Chapter 2: The Price Of Protection
1006 Words
The storm outside was weaker now. Only drops of rain on the glass with small thunder. Isla sat in the chair in the corner, hugging her knees, her body shaking. Her mind was full of Damian, his men and Adrian’s voice.“You’ll stay here tonight.” The words kept playing in her head like a chain. Isla whispered to herself. This is not real. No, no! Then she heard him. You’ll make yourself sick. The voice made her jump. Adrian was by the piano, his shirt open at the neck. He looked almost soft, but his eyes were hard. “I’m fine,” Isla said, her throat sore from crying.'You are shaking,' Adrian said. And when you lie, your hands curl. Isla looked down. Her hand was in a fist. He saw it. He noticed.He walked closer, slowly. “You think you can hide fear? Fear is louder than words.” 'I don’t owe you anything,' she tried to sound strong, but her voice cracked. He smiled a little. You owe me your life. Twice. First when you ran into my suite. Second, when I didn’t hand you over to Damian. Twice? 'That doesn’t mean I belong to you,' Isla said. She gave a weak laugh. Adrian’s voice stayed calm. Nothing here is free. Protection has a cost.He said her name “Isla”.She froze. She didn’t tell him her name. How did you know my name? She asked. He smirked. “Damian digs into lives. So do I.”Her chest went tight. Did he know about her mother too?“Don’t touch her,” she whispered.Adrian’s eyes lit up. Ah. Your mother. Weakness confirmed.Tears burnt her eyes. “Please. She’s sick. She has no one else. Don’t hurt her. I’ll—”“You’ll what?” His voice was calm but sharp. “Sell yourself? . She said nothing. You’re not just afraid. You’re ready to break yourself for love. That makes you dangerous. Or easy to destroy. He poured himself a drink, speaking like nothing mattered. Then a crash came from the door. The wood broke. 'It was Damian,' he shouted. Adrian! Stop playing games. She is mine. Isla froze again. Adrian put his glass down. No fear. Only annoyed. He walked to her, bent close. “You have two choices,” he said. His face was near hers. “Go out there; Damian will own you, or stay, and you are mine.”“Yours?” Isla whispered.Yes. Mine to protect. Mine to break. Mine to keep. The door shook harder, with men shouting outside. Her chest hurt. She looked at the door. Damian calling her name. She looked at Adrian. His eyes steady, waiting. Her tears fell. I’ll stay. Something in his eyes turned dark and satisfied. The door broke open. Men rushed in with guns. Adrian moved fast. He had a gun too. The first shot rang out. Isla screamed and covered her ears. The room turned to chaos. In her heart she knew the truth: she had chosen the devil. And there was no going back. The room blew up before Isla could even scream. One second Damian was reaching for her. The next second, a bullet smashed the vase by him, glass flying everywhere. Smoke and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. The chandelier above shook with every shot.“Take her!” Adrian’s voice cut sharp through it all.Two men in black grabbed Isla, pulling her back to the wall. She stumbled. Her heart beat too hard, too fast. Guns firing. Tables falling. Floor red. Damian’s men are losing. Adrian moved like nothing touched him. Suit black, now bloody. Every shot he fired, someone dropped. Damian was hiding and yelling, “Isla, run!” Then Adrian’s bullet hit his shoulder. He fell back. Adrian laughed softly. “This is saving her?” You dragged her into a fight you couldn’t win.Adrian put his gun away like it was nothing. He walked to Damian and crouched in front of him. His face was calm, almost soft. “You had your chance.”Damian spat blood. “She’ll never love you. Not ever.”Adrian smiled slowly. “Love doesn’t matter. She doesn’t need to love me. She only needs to be mine.” His men dragged Damian off, and blood was on the floor. Isla was shaking very hard. She couldn’t breathe. Adrian turned to her.'Look at me,' he said. 'You’re shaking,' he said softly. “Is it fear?” She whispered, 'What else would it be?' Adrian’s smile cut sharp. He bent close, his breath very hot on her skin.“Desire feels the same.” Her heart jumped, betraying her. “No,” she whispered. Adrian chuckled low. “Lies taste bitter. “Don’t lie to me.” Tears rolled down her face. “You’re a monster.” And yet, he whispered near her ear, you chose me. Don’t act like you didn’t want the dark.His words pressed into her. Chains she couldn’t break.He held her chin, making her look at him. Damian is gone. More will come. Men who think they can touch what’s mine. I’ll kill them all before I let anyone take you. “You don’t own me,” Isla whispered, broken. Adrian’s voice was steady. “I already do. From the moment you said yes, you stopped being yours.” The words cut her. He held out his hand. Open palm. Not a request. A command. “Walk with me.” Her chest rose and fell fast. If she refused, he would drag her. Maybe worse. Her hand shook, but she put it in his. His grip closed tight, his thumb on her wrist, firm, sure. His smile was dark and proud. “Good girl.” They walked past the broken hall, glass on the floor, blood everywhere. Isla’s steps were weak, but she moved with him.The worst truth sank into her chest.And Isla knew this nightmare was just starting. And even worse, some part of her wanted him.
- Writer
