CHAPTER FOUR: THE DEAL
907 Words
Brenda did not move.
Those words stayed in her head like a warning she could not escape.
"They are already inside the building," Adrian said.
Her chest tightened. "Who are they?" she asked Adrian.
Adrian did not answer immediately. His eyes shifted toward the door then the hallway like he was tracking time itself.
"People who do not knock twice," he said.
Brenda shook her head. "This is insane," she said. "You show up in my apartment, tell me my brother is involved in something I do not understand. Now you are saying people are inside my building?" she asked Adrian.
Adrian stepped closer, calm but firm. "You do not have time to argue," he told Brenda.
"I am not leaving with you," Brenda said.
A pause followed.
"Then stay," Adrian said quietly, "and wait to find out why your brother was used as bait, "he told Brenda.
Brenda went still. "Bait?" she asked.
"He did not just disappear," Adrian said. "He was placed there to pull you out, " he explained to Brenda.
Her throat tightened. "Pull me out for what?" she asked Adrian.
"To expose you" Adrian said.
A metallic click came from the hallway outside Brenda's apartment.
Brenda flinched.
The lights outside her door flickered once, then went off completely.
Silence followed.
Adrian's voice dropped. "We are leaving," he said. "Now, " he told Brenda.
Brenda backed away. "I said I am not going anywhere," she said.
Another sound came from the door lock. Beep, beep.
Someone was trying to open it.
Adrian grabbed her wrist. "Do not argue, " he said.
"Do not touch me " Brenda snapped, pulling back.
Adrian was already moving, pulling Brenda toward the back exit.
Brenda resisted. "This is my house, " she said.
"Not anymore, " Adrian said. "Not tonight, " he told Brenda.
They moved fast through the hallway. No sound outside. No neighbors. Just emptiness that felt wrong.
Brenda's heart pounded. "Who are you really?" she asked Adrian.
Adrian did not look at Brenda. "Someone is keeping you alive if you listen, " he said.
"That is not an answer, " Brenda said.
"It is the one that matters, " Adrian said.
They reached the door. Adrian pushed it open.
A black car was already waiting outside.
Brenda stopped. "You planned this? " she said.
"I planned for you not to die, " Adrian replied.
Before she could argue, he pulled her inside the car.
The car moved instantly.
Brenda turned to the window. Her apartment looked normal again like nothing had happened.
Her voice shook. "What just happened?" she asked Adrian.
"A warning, " Adrian said.
"For what?" Brenda asked.
"For you, " Adrian said.
She frowned. "Why me?" she asked.
"Because your name is now attached to something " Adrian said.
"The Knight Project?" Brenda asked.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "It was, " he said. "Until someone changed it " he explained to Brenda.
Brenda turned sharply. "Who?" she asked.
He hesitated.
"Marcus Hale " Adrian said.
The name meant nothing to Brenda. The way Adrian said it made it heavy.
"I do not know him " Brenda said.
"You do not need to " Adrian said. "He knows you " he told Brenda.
Silence filled the car.
Brenda leaned back. " What now?" she asked. "You are k********g me every time something goes wrong?" she asked Adrian.
"You are not kidn*pped " Adrian said.
"Oh really?" Brenda asked.
"You are under protection " Adrian said.
"I did not ask for protection " Brenda said.
Adrian looked at Brenda. "You do not get to ask " he said.
That shut her up.
The car slowed.
"This is not your office " Brenda said.
"No " Adrian said. "Safer Place " he told Brenda.
"Safer from what?" Brenda asked.
Adrian did not answer. Instead, he handed her a file.
"Open it " Adrian said.
Brenda hesitated, then did.
Inside were photos. Her apartment, her workplace, her movements her meeting with Adrian earlier.
Her stomach dropped. "You have been watching me?" she asked Adrian.
"I had to know who was targeting you " Adrian said.
"So I am a case to you?" Brenda asked.
A pause followed.
"No " Adrian said finally. "A liability " he said.
Brenda froze at that word.
Before she could respond the car jolted violently.
The driver cursed under his breath.
Brenda grabbed the seat. "What was that?" she asked.
Adrian looked outside instantly.
His expression changed.
"Do not stop " he ordered.
Another car appeared behind them.
Fast. Closing in.
Brendas breath hitched. "Adrian, " she said.
"Stay down " Adrian said.
"What is happening?" Brenda asked.
"Now " Adrian said.
The car behind them accelerated.
Brenda turned in time to see it coming closer.
Adrian reached inside his coat.
Brenda saw it.
A gun.
Her eyes widened. "You said I was safe " she said.
"I said listen " Adrian snapped.
The chasing car swerved.
Brenda braced herself.
Adrian leaned forward eyes locked on the road.
Then he spoke, low and steady.
"This is not a warning anymore " Adrian said.
A pause followed.
"They are not trying to scare you " Adrian said.
Brenda's pulse spiked.
Adrian turned slightly toward Brenda.
"They are trying to take you alive " he said.
And as the car, behind them closed in for impact Adrian added quietly -
"Which means, Brenda you matter more than I told you " he said.
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