The night was eerily silent. Too silent.
Liana lay in bed, her fingers absently tracing the fabric of the sheets, her mind replaying Adrian's words over and over again.
"I won't let anyone take you from me… No matter how much blood I have to spill."
A shiver ran down her spine—not from fear, but from the sheer intensity of his vow.
She turned her head slightly, glancing toward the balcony doors. The curtains swayed gently, stirred by the cool night breeze. But something felt… off.
A presence.
Her pulse quickened.
Slowly, she sat up, her eyes scanning the darkness. The estate was heavily guarded—no one could possibly get in.
And yet—
A whisper of movement.
Her breath hitched.
And then—
A cold hand clamped over her mouth.
---
The Study – Adrian's Wrath Awakens
Adrian was in his study, swirling the last remnants of scotch in his glass. His mind was heavy with thoughts of Scarlet, the threat she posed, and the blood he was prepared to spill to end her game.
His phone vibrated on the desk.
Unknown Number.
His jaw clenched as he picked it up. "Who the hell is this?"
A soft, mocking chuckle. A voice he recognized all too well.
"Miss me, knight ?"
Scarlet.
His grip on the glass tightened. "If you're looking to die tonight, you picked the right person to call."
She tsked playfully. "Tsk, tsk, Adrian. Always so violent. But you might want to hold that rage for what comes next."
A pause. Then—
A sharp gasp.
A sound he knew.
A sound that made his blood turn to ice.
Liana.
His entire body went rigid. "What did you do?" His voice was dangerously low.
Scarlet hummed. "Relax, darling. She's still breathing… for now."
Adrian's grip on the phone nearly crushed it. "If you so much as touch her—"
Scarlet sighed. "Touch her? Oh, Sinclair, I plan to do so much more than that."
And then—
The call cut off.
---
The Warehouse – A Deadly Game Begins
Liana's head pounded as she was dragged across the cold concrete floor, her wrists bound behind her back.
Her vision was blurry, but she could make out the dim glow of industrial lights flickering overhead. The stench of gasoline and metal filled the air.
A figure crouched in front of her.
Scarlet.
Dressed in all black, her red lips curled into a smug smirk.
"Well, well. The infamous Liana." She reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Liana's face, her nails scraping against her skin.
Liana glared at her, refusing to show weakness. "If you wanted to meet me so badly, you could've just asked."
Scarlet chuckled. "Oh, sweetheart. Where's the fun in that?"
She stood up and pulled out a sleek, silver dagger from her thigh holster. The blade gleamed under the harsh light.
"Tell me something," Scarlet mused, running the tip of the knife along Liana's jawline. "How does it feel to be Adrian Sinclair's weakness?"
Liana's heart pounded, but she kept her expression unreadable. "If I'm his weakness, then what does that make you? The woman he forgot?"
Scarlet's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second.
Then—SLAP!
Liana's head snapped to the side as pain exploded across her cheek. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.
Scarlet crouched again, gripping Liana's chin tightly. "I could kill you right now," she whispered. "Slice your throat open and watch the light fade from your pretty little eyes."
Liana swallowed hard but didn't look away. "Then why haven't you?"
Scarlet smirked. "Because I want him to watch."
She stood up, nodding toward Lucas, who had been watching silently from the shadows.
"Bring her in."
Liana's stomach twisted as the warehouse doors creaked open.
Footsteps.
Heavy. Calculated.
And then—
Adrian knight stepped inside.
---
Adrian vs. Scarlet – A Battle of Wills
Adrian's presence filled the room like a storm, his dark eyes locked onto Liana immediately. A flicker of relief crossed his face before it was swallowed by sheer, murderous rage.
Scarlet clapped her hands together mockingly. "Took you long enough."
Adrian didn't respond. His gaze never left Liana. "Are you hurt?"
Liana managed a small smirk despite the pain. "Your ex has a terrible temper."
Scarlet pouted dramatically. "Oh, don't be so mean, Liana. I was just getting to the fun part."
Adrian finally looked at Scarlet. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was razor-sharp. "You just signed your death warrant."
Scarlet sighed, tapping the dagger against her chin. "You always say that, and yet, here I am."
Adrian took a step forward. Lucas immediately raised his gun, but Adrian didn't even glance at him. His entire focus was on Scarlet.
"Let. Her. Go."
Scarlet tilted her head. "And if I don't?"
Adrian smirked. But it wasn't a pleasant smirk—it was the kind that sent chills down spines. "Then I'll make sure your death is slow."
Lucas tensed. Even Scarlet's amusement flickered for a second.
Adrian wasn't bluffing.
Scarlet clicked her tongue. "Fine. Let's make a deal."
Adrian's fists clenched. "I don't make deals."
Scarlet smiled sweetly. "Not even for her?" She gestured toward Liana.
A muscle ticked in Adrian's jaw.
Scarlet leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming. "You want her back? Then play my game, Sinclair."
Adrian didn't respond immediately. His dark eyes flickered with something dangerous.
Finally, he exhaled slowly. "Name your terms."
Scarlet's smile widened. "Good boy."
And just like that—
The deadly game truly began.
---
See you in next chapter....