Chapter Four: Marked by the past
711 Words
Roman's POV
I never wanted Eden caught in this.
But the past doesn’t forget. It doesn’t forgive.
Tonight, I sit in the shadows of the club’s back room, watching faces I once trusted now trade whispers behind my back.
They’re talking about Eden.
A girl they see as a weakness.
I clamp my jaw tight.
Years ago, I left that world for good—swore I’d never let it touch anyone I care about.
But now it’s here.
And the deeper I try to protect her, the more she’s pulled in.
I owe my silence to my old allies—but if I don’t act soon, Eden will pay the price.
My phone buzzes.
A message from a name I hoped never to see again.
“She’s a liability.”
The warning is clear.
And the war I thought was over is just beginning.
---
Eden's POV
I can feel it—eyes watching me, shadows shifting in corners I thought were safe.
Roman’s secrets aren’t just stories.
They’re traps.
And I’m standing right in the middle.
Tonight, I’ll find out what he’s hiding.
Even if it destroys everything.
******
Roman's POV
The warehouse smells like rust and regret.
I step into the cold light, eyes scanning the circle of faces I once called brothers.
They don’t greet me. They don’t even hide the contempt.
“Roman,” the leader sneers, voice dripping with disdain. “You brought her here.”
I tighten my fists. “She’s under my protection. You cross her, you cross me.”
A cold laugh cuts through the air.
“Protection? You’re a fool if you think this girl’s safe.”
I step closer, voice low and deadly.
“Say it again.”
The leader’s smile fades. “She’s a liability. We can’t have your weakness endangering us all.”
“Then you leave her alone,” I warn.
They exchange glances—silent threats hanging heavy.
This isn’t just a warning.
It’s a declaration of war.
I won’t let them touch Eden.
Not now.
Not ever.
******
Eden's POV
The club is darker than I remembered, the shadows thicker, almost alive. The bass pounds through the walls, but beneath the music, there’s a low hum of whispered conversations—secrets exchanged in corners and behind closed doors.
I stay close to the walls, moving carefully, eyes sharp. I’m not here to party or hide. I’m here to find the truth.
Roman’s world is tangled in lies and danger. I can feel it everywhere—the tension, the wary glances thrown my way as I pass. No one here wants me.
Then I spot him: a man I’ve never seen before, standing near the bar, talking to someone who looks familiar—a woman with sharp eyes and a cold smile. They exchange a small envelope, hands barely touching. My heart skips.
I edge closer, pretending to lean against a pillar. My ears strain to catch their words.
“Roman’s girl,” the woman says, voice low. “She’s nosing around. We can’t have that.”
The man nods. “She’s a liability.”
Liability. The word hits me like a punch.
I swallow hard, heart pounding. They’re planning something. Against Roman? Against me?
Suddenly, a hand clamps down on my shoulder. I whirl around, breath catching.
Roman.
His face is a storm—relief, anger, fear all tangled together.
“What are you doing here?” His voice is harsh but quiet.
“I needed to know,” I say, voice steady despite the tremble in my hands. “I can’t keep pretending I don’t see what’s happening.”
He pulls me into a shadowed alcove. “This isn’t safe. You don’t belong here.”
“But I belong with you,” I insist. “And I’m not leaving.”
Roman’s jaw tightens. “You don’t understand what you’re walking into.”
I meet his gaze, unflinching. “Then help me understand. Don’t shut me out.”
For a moment, the hardness in his eyes softens. Then he nods slowly.
“Alright,” he says. “But once you see what this is... there’s no turning back.”
I brace myself.
Because I’m about to step deeper into a world that could destroy us both.
- Writer
