…" she whispered softly. "You're scaring me."
His eyes hardened slightly, but he didn't pull away. "You should be scared." His voice was low, dark. "You're not safe here."
She placed a gentle hand against his cheek, forcing him to meet her gaze. "I'm not leaving."
A muscle feathered in his jaw. His eyes burned with conflict—torn between keeping her close and pushing her away. But before he could respond, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his softly.
It was slow. Tender. Unlike their previous desperate kisses. This one was different. It was grounding. Comforting.
He melted into it without resistance. His hand slid into her hair, cradling her head as he kissed her back. Slowly. Deeply.
When she pulled back, her lips were swollen, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her forehead rested against his.
"You promised you wouldn't push me away," she whispered softly.
His grip on her tightened slightly, as if holding her was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.
"I don't know how to keep you safe," he admitted hoarsely, his voice cracking ever so slightly.
She shook her head. "Then let me decide how much risk I'm willing to take."
Her words pierced through the iron walls he had built around his heart. He pressed his lips against her forehead, letting them linger there for a long moment.
"You're too stubborn for your own good," he muttered softly.
She smiled faintly against his chest. "I learned from the best."
---
Scarlet's Den – The Snare Tightens
In the abandoned warehouse, Scarlet leaned back against the worn leather chair, her legs crossed lazily. The dim lighting made her red hair appear darker, and her lips curved into a cruel smirk as she scrolled through the grainy footage.
Liana's face flickered across the screen—the close-up view of the hidden camera showed her leaning into Adrian's arms, their shared kiss clearly visible.
Scarlet's eyes narrowed.
She took a slow drag from her cigarette, the end glowing red in the darkness. Smoke curled from her lips as she exhaled slowly.
Lucas stood near the far wall, arms crossed, watching her with a cold expression.
"You're enjoying this a little too much," he drawled, his voice laced with disinterest.
Scarlet's smirk widened. She turned the tablet slightly, flashing the screen toward him. "Look at them." Her voice was sickeningly sweet. "So in love. So vulnerable."
Lucas arched a brow, unimpressed. "You're playing with fire."
Scarlet's eyes darkened. She set the tablet down slowly and turned to face him. "I don't care." Her voice was sharp. Ruthless. "Adrian Sinclair has ruled from the shadows for too long. It's time to burn his kingdom down."
Her fingers traced the edge of the small detonator resting on the table beside her. The sleek, black device glimmered under the dim light.
Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly. "What's that?"
Scarlet's smile turned predatory. "Insurance."
---
The Estate – Fractured Calm
The next morning, the sun barely peeked through the heavy clouds as Liana descended the grand staircase. She wore a simple, long-sleeved cream sweater and black leggings, her hair loosely braided over her shoulder.
She found Adrian in his study, sitting behind his desk, his fingers steepled together. His eyes were cold, unreadable.
She knew something was wrong the moment she saw him.
"Adrian?" She walked toward him, but he didn't meet her gaze.
His fingers drummed lightly against the surface of his desk, his jaw tight.
"You were being watched last night," he finally said, his voice low and emotionless.
She froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"What…?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He slowly turned the tablet on his desk toward her. The screen flickered with the grainy footage from the hidden camera—the one Scarlet had planted.
Her face paled as she watched herself on the screen. Alone in the library. Vulnerable.
Her hands clenched into fists. "How long…?"
Adrian's voice was ice. "I don't know."
Her stomach twisted painfully. Her hands trembled slightly as she took a step back.
"I—" she stammered, but her voice caught.
Adrian stood abruptly. He walked around the desk and stopped in front of her, gripping her arms gently but firmly. His eyes were piercing. "You will not go anywhere alone."
Her eyes snapped up to meet his, slightly wide. "Adrian—"
"No." His voice was firm. His hands tightened slightly, but not enough to hurt her. Just enough to make her listen. "I'm serious, Liana." His voice dropped, barely above a whisper. "They're getting closer."
Her breath hitched slightly. She could feel the tension in his grip. The desperation in his voice.
For the first time, she saw it.
The fear in his eyes.
He was losing control—and that terrified him.
Without thinking, she reached up and pressed her hand against his cheek.
"I'm not leaving you," she whispered softly. "No matter how dangerous it gets."
He didn't respond. His jaw clenched slightly, but he leaned into her touch.
After a long moment, he closed his eyes and exhaled heavily, as if trying to anchor himself.
"You have no idea what you're risking," he muttered against her palm.
Her fingers slid into his hair, gently pulling his face closer. Her lips brushed against his softly—a reassurance, a promise.
"I do," she whispered. "And I'm still here."
For the first time in years, Adrian Sinclair didn't feel like the most dangerous man in the room.
Because Liana had just become his greatest vulnerability.
And she wasn't going anywhere.
---
See you in next chapter....