The dim light of the grand study flickered as Adrian stood near the fireplace, his sharp eyes scanning the encrypted document on his desk. The weight of the night bore heavily upon him, but his mind was fixated on the unfolding chaos.
Elena sat across the room, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "You need to stop pushing people away, Adrian. You're making enemies faster than allies."
Adrian exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Enemies have always been part of my world, Elena. The only difference now is... they know where to strike."
A knock on the heavy oak door disrupted their conversation. Nathaniel entered, his face grim. "We have a problem. Lucas is missing."
Elena's breath hitched. "Missing? How?"
Nathaniel shook his head. "We had him under strict surveillance. But someone got to him before we could extract more information."
Adrian clenched his jaw, his patience thinning. "Scarlett. It has to be her. She's the only one reckless enough to pull something like this."
Elena glanced at Adrian, searching his face for any sign of uncertainty, but found none. "If Scarlett has him, then she's already planning her next move."
Adrian nodded. "And we need to be ahead of her."
Nathaniel placed a file on the desk. "This was intercepted an hour ago. A coded message from one of Scarlett's known associates. They're planning something big. And Elena... you're at the center of it."
Elena stiffened. "What? Why me?"
Adrian's gaze darkened. "Because you're my greatest weakness."
Silence enveloped the room. The weight of Adrian's words settled between them, unspoken yet undeniable.
Nathaniel cleared his throat. "We need a plan. And we need it fast."
Adrian's mind raced. "I'll handle Scarlett. Nathaniel, increase security around Elena. No one gets near her without my knowledge."
Elena narrowed her eyes. "I'm not some damsel in distress, Adrian. I can fight."
Adrian smirked. "I know you can, but I won't risk losing you."
Before Elena could argue, the phone on Adrian's desk buzzed. He answered it, his expression hardening with each passing second.
He hung up and turned to Nathaniel. "It's begun. Scarlett just made her first move."
Elena inhaled sharply. "What did she do?"
Adrian's voice was like steel. "She just put a bounty on your head."
-----
The night air was thick with tension as Adrian Knight stood near the window of his study, his fingers curled into fists. The city lights flickered below, oblivious to the storm brewing inside him.
Elena Carter paced behind him, her arms folded tightly across her chest. "A bounty? On me?" Her voice was steady, but Adrian could hear the controlled fury beneath her words.
Nathaniel, leaning against the desk, exhaled sharply. "Scarlett isn't just sending a warning. She wants to eliminate any leverage Adrian has. And right now, Elena, that's you."
Adrian turned, his cold blue eyes locking onto Elena's. "I won't let them touch you."
Elena scoffed. "And what do you suggest? That I hide? That's not happening, Adrian. You know that."
Nathaniel smirked. "She's got a point. She's been in this game long enough to know running isn't an option."
Adrian clenched his jaw. "Then we change the rules."
Nathaniel raised a brow. "Meaning?"
Adrian strode towards the desk, pulling out a small device. With a press of a button, a hidden screen lit up, revealing a map dotted with red markers. "Scarlett wants a hunt? We give her one. But on our terms."
Elena stepped forward, scanning the screen. "What are we looking at?"
Adrian pointed to a marked location. "Scarlett's safe house. It's time we take the fight to her."
Nathaniel let out a low whistle. "That's bold. And dangerous."
Adrian's gaze hardened. "So is underestimating me."
Elena crossed her arms. "I'm coming with you."
Adrian didn't flinch. "No, you're not."
Elena glared. "Excuse me?"
Nathaniel chuckled under his breath, but Adrian ignored him. "I need you safe. And I need Scarlett to believe she has the upper hand. If she thinks you're vulnerable, she'll make a move. That's when we strike."
Elena's fists clenched. "And what if she doesn't take the bait?"
Adrian's lips curled into a dark smirk. "She will. She always does."
Nathaniel pushed off the desk. "Alright, then. When do we start?"
Adrian glanced at the clock. "Now."
A tense silence filled the room before Elena finally sighed. "Fine. But don't expect me to sit idly by."
Adrian met her gaze, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "I never do."
As the night stretched on, the pieces of their deadly game began to fall into place. The hunt had begun, and only one side would come out victorious.
-----
The tension in the room was palpable. Adrian Knight stood by the window, his sharp gaze fixed on the darkened city skyline. The news of the bounty on Elena Carter had sent a ripple through the underground, attracting dangerous players into the already volatile game.
Elena paced behind him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "We need to act fast, Adrian. Scarlett isn't going to sit back and wait. She wants me out of the picture."
Nathaniel leaned against the desk, his expression grim. "She's not just after you. She's making a statement. Challenging Adrian. This isn't just about revenge; it's about power."
Adrian exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Then I'll give her a response she won't forget."
He turned to Nathaniel. "Double the security at all entry points. I want a team shadowing Elena at all times. No one gets near her without my approval."
Elena huffed. "I can handle myself, Adrian. I don't need a bodyguard."
His cold blue eyes locked onto hers. "You're not just anyone, Elena. You're mine. And I protect what's mine."
A silence stretched between them before Nathaniel cleared his throat, breaking the charged moment. "We have a lead on Scarlett's next move. One of our informants intercepted a message—she's meeting someone at the old railway station tonight."
Adrian's fingers drummed against the desk. "Then that's where we'll be. If she thinks she can play this game, she's about to learn the hard way that I always win."
Elena stepped forward. "I'm coming with you."
"No, you're not."
"Adrian—"
"No." His voice was firm. "You stay with Nathaniel. I won't risk you walking into a trap."
Elena clenched her fists, frustration evident in her fiery gaze. But deep down, she knew Adrian wasn't just being possessive—he was scared of losing her. And that terrified her more than anything.
Nathaniel smirked. "Looks like you don't have a choice, Elena."
She exhaled sharply. "Fine. But don't expect me to sit here and do nothing."
Adrian's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Wouldn't dream of it."
With that, he turned, the weight of the upcoming battle heavy on his shoulders. The hunt for Scarlett had officially begun.
---
See you in the next chapter....