The house was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Lena sat on the edge of the bed in the guest room Adrian had brought her to. The room was big, soft, and warm, but she felt cold inside. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking.
Everything had happened too fast.
The break-in.
The gunshots.
Her mother.
The necklace.
Her life was no longer her own.
A knock came on the door.
"Come in," she said softly.
Adrian walked in. His jacket was gone. His sleeves were rolled up. There was a small cut on his hand.
"You're bleeding," Lena said.
"It's nothing."
He closed the door behind him and leaned against it.
"They're gone," he said. "For now."
"For now?" she asked.
"Yes."
Her chest tightened. "So this is my life now? Always hiding?"
Adrian didn't answer right away. He walked closer and handed her a glass of water.
"Drink," he said.
She took it with both hands and drank slowly.
"You said I had to follow rules," she said.
"Yes."
"How many?"
"Three."
She laughed once, dry and tired. "Only three? That's funny."
He didn't smile.
"Rule one," he said. "You don't leave this house without me."
Her head snapped up. "What?"
"It's not safe."
"I'm not a prisoner."
"No," he said. "You're protected."
"That sounds like the same thing."
He ignored that. "Rule two. You don't tell anyone where you are. Not friends. Not coworkers. No one."
"My job—"
"I'll handle it."
Her voice rose. "You can't just control my life."
"I already am," he said calmly.
That shut her up.
"And rule three," he continued. "You do not wear that necklace again."
Her hand flew to her chest.
"No," she said. "That's my mother's."
"That necklace almost got you killed."
"It's all I have left of her."
Adrian's voice softened. "I know. But it's not safe."
She stood up. "You don't get to take that from me."
"I'm not asking," he said.
Anger rushed through her. "Then this deal is over."
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then he said, "If you walk out, they'll find you within hours."
Silence filled the room.
Lena sat back down slowly.
"I hate you," she whispered.
"That's fine," Adrian said. "You don't need to like me. You just need to stay alive."
She turned her face away so he wouldn't see her tears.
"Get some rest," he said. "Tomorrow will be worse."
He walked out.
The door locked behind him.
Lena stared at it.
She was trapped.
Morning came too soon.
A maid brought clothes. Expensive clothes. Dresses she had only seen online.
"I can't wear these," Lena said.
"You must," the woman replied kindly.
"Why?"
"Mr. Blackwood requested it."
Lena swallowed.
She chose the simplest dress. Black. Long sleeves. No shine.
When she stepped into the living room, Adrian was already there. Talking on the phone.
"She's with me," he said into it. "Yes. I'm sure."
He hung up and turned to her.
"You look fine," he said.
"That's not a compliment," she replied.
A small smile touched his lips. "You're learning."
"Where are we going?"
"Out."
She froze. "Rule one."
"I know," he said. "You're coming with me."
"To where?"
"A place you won't like."
The car ride was silent.
They stopped in front of a tall building filled with cameras and reporters.
Lena's heart dropped. "What is this?"
"My world," Adrian said.
Before she could ask more, the car door opened.
Flashes exploded.
Cameras. Voices. Shouting.
"Adrian!"
"Who is she?"
"Is this your girlfriend?"
Lena panicked. "This wasn't part of the deal!"
Adrian leaned close. "Trust me."
He stepped out and pulled her with him.
His hand closed around hers.
The world stopped.
"Mr. Blackwood!" a reporter shouted. "Can you explain why you brought her here?"
Adrian didn't let go of Lena's hand.
"Yes," he said.
Lena's breath caught.
"This," Adrian continued, pulling her closer, "is Lena."
He looked down at her.
"And starting today," he said loudly, "she is under my protection."
The crowd went wild.
Lena whispered, "What are you doing?"
He lowered his voice. "Saving your life."
A reporter shouted, "Are you two together?"
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Lena's head snapped up.
"What?" she hissed.
He smiled for the cameras.
"She's very important to me."
Her heart raced. This was not the deal. This was something else.
Something dangerous.
As flashes blinded her, Lena felt a strange buzzing in her chest.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket.
She looked down.
A message.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
You just broke the first rule.
Her blood ran cold.
She looked up at Adrian.
He was still smiling.
But his eyes told a different story.
Lena is exposed.
The deal is already breaking.
And someone is watching her every move.