CHAPTER 3

                      Emily glared at Ethan, her hands shaking with anger. She couldn't believe what he had done to her. She had trusted him, and he had betrayed her in the worst way possible.

"You promised to protect me," Emily said, her voice low and menacing. "But instead, you locked me up like an animal. Why did you do it, Ethan? Why did you put me through this?"

Ethan looked at Emily, his eyes filled with sadness and regret. "I didn't have a choice, Emily," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I made a deal with someone, and they wanted you. They threatened to hurt me if I didn't give them what they wanted. I had to do it, Emily. I had to keep you safe."

Emily scoffed. "Keep me safe? You call this safe? You've put my life in danger, Ethan. You've ruined everything."

Ethan walked over to Emily and took her hand. "I know, Emily. I know I've made a terrible mistake, but I'm trying to make it right. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you, Emily. Please, you have to believe me."

Emily pulled her hand away from Ethan's grasp. "Believe you? After what you've done? I don't think so, Ethan. I trusted you, and you betrayed me. I don't know how I can ever forgive you for this."

Ethan looked at Emily, his eyes filled with sadness and pain. "I understand, Emily. I know I've made a huge mistake, but I'm not the enemy here. There are people out there who want to hurt me, and they'll stop at nothing to get what they want. You have to trust me, Emily. I'm the only one who can protect you."

Emily shook her head. "I don't believe you, Ethan. You've lied to me before. Why should I believe you now?"

Ethan sighed. "I don't blame you for not trusting me, Emily. But you have to understand, I'm doing everything in my power to keep you safe. Please, let me help you."

Emily looked at Ethan, her eyes filled with anger and distrust. She didn't know what to believe anymore. All she knew was that she had to get out of there, away from Ethan and his dangerous games.

"I want to leave," Emily said finally, her voice firm.

Ethan looked at her, his eyes pleading. "Please, Emily. You can't leave. It's not safe out there. You'll be in danger."

"I'll take my chances," Emily said, standing up from the bed. "I'd rather be out there, facing the danger head-on than stay here with you."

Ethan looked at Emily, his eyes filled with sadness and regret. "I understand, Emily. I won't stop you from leaving. But please, be careful. And if you ever need my help, don't hesitate to call me."

Emily glared at Ethan. "I don't need your help, Ethan. I can take care of myself."

With that, Emily stormed out of the room, determined to get as far away from Ethan as possible.

As she walked down the hallway, Emily heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Ethan following her.

"I'm coming with you," Ethan said, his eyes serious.

Emily shook her head. "No way, Ethan. I don't want you anywhere near me. You've caused enough trouble already."

"Ethan," a voice said from behind them. Emily turned around and saw a tall, muscular man walking towards them.

"Who are you?" Emily asked, eyeing the man warily.

The man looked at Emily, his eyes narrowing. "I'm a friend of Ethan's. He called me to help protect you."

Emily scoffed. "I don't need your protection. I don't even know who you are."

"Ethan told me about you," the man said. "He said you're in danger and that he needs my help to keep you safe."

Emily looked at Ethan, her eyes blazing. "Is this true? Did you bring someone else into this?"

Ethan looked at Emily, his expression pained. "I had to, Emily. I couldn't protect you on my own. Please, just trust me."

Emily hesitated for a moment, considering Ethan's words. She knew she needed help, but she didn't want to put her trust in anyone else. However, she also knew that she couldn't handle this alone.

"Fine," Emily said finally. "But if anything happens, I'm holding both of you responsible."

The man nodded. "I understand. My name is Jack, by the way."

Emily nodded curtly. "Let's go."

As they walked out of the building, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She looked around, but she didn't see anyone suspicious. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that danger was lurking around every corner.

Suddenly, a black SUV screeched to a stop in front of them, and several men jumped out, brandishing guns.

"Get down!" Jack shouted, pulling Emily and Ethan to the ground.

Emily's heart was pounding in her chest as she heard the sound of gunshots ringing out. She closed her eyes, praying that she wouldn't get hit.

When the gunfire stopped, Jack helped Emily and Ethan to their feet. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking them over for any injuries.

Emily nodded, still in shock. "What the hell is going on?"

Ethan looked grim. "I think we're dealing with some dangerous people. We need to get out of here."

As they ran down the street, Emily couldn't help but wonder who was after her and why. She knew she had to find out the truth if she was going to survive. But first, she had to stay alive long enough to uncover the secrets that Ethan was keeping from her.

As they rounded a corner, they came face-to-face with a group of heavily armed men. Jack pushed Emily behind him, readying his own weapon.

"We have to fight," Jack said, his voice firm.

Emily's hands were shaking with fear as she watched the men approach. She had never been in a situation like this before, and she didn't know if she could handle it.

But as the men got closer, Emily felt a surge of adrenaline. She wasn't going to let them hurt her or the people she cared about. She raised her fists, ready to fight.

As the two groups clashed, Emily felt a sense of satisfaction as she landed punch after punch. She had never felt so alive, so in control.

But as the fighting intensified, Emily realized that they were outnumbered. She could see the fear in Ethan and Jack's eyes, and she knew they had to retreat.

"Fall back!" Jack shouted, grabbing Emily's arm and pulling her away.

As they ran down the street, Emily could hear the sound of sirens in the distance. She knew they had to get out of there before the police arrived.

But as they turned a corner, they were met with another group of armed men. Emily felt a wave of despair wash over her as she realized they were trapped.

"We have to surrender," Ethan said, his voice shaking.

Emily shook her head. "No. We can't give up now. We have to keep fighting."

As the two groups prepared to clash, Emily's mind raced. She knew they needed a way out, but she couldn't think of anything.

Then, she saw it. A narrow alleyway to their left. It was their only chance.

"Follow me!" Emily shouted, darting into the alley.

Ethan and Jack followed close behind, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls.

As they ran deeper into the alley, Emily could hear the sound of their pursuers getting closer. She knew they had to lose them.

Suddenly, Emily spotted a ladder leading up to a fire escape. It was their only chance.

"Up here!" Emily shouted, pointing to the ladder.

They scrambled up the ladder as fast as they could, the sound of their pursuers getting closer with each passing moment.

Just as they reached the top of the ladder, the first of their pursuers appeared at the bottom of the fire escape.

Emily and her companions raced across the roof, the sound of gunshots ringing out behind them.

They reached the edge of the building and Emily looked down. It was a long way to the ground, but she knew it was their only chance.

"Jump!" Emily shouted, leaping off the building.

Ethan and Jack followed her, their bodies hurtling towards the pavement far below.

As they fell, Emily felt a sense of weightlessness. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

Just as they were about to hit the ground, Emily heard the sound of tires screeching to a halt. She opened her eyes to see a black SUV waiting for them.

"Get in!" the driver shouted, flinging open the door.

Emily and her companions scrambled into the car, and they sped off into the night.

As they drove away, Emily couldn't believe what had just happened. She had been in a life-and-death situation, and she had come out alive. She felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, but she also knew that this was far from over.

"We need to figure out who's behind this," Emily said, breaking the silence.

Ethan nodded. "I know. But we have to be careful. These people are dangerous."

Emily looked at Ethan, determination in her eyes. "I'm not afraid. I'll do whatever it takes to uncover the truth."

Ethan smiled. "I know you will."