Elena woke up to silence.
For a moment, she forgot where she was…
until her eyes landed on the luxurious room, the wide glass windows, the strange perfume lingering faintly in the air.
The penthouse.
Adrian's world.
Her cage for the next one year.
She sat up slowly, her heart heavy.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
"Miss Rivers?" a maid said politely. "Mr. Blackwood instructed us to bring you breakfast."
Elena blinked. "B–Breakfast? I didn't ask—"
"Yes, ma'am. He said you don't skip meals."
Her chest tightened.
Why did he care about that?
She ate quietly, her thoughts spinning.
When she stepped out into the living area, two staff members whispered nervously.
"That's her…"
"The girl the CEO brought home…"
"He never brings anyone here…"
Elena lowered her gaze and moved past them quickly.
Before she reached the end of the hallway, the elevator opened.
Adrian stepped out.
Sharp suit.
Cold eyes.
Presence heavy enough to silence the whole room instantly.
His gaze found her immediately.
"Elena," he said simply, walking toward her. "You're awake."
She swallowed. "I—I just came out for air."
"You could have called me."
Called him?
For what?
Breathing?
"I didn't want to disturb you," she said.
Adrian stopped in front of her, jaw tightening.
"You won't disturb me. Ever."
Her stomach fluttered with confusion.
Before she could respond, the elevator opened again.
A tall man stepped out—messy brown hair, warm eyes, casual clothes.
He froze when he saw Adrian.
"Blackwood," the man said. "Didn't know you had someone over."
The man's eyes shifted to Elena, and he smiled kindly.
"And who might you be?"
Elena opened her mouth—
But Adrian stepped between them instantly.
His voice dropped to a cold warning.
"Don't talk to her."
The man blinked. "Bro, what—?"
Adrian's glare sharpened dangerously.
"I said don't talk to her."
Elena's heart skipped.
Who was this man that even Adrian spoke to with caution?
The man raised both hands.
"Fine. Fine. Relax."
He smiled at Elena anyway.
"Nice to meet you—"
Adrian moved so fast Elena didn't see it.
In an instant, Adrian's hand gripped the man's collar and slammed him against the elevator wall.
"I said. Don't. Talk. To her."
The staff gasped.
Elena stumbled back, shocked.
"Adrian!" she cried, rushing forward. "Stop—You're hurting him!"
At the sound of her voice, something flickered in Adrian's eyes.
He released the man instantly.
The man coughed, fixing his shirt.
"Damn, you're worse than usual," he muttered.
Adrian ignored him and turned to Elena.
His expression wasn't cold anymore.
It was something else.
Something raw.
Something possessive.
"Elena," he said quietly. "Come here."
She hesitated. "You didn't have to do that. He wasn't hurting me."
Adrian stepped closer, eyes darkening.
"He looked at you."
"So?" Elena whispered.
"So I didn't like it."
Her breath hitched.
"That's not reasonable," she said.
"I'm not reasonable," Adrian shot back.
"Especially when it comes to you."
The honesty in his voice stunned her.
The man in the elevator slowly raised his hand.
"I'm… still here, you know."
Adrian didn't even look at him.
"Elena," he said softly,
"next time someone tries to talk to you… you walk away."
Her heart raced painfully.
"That's not fair," she said. "I can talk to people."
Adrian leaned down until his forehead almost touched hers.
"No," he whispered.
"You talk to me."
The room fell silent.
Elena stepped back, her heart shaking.
She didn't understand him.
Not his actions.
Not his words.
Not why he cared so intensely.
But Adrian…
Adrian understood exactly what he wanted.
And he was looking at her like she was the only thing he refused to lose.