Selena moved quickly, her bare feet making no sound against the cold tiles of the corridor. Every creak of the old mansion felt amplified in the silence of the night. She clutched a small bag to her chest, its contents hastily gathered over the past few days: a water bottle, some bread wrapped in cloth, and a map she’d managed to find in one of the old storage rooms. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had. Adrian’s men were stationed everywhere, their stern faces and sharp eyes making her feel like a mouse trapped in a maze full of predators. She had to time her movements carefully, slipping between shadows when their backs were turned. But no matter how cautious she was, the feeling of being watched never left her.Earlier that evening, she had overheard two guards whispering about Dmitri. The tension in their voices had confirmed what Adrian refused to tell her: Dmitri was more than just a threat. He was dangerous, and he was close. Selena wasn’t sure what Dmitri wanted from her, b
Selena sat by the window, staring out at the gray morning sky. Rain dripped steadily from the edges of the roof, creating small puddles on the cobblestone paths below. She wrapped her arms around her knees, feeling more trapped than ever. Viktor’s warning last night had shaken her, but it hadn’t made things any clearer. If anything, she felt even more confused. Dmitri was dangerous—that much she believed. But Adrian wasn’t safe either. His mood shifted so quickly, like a storm rolling in without warning. One moment, he seemed almost kind, the next, he was cold and controlling. How could she trust someone like that? Her mother’s sudden appearance had only added to the confusion. When she had appeared in Selena’s room the night before, Selena had been too stunned to speak at first. Her mother had been in hiding, waiting for the right moment to talk to her. “Adrian is dangerous,” her mother had said in a low voice, her eyes darting toward the door. “But Dmitri is worse. Whatever yo
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the Russo estate. Selena wandered through the gardens, her mind heavy with unanswered questions. Every step she took felt like a march deeper into a labyrinth of deceit and danger. Adrian had been distant all morning, but Selena knew better than to assume he wasn’t watching. He always was. His presence lingered like a ghost, impossible to ignore. "Selena." His voice came from behind her, deep and steady. She turned, her pulse quickening. Adrian stood a few feet away, his dark suit immaculate, his expression unreadable. "Walk with me." She hesitated, then nodded. They strolled silently for a while, the gravel crunching beneath their feet. Selena finally broke the silence. "What is this about, Adrian?" He stopped abruptly and turned to her, his gaze piercing. "I want to make sure you understand the stakes. This isn’t a game you can play half-heartedly." "I never said it was," she replied, her voice steady. Adrian ste
The air in Selena’s room was heavy, her thoughts spinning out of control as she paced back and forth. Dmitri’s threats had always loomed like storm clouds on the horizon, but now they were striking far too close. Alina had been taken, and her chest tightened every time she thought about what might be happening to her. Alina was just an innocent coworker and thoughts of her getting hurt because of her was....Selena stopped at the window, pressing her head against the cool glass. The estate grounds stretched before her, quiet and serene, a contrast to the thoughts in her mind. She couldn’t do this alone, and the thought of asking Adrian for help was unthinkable. Adrian. He was her last hope, but he was also the one person she wasn’t sure she could trust. His power was undeniable, his influence unmatched—but his motives? They were something she couldn't trust.The sharp knock on her door made her flinch. She turned, her heart pounding as the door swung open to reveal Adrian. He didn
Sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Selena stirred awake, blinking against the brightness. Her body ached from the tension of the past few days, but the faint hum of voices drew her out of bed. Rubbing her eyes, she slipped on a robe and padded down the hall. The sight in the dining room stopped her in her tracks. Alina sat at the breakfast table, her hair brushed neatly, though her face still bore faint signs of exhaustion. Across from her was Selena’s mother, quietly sipping tea as if this were a normal morning. “Alina?” Selena’s voice wavered, half-convinced she was dreaming. Alina turned, her tired eyes lighting up when she saw Selena. “Morning,” she said, her voice soft but steady. Selena hurried to her side, gripping her shoulders gently. “You’re okay. You’re really okay.” Alina nodded, her gaze dropping. “Thanks to you.” Selena sat across from her, her heart heavy with relief and guilt. “How did it happen? How did they take you?” Alina hesitated, her han
The evening air felt oppressive as Selena made her way to Adrian’s study. Her steps were heavy, but her determination was solid. She couldn’t keep living like this. Every moment spent in this house was another reminder of how far she had fallen under Adrian’s control, and it had to end. Tonight, she would tell him the truth—she was leaving. The door to the study was ajar, and she pushed it open without knocking. Adrian sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair with a glass of whiskey in hand. His dark eyes flicked up at her, cold and calculating, as though he had been expecting her. “Selena,” he drawled, his voice low and smooth. “To what do I owe this unannounced visit?” She swallowed hard, willing her voice to remain steady. “I want to leave.” His hand stilled mid-air, the glass halfway to his lips. A beat of silence passed before he set it down and laughed—a deep, mocking sound that sent a chill down her spine. “Leave?” he repeated, standing from his chair. The amusement
Selena stood in front of the mirror, her lips pressed into a tight line as she reluctantly fastened the last strap of the red gown. The thin, revealing fabric clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and furious. Adrian had taken control of so many aspects of her life, and now, even her clothing wasn’t safe. Her reflection glared back at her, defiant despite her discomfort. "Fine", she thought. "If he wants me to wear this, I’ll wear it. But I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me broken."When she stepped out of the room, the guard and maid exchanged glances but said nothing. She ignored them, lifting her chin as they escorted her down the hall and outside, where Adrian waited by the car. He was leaning casually against the sleek black vehicle, dressed in a tailored suit that hugged his frame perfectly. His dark hair was slicked back, and the faintest hint of stubble lined his jaw. Selena froze for a moment, caught off guard by ho
Selena’s heart pounded as Adrian led her to a private booth overlooking the bloodstained arena. The VIP section was luxurious in stark contrast to the brutality below. Plush seats, gold trim, and thick curtains made it look more like a throne room than a place to watch men fight to the death. Selena gripped the edge of the chair Adrian directed her to, her knuckles white as her eyes fixed on the scene below. Two men circled each other in the ring, their faces hardened with desperation. The crowd cheered wildly as one lunged, slamming his opponent to the ground. “Why are we here?” Selena whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise. Adrian leaned back in his seat, swirling the glass of dark liquor in his hand. “To teach you a lesson,” he replied smoothly. Her gaze snapped to his, confusion and anger swirling in her expression. “A lesson? What kind of lesson involves this barbarity?” He tilted his head, smirking faintly. “Patience, Selena. Watch.” She wanted to refuse,
The door swung open.Adrian's fingers stilled over the pages of the file, his cold gaze lifting to the entrance.Nathan, who had been watching him with a smirk, turned his head slightly, his amusement deepening as he took in the sight before them.A woman stood at the doorway, her figure poised yet confident, her eyes locked onto Adrian with an intensity that hadn’t faded despite the months.Isabelle.Adrian’s jaw tightened.Shock was not an emotion he allowed himself to feel often, but for a split second, it gripped him. He had gotten rid of her. He had driven her away himself, ensuring that she had no way of returning. Yet here she was, standing in his office as if she had never left.How?Who had helped her?Adrian’s gaze darkened as his mind worked through the possibilities.Nathan’s smirk widened as he observed the exchange, clearly entertained by the situation.“Now this,” Nathan mused, leaning back in his chair, “this is interesting.”Isabelle stepped forward, her eyes never le
The stench of blood was suffocating.Nina staggered as Jason’s shove sent her stumbling forward, her eyes landing on GT’s lifeless body. He was unrecognizable now, his face swollen, his skin burned, his bones shattered. His once defiant eyes were now dull, lifeless.The sight made bile rise in her throat.She swallowed hard, forcing herself to remain still, but her body betrayed her. Her knees trembled, her fingers twitched, her heartbeat pounded so violently that she could hear it echoing in her ears.“You are quiet now, huh?” Jason sneered, standing behind her. “Not so bold anymore, are you?”Damien scoffed. “She thought she could outsmart the boss. Thought she could play both sides.” He let out a humorless chuckle. “Look where that got you, Nina.”Nina’s throat was dry. She wanted to say something, to defend herself, to plead but what was the point? There were no words that could save her now.She knew what they thought of her.A traitor.And the worst part?They were right.Jason’
The silence that followed was unbearable.The room felt colder now.The room felt like it was closing in on her. Nina’s pulse roared in her ears, drowning out everything else.Nina couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe.Nina forced herself to breathe, though each inhale felt like swallowing glass.Her body was locked in place, her knees weak, her stomach twisted in violent knots. The chair in front of her, the chair GT was tied to was no longer just a chair. It was an altar of agony, and he was the sacrifice.Jason and Damien stood frozen behind her, but she didn’t dare turn to look at them.This wasn’t about them.This was about her.He had known for a while.He had been waiting for her to slip.To reveal herself.To prove her betrayal.And she just had.Nina clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms as she fought to keep her expression neutral.Adrian hadn’t said a word since she pulled off the cloth but studied her in silence, as if savoring the moment.Then. “Matteo.”T
The alarms had finally gone silent.The estate was still tense, but the frantic search for GT had died down. Guards returned to their posts, whispers filling the halls about how the bastard had somehow slipped through their fingers.At least, that’s what everyone believed.Nina sat stiffly in Adrian’s office, her hands resting on her lap, fingers curled inwards to keep from trembling. Across from her, Jason and Damien sat just as rigid, though their expressions were unreadable.Adrian had called them in without explanation. That alone was unsettling.The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.Adrian leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lazily against the desk. His sharp gaze flickered over them, lingering on Nina for a beat longer than necessary before he finally spoke.“I gave you one job.”His voice was quiet. Too quiet.Jason tensed. Damien exhaled slowly. Nina forced herself to hold Adrian’s gaze, though her stomach twisted violently.“And yet,” Adrian continued, his
The estate was in chaos.Guards ran in every direction, speaker buzzing with urgent updates as they searched for GT. The sound of boots pounding against marble floors echoed through the hallways.Nina walked out of Adrian’s office with controlled steps, her mind racing despite her calm exterior.Adrian had bought her story.For now.But it wasn’t over not even close.If GT was caught, it would only be a matter of time before Adrian uncovered the truth. And if that happened, she was as good as dead.Her fingers curled into a fist at her side.She had to think.Fast.As she turned the corner, Jason and Damien were already barking orders to the guards. Jason’s sharp eyes flicked to her the moment she appeared."You’re staying out of this, remember?" he said coldly.Nina forced a smirk. "Didn’t realize you were the one giving orders now."Jason didn’t smile. Neither did Damien."If we don’t find GT soon," Damien muttered, "Boss Adrian is going to make an example out of someone."They did
Nina barely slept that night.She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with possibilities. No matter how much she tried to push it away, one fact remained GT knew about her secret. She had two choices.Follow orders and bring GT in.Or find a way to make sure if he is caught he never spoke.Neither option was good. The first meant putting GT directly under Adrian’s scrutiny, where he’d have no way out. The second meant betraying Adrian before she fully understood his endgame. And Adrian saw everything.She sat up, rubbing a hand over her face. She needed a plan, but nothing concrete came to mind. Her hidden boss wouldn’t be pleased to know she was tangled to something like this. Did they expect her to eliminate GT? Frame someone else? Or was she supposed to use this to her advantage?The thought made her stomach churn.She stood and moved toward the small bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. Her reflection stared back at her, eyes hollow from exhaustion, lip
The moment Nina stepped out of Adrian’s office, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She didn’t need to check to know who it was.Her hidden boss.Her fingers tightened around the device before she slipped into an empty hallway, away from prying ears. She took a breath and answered.“You’re late,” the voice on the other end was cold, sharp. “Why haven’t you reported in?”Nina’s pulse remained steady. “There was nothing to report until now.”Silence.Then, “Start talking.”She kept her tone neutral as she relayed everything that had happened so far, Matteo and Rosco’s test, the man in the chair, the blood, the way Adrian had summoned her afterward. But she left out one crucial detail.She didn’t tell her that she had been ordered to kill.She didn’t know why she hid it. Maybe because she once saw the man with him. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was self-preservation. But something told her that part needed to stay buried, for now.Her hidden boss was quiet for a long moment. Then, a low
Nina’s fingers curled around the handle of the knife, her grip tightening as she stared at the man slumped in the chair. His breathing was ragged, blood dripping from a cut on his temple. He was barely conscious, unaware of the danger he was in.Matteo and Rosco stood nearby, watching her every move.This was it.A test of loyalty.Her heart pounded against her ribs. If she refused, they would know she wasn’t truly on Adrian’s side. If she hesitated too long, they would suspect her. And if she actually went through with it…Her stomach twisted.She could feel Matteo’s gaze boring into her. “What is taking so long?” he asked, amusement lacing his voice.Rosco, silent as always, took a step closer. “Kill him.”The knife felt heavy in her hand. The man in the chair groaned, his head lolling forward. He didn’t even know she was the one holding his life in her hands.She swallowed hard.Think, Nina. Think.She needed to act fast.Her mind raced, searching for a way out, an excuse, anything
The compound was quiet as Nina stepped outside, the night air cool against her skin. A faint glow from the training grounds cast long shadows across the courtyard, and her stomach twisted with unease.Matteo stood in the center, his hands behind his back, his face unreadable. Rosco was nearby, arms crossed, observing everyone with his usual detached expression.The recruits gathered, murmuring amongst themselves, confused by the sudden nighttime summons. Nina kept her face neutral, though her pulse was racing.She saw selene and Victoria also. Something wasn’t right.Matteo’s gaze swept over them before landing on her.“You all think you are ready ,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “That you’ve trained enough to survive in this world.”His lips curled slightly. “Let’s find out.”Without warning, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device, pressing a button.A loud explosion rocked the compound.Nina’s breath caught as a section of the courtyard erupted into flames, s