Chapter 48 – Into the Lion’s Den

The SUV sliced through the night like a silent predator, devouring the miles between us and the city. The hum of the tires against the road was the only sound filling the tense silence inside the car.

Ethan sat beside me, his jaw tight, his fingers drumming against his knee in a steady calculated and controlled rhythm. His mind was somewhere else, far ahead of us, mapping out the next move, anticipating every possible threat.

I stared out the window, watching as the towering skyscrapers and flickering neon lights of New York faded into darkness, replaced by vast stretches of highway and dense, looming trees. The further we drove, the more it felt like we were leaving civilization itself.

A cold knot twisted in my stomach.

Finally, I exhaled, breaking the silence. “Where exactly is ‘home’?”

Ethan’s gaze flicked to me, but his expression remained unreadable. “Somewhere safe.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “Safe? There’s no such thing anymore.”

He didn’t argue. He didn’t need to. We both knew the truth. Damien had destroyed any illusion of safety the moment his men pulled the trigger.

I crossed my arms. “So what? You’re just going to lock me away in some gilded cage until this is over?”

Ethan’s head turned slightly, his dark eyes pinning me in place. “You’d rather be in a coffin?”

I stiffened, the weight of his words settling over me like a lead blanket.

“You might hate me, Isabella,” he said, voice low and firm, “but I’m the only thing keeping you breathing right now.”

I swallowed hard. I wanted to argue, to fight, but deep down, I knew he was right.

That didn’t mean I had to like it.

I turned away, my fingers gripping the fabric of my jeans as I stared out at the endless stretch of road. The city had disappeared completely now, swallowed by the dense forest lining both sides of the highway. The air felt heavier out here, colder.

We weren’t just leaving the city.

We were leaving everything.

The SUV slowed as we approached a massive iron gate, its dark metal bars stretching high into the sky. A guard in a black suit stepped forward, flashlight in hand, his face shadowed beneath the brim of his cap. He exchanged a brief nod with the driver before stepping aside. The gate groaned open, revealing a long, winding driveway lined with flickering lanterns and perfectly manicured hedges.

I sat up straighter, my pulse kicking up a notch.

Ethan’s ‘home’ wasn’t just a house.

It was a fortress.

As we pulled closer, the estate came into view. A sprawling mansion constructed of sleek black stone and towering glass windows. The architecture was modern, sharp lines and smooth edges, but there was an undeniable air of power to it. Every inch of the property screamed control.

My stomach twisted.

This wasn’t just about keeping me safe.

Ethan was making sure I couldn’t leave.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Before I could reach for the door handle, Ethan was already moving, stepping out into the cool night air.

Then he turned to me.

“Out.”

I stayed put, my fingers tightening around my seatbelt.

His voice dipped lower, quieter but there was steel beneath it. “Isabella.”

I clenched my jaw, then pushed the door open, stepping out onto the gravel driveway. The moment my feet hit the ground, the cold air wrapped around me, sharp and biting against my skin.

The second I was on my feet, Ethan’s hand wrapped around my wrist.

Not roughly. But firm.

I yanked away, my pulse spiking. “Don’t touch me.”

He didn’t argue. He simply turned and walked toward the entrance.

I hesitated for half a second, then followed.

The moment I stepped inside, the doors shut behind me with a heavy, resounding click.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Trapped.

The interior was just as imposing as the outside. Dark wood, sleek marble floors, and dim lighting that cast long, haunting shadows across the walls. Expensive paintings lined the hallway, but there was nothing warm or inviting about them.

This place wasn’t a home.

It was a statement.

Ethan shrugged off his jacket, tossing it onto a nearby chair. Then he turned to me, his sharp gaze sweeping over my face.

“Now what?” I asked, folding my arms.

He leaned against the staircase railing, his expression unreadable. “Now, you listen.”

I scoffed. “To what? More orders?”

“To reality.”

He took a step closer, the space between us vanishing in an instant.

“Damien isn’t just after you, Isabella. He’s after me.” His voice was low, deadly calm. “This isn’t about a power play anymore. It’s war.”

The words sent a chill through me.

I swallowed. “War?”

Ethan nodded. “Damien doesn’t care about money. He doesn’t care about business. He wants control.”

“And you think hiding me here is going to stop him?”

“No,” Ethan admitted. “But it’ll make it harder for him to get to you.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “So I’m just supposed to sit here and wait? While you and Damien tear each other apart?”

Ethan’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping even lower. “I don’t lose wars, Isabella.”

His confidence should have been reassuring.

Instead, it terrified me.

I clenched my fists. “I’m not a pawn in this.”

He tilted his head slightly, studying me. “Aren’t you?”

The words burned.

Before I could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hallway.

A man stepped into view.

Tall. Sharp-featured. Dressed in all black.

His piercing blue eyes flickered with recognition when they landed on me.

Ethan didn’t move, but his tone turned ice-cold.

“You’re late.”

The man smirked. “You didn’t say it was urgent.”

Ethan’s jaw ticked. “It’s always urgent when it comes to Damien.”

The man’s gaze shifted back to me, his expression unreadable.

“So… this is her.”

Something in my stomach twisted.

Who was this man?

Ethan exhaled sharply. “Isabella, meet Logan Pierce.”

Logan’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.

“The woman at the center of the storm.”

I swallowed hard, every instinct screaming that I wasn’t going to like what came next.