The heavy rain lashed against the estate's windows, creating a rhythmic drumming sound. The storm outside was nothing compared to the tempest brewing inside Adrian's chest.
He stood near the window of his study, gripping the crystal tumbler of scotch in his hand. The amber liquid barely moved as his fingers remained deathly still around the glass.
His eyes were cold. Unmoving.
But his mind? It was a war zone.
Scarlet.
Her audacity was escalating.
The hidden camera wasn't just a violation of privacy—it was a declaration of war.
And Adrian Sinclair never lost wars.
---
The Study – Calculated Fury
The door opened softly behind him. The faint scent of vanilla and lavender filled the room—a scent he could recognize in his sleep.
Liana.
She didn't say anything at first. She simply walked over, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. Her hands pressed flat against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat.
He exhaled slowly, leaning slightly into her warmth.
"You're tense," she whispered softly, her lips brushing against the fabric of his shirt.
He didn't respond. He couldn't.
Her arms tightened around him slightly. "Talk to me, Adrian."
After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and quiet. "They were in my house."
Her arms stilled. Her breath caught slightly.
"They watched you," he added darkly, his voice laced with barely restrained fury.
She slowly loosened her hold and stepped around to face him. Her eyes searched his, seeing the storm raging beneath the surface.
"You're blaming yourself." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
His jaw tightened. His fingers curled into fists at his sides.
"You should have never been a part of this," he muttered, his voice gruff. "I dragged you into my world and now—"
She cut him off, reaching up and cupping his face in her hands. Her fingers were warm against his cool skin.
"Stop," she murmured firmly, her eyes locking with his. "I walked into this world by choice. Don't take that choice away from me."
For a moment, his eyes softened. Just slightly.
But the ruthless part of him—the predator—still simmered beneath the surface.
He lowered his face until his lips were inches from hers. His voice was low, dark, and threatening.
"If they touch you, I will destroy them."
Her breath caught slightly at the intensity in his eyes. She didn't doubt him for a second.
---
Scarlet's Hideout – The Trap Tightens
In the dimly lit warehouse, Scarlet stood in front of a large panel of screens. Each one displayed various angles of Adrian's estate—the gates, the surrounding forest, and the hidden interior feeds she had planted.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her red lips curling into a sinister smirk.
Lucas sat across the room, flipping a dagger casually between his fingers. His gaze was impassive, but he was watching her closely.
"You're playing a dangerous game," he muttered, his voice dry.
Scarlet's eyes glimmered with malicious glee. "That's the point, Lucas."
She leaned forward, pausing the footage on a still image of Liana—her face partially turned away, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Scarlet's eyes hardened. She trailed her finger slowly over the screen, outlining Liana's face with mock tenderness.
"She's becoming a problem," Scarlet murmured softly, her voice almost affectionate.
Lucas arched a brow. "She's already a problem. She makes him weak."
Scarlet's eyes narrowed slightly. Her nails scraped against the edge of the screen, distorting the image for a brief second.
"Which is exactly why she needs to go."
Her voice was cold. Unforgiving.
Lucas's hand stilled mid-flip, and he set the dagger down with a soft clatter. His eyes darkened slightly.
"You kill her, and he'll burn the entire city down," he warned.
Scarlet's smirk widened. She slowly turned toward him, her eyes gleaming with unhinged delight.
"That's what I'm counting on."
---
The Estate – Fractured Peace
Later that evening, Liana sat on the grand staircase, absently running her fingers along the smooth railing. The storm had finally passed, leaving a cool, misty haze hanging over the gardens.
She was lost in thought, barely noticing when Adrian appeared at the bottom of the stairs. His hair was slightly damp from the rain, and he had removed his jacket, leaving him in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
She glanced up at him, her eyes slightly hazy with exhaustion.
"You should sleep," he murmured as he ascended the stairs slowly.
She shook her head slightly. "I won't be able to."
He reached her and crouched down in front of her, placing his hands on either side of her on the steps. His eyes burned into hers, as if searching for something unspoken.
After a moment, he reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You're tired," he whispered softly. "And you're still trembling."
She realized then that her hands were slightly shaking. From the fear. From the adrenaline.
He didn't pull away. Instead, he carefully pried her trembling hands into his, bringing them to his lips. He pressed a soft, lingering kiss against her knuckles.
"I hate seeing you afraid," he murmured against her skin.
Her eyes softened slightly. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his.
"I'm not afraid of you," she whispered. "I'm afraid of losing you."
His breath caught slightly at her words. His hands tightened around hers, anchoring her to him.
"You won't lose me," he vowed, his voice hoarse. "I won't let you."
---
The Bedroom – Vulnerable Tension
They ended up in his room later, both of them stripped down to nothing but their bruised hearts and aching vulnerabilities.
Liana lay on her side, her back pressed against his chest, while his arm draped protectively over her waist. She could feel his steady heartbeat against her spine, a rhythmic reminder that he was still there.
His fingers traced slow, lazy patterns against her hip, his lips occasionally brushing against the nape of her neck.
"I meant what I said earlier," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
He hummed softly against her skin. "What part?"
She slowly turned in his arms, her eyes locking with his. "I'm not leaving you."
His eyes softened slightly, but the darkness still lingered.
He reached up, brushing his knuckles along her jaw. "Even if it gets worse?"
She nodded slowly. "Even then."
A shadow flickered in his eyes, but then he leaned down and kissed her softly—slow, deliberate, and consuming. His lips molded against hers, his hand cupping her face as if trying to memorize every inch of her.
She melted into him, her hands slipping into his hair, pulling him impossibly closer.
There was nothing rushed about the way he kissed her—it was slow, savoring, almost reverent.
As if he was afraid she might disappear.
When they finally pulled apart, her breath was uneven, her lips slightly swollen.
He pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes burning into hers.
"I won't let anyone take you from me," he whispered hoarsely. "No matter how much blood I have to spill."
And Liana knew, without a shadow of doubt, that he meant every single word.
---
See you in the next chapter....