CHAPTER 9- NO SAFE PLACE
571 Words
Adrian didn't answer.
The silence itself was enough.
Nathan immediately understood and hurried toward the door.
Aria watched Adrian in disbelief.
"Where are you going?"
He buttoned his suit jacket with practiced ease before looking directly at her.
"To make sure no one gets to you first."
His voice was frighteningly calm.
"But... what if they're dangerous?"
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"They should be asking themselves the same question.”
Nathan hesitated for a brief moment before nodding.
"Right away, sir."
He turned to leave, but Adrian's voice stopped him halfway to the door.
"Nathan."
Nathan paused and looked back.
"Double the security team."
Nathan frowned slightly. "Sir, wouldn't four men be enough?"
Adrian slowly shook his head.
"Whoever leaked Miss Monroe's information already knows how our security operates."
He glanced toward Aria before continuing.
"If they're bold enough to expose her address, they'll be bold enough to make a move."
Nathan's expression became serious.
"I understand."
"And inform the men that no one gets close to her without my permission."
"Yes, sir."
Nathan hurried out of the office, the door closing softly behind him.
Silence settled over the room once again.
Aria let out a slow breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Isn't this a little... excessive?" she asked quietly.
Adrian looked at her.
"No."
"But you're assigning an entire security team because of me."
"I'm assigning them because someone has already crossed a line."
She frowned.
"I still don't understand why you're doing all this."
Adrian walked back to his desk, resting both hands against its polished surface.
"I've spent years building Blackwell Holdings, my enemies know attacking me directly is difficult."
His eyes met hers.
"So they look for weaker targets."
Aria's eyebrows knitted together.
"And you think I'm one of those targets?"
"I know you are."
The certainty in his voice sent a chill through her.
She looked away, unable to meet his eyes.
"I never wanted to become anyone's weakness."
"You aren't."
He answered so quickly that she looked back at him.
"They chose you."
"You didn't choose this."
Those words lingered in the air.
For the first time since meeting Adrian Blackwell...
Aria couldn't think of an argument.
She hated admitting it, but beneath his cold demeanor was a man carrying the weight of every decision he made.
A man who blamed himself for dangers he couldn't always control.
The office phone suddenly rang.
Nathan's voice came through the intercom almost immediately.
"Sir... the vehicle is ready."
Adrian picked up his suit jacket and slipped it over his shoulders.
Without another word, he walked toward the office door.
Halfway there, he noticed Aria hadn't moved.
She remained rooted to the spot.
"What are you waiting for?" he asked.
Aria swallowed.
"I... I don't think I'm ready."
Adrian's expression softened, almost imperceptibly.
"No one is ever ready when their life changes."
He extended his hand toward her.
"You don't have to face this alone."
Aria stared at his outstretched hand.
Every instinct told her not to take it.
Depending on Adrian Blackwell was dangerous.
But walking away from him...
Suddenly seemed even more dangerous.
Her fingers slowly lifted
Just before they could touch, Nathan burst through the door, breathing heavily.
"Sir!"
Both of them turned at once.
Nathan's face had gone completely pale.
"They've just breached the security cameras outside Miss Monroe's apartment..."
"They're already inside the building.”
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