His Dangerous Obsession

Chapter 11: One Hour

Adrian stared at the photograph.

For the first time since Elena had met him, she saw something close to panic in his eyes.

Not fear.

Panic.

"That's your father," Elena whispered.

Adrian didn't answer.

The photograph showed Victor Blackwood tied to a chair in a dark room. Blood covered the side of his face.

Someone had beaten him badly.

But he was alive.

A second message appeared.

**One hour.**

Then another.

**Bring Elena alone.**

Adrian's jaw tightened.

Elena looked at him.

"They want me."

"Yes."

"And they'll kill him if we don't go."

"Probably."

"Then we go."

"No."

She stared at him.

"You can't be serious."

"I'm not taking you to them."

"They have your father."

"I know."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"Get him out without giving them you."

Elena folded her arms.

"How?"

"I'll find a way."

"You don't have one."

Adrian looked at her.

"No."

She stepped closer.

"Then stop pretending you do."

He said nothing.

Elena pointed at the photograph.

"They know where we are. They know about the memory card. They know about your father."

She took a breath.

"And they know exactly how to control you."

His expression hardened.

"I'm not controlled."

"They have your father tied to a chair."

A pause.

"They already control you."

Adrian looked away.

Elena softened.

"Adrian."

He closed his eyes briefly.

Then opened them.

"He's not a good man."

"I know."

"He hurt people."

"I know."

"He hurt me."

Elena went still.

"What?"

Adrian looked at the photograph.

"When I was thirteen, he ordered someone to kill me."

Elena remembered what he had told her.

"Your father."

"Yes."

"And you still want to save him."

Adrian's voice was quiet.

"He's still my father."

Elena understood.

Family wasn't always simple.

Sometimes love survived things it shouldn't.

"Then we'll save him."

Adrian looked at her.

"We?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Elena."

"You can't leave me behind."

"I can."

"You won't."

His eyes narrowed.

"Why are you so certain?"

"Because you promised my father you'd protect me."

She stepped closer.

"And because I know you."

Something changed in his expression.

"Do you?"

"I think I'm starting to."

Silence.

Adrian looked away first.

"We have fifty-two minutes."

"Then let's stop arguing."

He nodded.

They reached the east tunnel.

A black SUV waited at the end.

Adrian opened the passenger door.

"Get in."

Elena climbed inside.

He walked around to the driver's side.

Before starting the engine, he looked at her.

"There's something you need to understand."

"What?"

"If we go there, things may not go according to plan."

"They haven't gone according to plan since I met you."

Despite everything, the corner of his mouth almost lifted.

"Fair."

He started the engine.

The SUV raced through the tunnel.

Elena looked down at the memory card in her hand.

"What's on this?"

"Everything your father found."

"Can we use it against them?"

"If we survive long enough to release it."

"Then we need a backup."

Adrian glanced at her.

"What are you thinking?"

"Copy it."

"Where?"

"My phone."

"No."

"Why?"

"If they get your phone, they get everything."

"Then send it somewhere else."

"Where?"

Elena thought for a moment.

"Email."

Adrian shook his head.

"Traceable."

"Cloud storage."

"Also traceable."

She frowned.

"Then what?"

Adrian was silent.

Finally he said:

"Someone we trust."

Elena looked at him.

"Who?"

"Nobody."

She sighed.

"You're impossible."

"I've been told."

The SUV emerged from the tunnel.

They were approaching the city.

Adrian's phone rang.

He answered.

"Yes."

A distorted voice spoke.

"Thirty-seven minutes."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Where?"

"You know where."

"I want the address."

A pause.

Then the caller gave him one.

Adrian ended the call.

Elena looked at him.

"Where?"

"An abandoned hotel."

"That sounds safe."

"It isn't."

"Of course."

He glanced at her.

"There's something else."

"What?"

"They told me to bring you alone."

Elena frowned.

"And?"

"I'm going in with you."

She smiled faintly.

"I knew it."

"But there's a problem."

"What?"

"They know I'll come."

"Then we make them think I'm alone."

Adrian looked at her.

"How?"

Elena reached for the memory card.

"We give them what they want."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"What are you planning?"

She smiled.

"To lie."

For the first time that night, Adrian smiled.

"Now you're learning."

The abandoned hotel stood at the edge of the city.

Most of the windows were broken.

The sign above the entrance had lost several letters.

Adrian parked two streets away.

They walked the rest.

Elena wore a dark coat and kept her hood up.

Adrian carried no visible weapon.

But she knew he was armed.

"You ready?" he asked.

"No."

"Good."

She looked at him.

"Good?"

"People who aren't afraid make mistakes."

"You're afraid?"

He looked at her.

"Yes."

She hadn't expected that answer.

"Of what?"

"Losing you."

Elena's heart stumbled.

Before she could respond, Adrian looked away.

"We're here."

They reached the hotel entrance.

The doors opened before they touched them.

A man stood inside.

"Elena Vale."

She stopped.

The man smiled.

"Come in."

Adrian stepped forward.

"I said we were coming alone."

The man looked at him.

"You were told to come alone."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"You don't give me orders."

The man laughed.

"Still arrogant."

Elena recognized him.

The scar.

Gabriel.

Her father's killer.

"You."

Gabriel looked at her.

"Me."

Elena stepped forward.

"Where is my mother?"

"Safe."

"My father?"

"Also safe."

"And Victor?"

Gabriel's smile faded.

"Not so safe."

Adrian stepped closer.

"Take me to him."

"No."

"Then we have nothing to discuss."

Gabriel looked at Elena.

"She's the only thing we want."

Adrian's hand tightened.

"You won't touch her."

Gabriel smiled.

"Then you'll never see your father again."

Elena stepped between them.

"I'll go."

Adrian immediately grabbed her arm.

"No."

She looked at him.

"Trust me."

His expression hardened.

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."

She squeezed his hand.

"I'll be okay."

He didn't let go.

Gabriel watched them.

Something like amusement appeared in his eyes.

"Interesting."

Elena looked at him.

"What?"

"Your mother was right."

"About what?"

"Adrian would choose you."

Adrian's expression changed.

"What did you say?"

Gabriel smiled.

"That's why the Black Rose wanted you."

Elena frowned.

"Why?"

"Because you're not just Daniel Vale's daughter."

Silence.

Gabriel leaned closer.

"You're the only person who can unlock the final file."

Elena's stomach dropped.

"What final file?"

Gabriel smiled.

"The one your father never managed to open."

He stepped aside.

A hallway stretched behind him.

At the far end was a red door.

Elena's breath caught.

The same door.

The same memory.

The same nightmare.

Gabriel whispered:

"Your father hid the key inside your mind."

Elena stared at it.

Then Adrian stepped beside her.

His voice was low.

"Whatever happens next..."

He looked at her.

"Don't remember alone."

Elena nodded.

Together, they walked toward the red door.

But neither of them noticed the security camera above them.

Behind it, someone watched.

A woman.

Isabel.

And she was smiling.

Because everything was going exactly as she had planned.