Chapter 4
1395 Words
Emma couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in her chest after seeing the man in the car. His smirk wasn’t just unnerving—it was threatening, like a silent promise of something sinister.
As Liam’s car sped toward his penthouse, the city lights streaking past her window, Emma stole a glance at him. His jaw was clenched, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something colder, harder.
“Whoever that was, they didn’t look friendly,” she said, breaking the tense silence.
“No,” Liam replied, his voice sharp. “They didn’t.”
Emma crossed her arms. “So are you going to tell me who he is, or are you just going to keep brooding over there?”
Liam’s eyes flicked to hers, the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver down her spine. “Not here,” he said. “We’ll talk when we’re inside.”
Emma sighed, leaning back in her seat. For all the control Liam seemed to have over his life, it was becoming increasingly clear that his world was far messier than he let on.
Liam’s penthouse was just as intimidating as she had imagined—floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city, sleek furniture in shades of black and gray, and a minimalist design that screamed wealth and power.
Emma stepped inside, feeling completely out of place. She set her bags down by the door and turned to Liam, who was already pouring himself a drink at the bar.
“Alright,” she said, crossing her arms. “Talk. Who was that guy?”
Liam took a long sip of his drink before answering. “His name is Victor Hale. He’s a… complication.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “That’s vague.”
“He’s also dangerous,” Liam continued, ignoring her comment. “Stay away from him. If he approaches you, call me immediately.”
Emma’s stomach twisted. “Why would he approach me? I’m just your fake fiancée, remember?”
Liam’s eyes darkened. “That’s exactly why.”
Emma frowned, trying to piece it together. “Are you saying this Victor guy is going to come after me because of you?”
“Yes,” Liam said bluntly. “He’ll see you as leverage.”
“Leverage for what?”
Liam hesitated, his grip tightening around his glass. “Let’s just say Victor and I have history. And he doesn’t take kindly to people getting in his way.”
Emma let out a bitter laugh. “Fantastic. So not only am I trapped in a fake relationship with a manipulative billionaire, but now I’ve got a target on my back too? Great deal.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. “You knew what you were getting into.”
“No,” Emma shot back, her voice rising. “I knew I was selling my dignity for money. I didn’t know I was signing up for whatever this is!”
Liam set his glass down with a sharp clink, his calm mask slipping. “Do you want out, Emma? Because you can walk away right now. But don’t come crying to me when your family loses everything.”
The words hit her like a slap, and for a moment, she couldn’t speak. Her anger simmered just beneath the surface, but she swallowed it down, knowing he was right.
“Forget it,” she muttered, turning away.
Later that night, Emma stood on the penthouse balcony, the cold wind biting at her skin. The city stretched out before her, glittering and alive, but she felt small and trapped.
The sliding door opened behind her, and she didn’t need to turn around to know it was Liam.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he said.
Emma sighed. “Are you going to tell me the balcony is dangerous too?”
“No,” Liam said, stepping beside her. “But you are.”
She glanced at him, confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re reckless,” Liam said, his tone softer now. “You don’t think about the consequences of your actions. That’s going to get you hurt.”
Emma bristled. “I’m not reckless. I’m desperate. There’s a difference.”
Liam didn’t reply immediately, his gaze fixed on the city below. “Desperation makes people do stupid things,” he said finally. “I know that better than anyone.”
There was something in his voice—a vulnerability she hadn’t heard before. Emma studied him, wondering what secrets he was hiding behind those sharp suits and cold stares.
“Victor,” she said quietly. “What did you do to make him hate you?”
Liam’s jaw clenched. “It’s not what I did. It’s what I have.”
“And what’s that?”
“Power,” Liam said simply. “Victor wants it, and he’ll destroy anyone who stands in his way. Including you.”
Emma shivered, not from the cold but from the weight of his words.
The next day, Emma decided to distract herself by unpacking her things and trying to make sense of her new life. But the uneasy feeling lingered, and she couldn’t shake the memory of Victor’s smirk.
Around noon, she received a text from Liam:
Stay in the penthouse. Don’t answer the door for anyone.
Emma frowned, her anxiety spiking. She was about to call him when her phone buzzed again. This time, it was an unknown number.
Hesitating, she answered. “Hello?”
“Well, aren’t you a hard woman to find,” came a low, mocking voice.
Emma’s blood ran cold. “Who is this?”
“Let’s just say I’m a friend of Liam’s,” the voice said, a dark chuckle following. “But don’t worry. I’m much more charming than he is.”
Emma’s hand tightened around the phone. “What do you want?”
“I want to meet you,” the man said. “Let’s say… tonight at eight. There’s a little café on Fifth and Main. You know the one?”
“No,” Emma said firmly. “I’m not meeting you anywhere.”
The man laughed again, the sound sending chills down her spine. “Oh, I think you will. Unless, of course, you want your family to find out just how messy your new arrangement really is.”
Emma’s heart stopped. “What are you talking about?”
“See you at eight, Emma,” the man said, his tone dripping with smugness. “Don’t be late.”
The line went dead.
By the time Liam returned that evening, Emma was pacing the living room, her thoughts a chaotic mess.
“Emma,” Liam said as he stepped inside, immediately noticing her state. “What happened?”
She turned to him, her eyes blazing. “Victor called me.”
Liam froze, his expression darkening. “What did he say?”
“He wants to meet tonight,” Emma said, her voice trembling. “And he threatened my family.”
Liam swore under his breath, his calm demeanor shattering. “You’re not going.”
“I don’t think I have a choice,” Emma snapped.
“Yes, you do,” Liam said firmly. “You stay here. I’ll handle Victor.”
Emma shook her head. “He’ll just come after me again. Or worse, he’ll hurt my family.”
Liam stepped closer, his voice low and intense. “Do you trust me, Emma?”
She hesitated, caught off guard by the question. “I don’t know.”
“Then start,” Liam said. “Because if you go to that meeting, you’re walking straight into a trap.”
Emma stared at him, her mind racing. She wanted to believe him, but the fear clawing at her chest wouldn’t let her.
At exactly eight o’clock, Emma stood outside the café, her heart pounding. She knew she was making a mistake, but the image of her family kept her rooted in place.
The door opened, and Victor stepped out, his smirk as menacing as ever.
“Right on time,” he said, his eyes gleaming.
Before Emma could respond, a black SUV screeched to a halt in front of the café. The doors flew open, and two men in suits stepped out, their expressions cold and menacing.
Victor’s smirk widened. “I told you, Emma. You should’ve stayed home.”
- Writer
