The Man Who Knew Too Much
1102 Words
For several seconds, I forgot how to breathe. The room tilted beneath me. Not because of the drug this time, but because of him. Bryan Nimrod stood in front of me like a wall I couldn't climb over and couldn't escape around. His expression had changed. The cold arrogance I had seen downstairs was gone. What remained was something darker.
Concern? No. Not concern. Something more dangerous.
Fear.
My fingers tightened around the edge of the sofa. “Who?”
Bryan's jaw hardened. “Don't ask questions you aren't prepared to hear the answers to.”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “I've been hunted all night. My company was stolen. My mother is dead. My uncle has forged documents against me. My stepsister drugged me.” I swallowed hard. “Do you honestly think I'm afraid of another answer?” His eyes searched mine. For the first time, I saw hesitation in them. That frightened me more than anything.
Bryan reached for his phone. “I need a doctor.”
I grabbed his wrist. “No.”
His gaze dropped to my fingers.
“You've been poisoned.”
“I know what happened to me.”
“No, Laura.” His voice hardened. “You know what you felt. That's not the same thing.”
The use of my first name caught me off guard.
“You know my name?”
“I know more than your name.”
Before I could demand an explanation, he dialed.
“Dr. Hale. Come to my penthouse immediately.”
There was a pause.
“Yes.”
His eyes remained on me.
“Bring the full antidote kit.”
He ended the call and I stared at him.
“Who exactly are you?”
One corner of his mouth lifted.
“You already know.”
“I know the billionaire who walked into a ballroom like he owned everyone inside it.”
“I don't own everyone.”
“You certainly act like you do.”
Something flickered in his eyes. Amusement, and it disappeared almost immediately.
“Lie down.”
“I don't take orders.”
“You will tonight.”
I wanted to argue. Instead, my knees weakened. Bryan caught me before I hit the floor. His arm wrapped firmly around my waist.
For one dangerous second, I was pressed against his chest. His heartbeat was steady but mine wasn't. His cologne surrounded me: dark, clean, expensive.
When I looked up, he was already looking at me. Neither of us moved. His eyes dropped briefly to my lips before returning to mine.
The moment lasted only seconds. But it felt like a warning. Then the elevator chimed. Bryan immediately released me.
A middle-aged man hurried inside carrying a black medical case.
“Mr. Nimrod.”
“She's been exposed to an unknown substance.”
The doctor knelt beside me.
“Can you tell me what you drank?”
“Champagne.”
“Did you lose consciousness?”
“No.”
“Difficulty breathing?”
“A little.”
“Blurred vision?”
“Yes.”
“Heart racing?”
“Yes.”
The doctor checked my pulse, blood pressure, pupils, and oxygen level. His expression became serious.
“You've been given a combination of a stimulant and a strong sedative compound. There also appears to be an aphrodisiac component.”
Heat climbed into my face. Bryan's expression became murderous.
“Can you neutralize it?”
“Yes. Fortunately, I was there on time.”
The doctor opened his case and prepared an intravenous treatment.
“I'm going to administer a reversal agent to counter the stimulant and sedative effects. We'll also give her fluids and medication to stabilize her heart rate.”
I nodded.
The needle entered my arm. Bryan stayed beside me. He didn't touch me. He didn't leave. He just simply watched.
Minutes passed. The burning sensation inside my body gradually weakened. My breathing became easier. The spinning stopped. The doctor checked my pulse again.
“Much better.”
When I closed my eyes for the first time that night, I felt safe enough to breathe.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
The doctor smiled.
“Rest. Your body needs time to clear the remaining substance.”
I opened my eyes. My gaze found Bryan.
“Thank you.”
His expression softened.
“You're welcome.”
The doctor packed his equipment.
“I recommend she remain under observation for several hours.”
Bryan nodded.
“I'll handle it.”
Then the doctor left. The penthouse became silent again. I looked down at the IV in my arm. Then at Bryan.
“You saved me.”
His expression hardened.
“Don't romanticize it.”
“I wasn't.”
“Good.”
I smiled faintly.
“Because I don't trust you.”
His eyebrow rose.
“You shouldn't.”
That answer surprised me.
“Then why should I stay?”
His eyes locked onto mine.
“Because whoever drugged you knows where you are.”
My smile disappeared.
“And you know who they are.”
Bryan didn't answer.
“Bryan.”
There was silence.
“What did you mean?”
He walked toward the window. I watched his reflection against the glass.
“They want you dead.”
“Who?”
His shoulders stiffened.
“Richard and Chloe?”
There was no answer.
“My mother?”
Nothing. I let out a deep breath and stood carefully.
“Bryan.”
He finally turned.
“I knew your mother.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
His expression revealed nothing.
“Not well.”
“Then how do you know about her?”
He looked away.
“Because Eleanor Sanders was investigating something that could have destroyed several powerful people.”
Hearing my mother's name in his mouth felt like a knife.
“What was she investigating?”
“Not tonight.”
I stepped closer.
“You don't get to walk into my life, tell me people want me dead, mention my dead mother, and then decide what I deserve to know.”
His gaze sharpened.
“You're right.”
That answer disarmed me. He stepped closer.
“But knowing the truth could put you in more danger.”
I held his stare. I couldn't blink for a moment.
“I'm already in danger.”
For several seconds, neither of us moved. Then Bryan quietly said,
“That's exactly what I'm afraid of.”
My heart gave one hard beat. And I realized something terrifying. The most dangerous man in the city wasn't afraid of me, but he was afraid of losing me.
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