Chapter16
909 Words
Serena bolted down the stairwell, boots slamming against the crumbling steps. Dope’s footsteps echoed just behind her. The air was heavy with dust and something acrid like burnt chemicals and old secrets.
They burst into the night.
Outside, the woman had vanished into a maze of damp, garbage-littered alleyways. The distant buzz of neon signs flickered red and green across wet concrete, beneath the evening light.
“Left!” Serena called, already sprinting. Her breath came fast, fogging in the cold air.
Dope broke off to flank the runner from the right, vanishing around the corner like a shadow. Serena kept to the center alley, heart pounding. Each corner she turned seemed to stretch wider than the last. Shadows leapt and twisted in the dim light. The city, for a moment, felt like it was holding its breath.
A footstep behind her. Too close.
She spun.
A man surged out of the darkness, knife flashing silver under the streetlamp.
Serena stumbled back, hand darting toward the pistol beneath her coat, but she wasn’t fast enough
A blur of movement.
Someone slammed into the attacker from the side, driving him into the brick wall with a sickening thud. The knife clattered to the ground.
The man who had saved her turned swiftly, grabbing her by the elbow and pushing her back. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Serena?”
Her mind reeled at the voice. Familiar. Angry.
Her eyes met his.
“Dominic?”
Dominic’s eyes sharp, always calculating burned with fury. His dark coat was soaked from the rain, hair slicked back, jaw tight. The man was a storm bottled into flesh.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, breathless.
“I should be asking you that!” he snapped. I got a call because I had sole work to do around here and what do I find? You chasing armed suspects down alleyways like you’re some detective. Let this Clara's case be.”
Serena blinked, disoriented by the intensity in his voice. The edges of the world seemed to pulse. “How so you know about Clara's ”
“Don’t be stupid,” he cut in. “Do you really think I wouldn’t keep tabs on you?”
“That’s rich, coming from you,” she spat. “You’re not exactly part of my real life.”
Dominic stepped closer, jaw tight. “Don’t test me right now, Serena. You’re running headfirst into something far bigger than you understand.”
Serena bristled. “No. I do understand. You’re the one who doesn’t. Clara was murdered. . You think this is just some phase?”
Dominic’s gaze softened for a brief moment, then hardened again. “I’m not saying it’s nothing. I’m saying you’re in over your head.Your police or detective friends can’t protect you from this. .”
“You saw the wall?” she whispered.
“I’ve seen more than you think,” he muttered. “And you should’ve come to me.”
Serena’s voice dropped. “That’s not how this marriage works. Remember?”
For a heartbeat, silence fell between them. The kind of silence that carried weight. Old words, unsaid truths.
Their contract marriage meant to serve political and business alliances was never supposed to mean anything more. But here he was, searching for her in the night, saving her from a knife-wielding attacker, and yelling like someone who cared.
Before either could speak again, footsteps pounded up behind them.
Dope rounded the corner, pistol drawn. “Got eyes on wait ”
He skidded to a stop, frowning when he saw Dominic. “What the hell is he doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” Dominic shot back.
Serena raised a hand, stopping both of them. “We don’t have time for this. The woman’s still out there. And she took the journal.”
Dope’s face darkened. “Damn it. I almost had her.”
Dominic glanced between them. “What journal?”
Serena hesitated.
Dope didn’t. “A criminals journal of course and you're really in the middle of a lot right now.”
Dominic stiffened. “Do you have a copy or something?”
Serena looked stunned at his question.
“Are you dumb or trying to act it out?” Dope said, rolling his eyes. “We wouldn't be chasing her if we had it or even took pictures”
“Watch it ,” he muttered. “Let’s go home ” he turned to Serena
Dope holstered his weapon, eyes still locked on Dominic with open suspicion. “You’re late to this party, suit. We’ve been piecing this together for weeks.”
Dominic looked at her sharply. “And you think you’re going to take him down with this? You’re not even armed properly, Serena.”
She opened her coat slightly, revealing the pistol holstered beneath. “I’m not helpless, Dominic.”
His gaze dropped to the weapon. “I didn’t say you were. I said you were outnumbered. And now you’re a target.”
“She’s been a target for weeks,” Dope muttered.
Serena felt heat rise to her face. “Stop it. Both of you.”
“And why are we even talking about this with a stranger.”
“Stranger?” Dominic replied Dope.
And Serena's hear
t moved twice its normal rate as her life time crush was about to figure out she had been married.
- Writer
