Torn Between Two

Chapter7:Into the Lion’s Den

Mia sat at the diner counter, her fingers gripping the warm coffee cup the waitress had handed her. The steam curled into the air, but she barely noticed. Her mind was stuck on one thing—Liam.

She had sent the message. Now all she could do was wait.

The bell above the door jingled, and her body tensed involuntarily. Every time someone walked in, she expected to see Adrian’s men. Or Adrian himself.

Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last.

Then, a familiar voice.

“Mia.”

She turned sharply—Liam.

He stood just inside the doorway, scanning the diner until his eyes found her. Relief washed over his face as he strode toward her, concern etched into every movement.

The moment he reached her, he crouched slightly to meet her gaze. “Are you okay?”

Mia exhaled shakily. “Not really.”

Liam didn’t hesitate. He pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, his warmth instantly surrounding her.

“We need to get out of here,” he said. “Adrian won’t stop looking.”

Mia bit her lip. “I know.”

Liam helped her up, keeping his hand lightly on her arm as they walked toward the exit. The second they stepped outside, a gust of wind hit her, sending a shiver down her spine.

Liam led her toward a black car parked across the street. “Come on. We’ll talk somewhere safe.”

Mia hesitated. Trusting Liam meant opening old wounds. But staying meant falling back into Adrian’s grasp.

She took a deep breath—and got in.

As Liam pulled away from the curb, Mia dared to hope for the first time in a long time.

But she should have known better.

A black SUV appeared in the rearview mirror. Following them.

Liam’s jaw tightened. “We have company.”

Mia’s stomach dropped.

Adrian had found her.