His Dangerous Obsession

Chapter 13: The Heir

The sound of boots thundered through the hallway.

"Police! Drop your weapons!"

Adrian immediately grabbed Elena's hand.

"Run."

She didn't hesitate.

They sprinted down the corridor as officers flooded the hotel.

Gunfire erupted behind them.

Elena ducked as a bullet struck the wall.

"Where are we going?"

"Roof."

"Why?"

"Because every other exit is blocked."

"That's a terrible plan."

"It's the only one."

They reached the staircase.

Adrian pushed open the door.

"Go."

Elena ran upward.

Behind them, someone shouted.

"Blackwood! Stop!"

Adrian glanced back.

A police officer appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

Adrian fired once into the ceiling.

The officer ducked.

Adrian slammed the door shut.

"Keep moving."

They reached the rooftop.

Cold wind hit Elena's face.

The city stretched beneath them.

There was nowhere to go.

Elena looked at Adrian.

"You said this was the only exit."

"I was hoping there'd be a helicopter."

She stared.

"You were hoping?"

"I didn't say it was a good plan."

She almost laughed.

Almost.

Then the rooftop door burst open.

Officers poured out.

"Adrian Blackwood!"

He raised his hands.

Elena looked at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Buying time."

"Adrian—"

A helicopter suddenly appeared above the building.

A spotlight swept across the rooftop.

The officers turned.

A rope ladder dropped.

Adrian looked at Elena.

"Go."

She shook her head.

"Together."

He grabbed her waist and pulled her toward the ladder.

They climbed.

The helicopter lifted them into the night.

Elena looked down at the hotel.

The old man was still standing on the rooftop.

Watching them leave.

He smiled.

---

Inside the helicopter, Elena struggled to catch her breath.

"Who is flying this?"

Adrian looked toward the cockpit.

"No idea."

She stared at him.

"You're joking."

"No."

"Adrian!"

The pilot's voice came over the intercom.

"Relax."

Elena froze.

She knew that voice.

"Mom?"

Isabel laughed softly.

"Hello, sweetheart."

Elena stared at the cockpit.

"You planned this?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what did you plan?"

"Your escape."

Adrian crossed his arms.

"You knew the police were coming."

"Yes."

"You knew the leak would happen."

"Yes."

"You knew Elena was the key."

Isabel was silent.

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"What aren't you telling us?"

"Everything."

Elena sighed.

"Of course."

Isabel smiled.

"Your father left instructions."

"About what?"

"You."

Elena's heart tightened.

"What did he say?"

"He said that if the final file was ever released, I had to bring you somewhere safe."

"Where?"

"The only place the Black Rose can't reach."

Adrian looked at her.

"Where?"

Isabel glanced back.

"Your father's old safe house."

Elena stared.

"My father had a safe house?"

"Several."

"How many secrets did he have?"

"Enough to keep him alive for sixteen years."

The helicopter flew toward the mountains.

Elena looked at Adrian.

"You knew about this place?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Really."

She studied him.

He looked exhausted.

Blood still stained his shirt.

She reached toward his shoulder.

"You're bleeding."

"I'm fine."

"You're not."

"I've had worse."

She frowned.

"That doesn't make it better."

He looked at her hand.

She carefully touched the wound.

He winced.

"Sorry."

"You don't sound sorry."

"I'm not."

A faint smile crossed his face.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

Then Elena noticed something.

A ring on Adrian's finger.

She had never seen it before.

Black metal.

A rose carved into it.

She touched it.

"What's that?"

Adrian looked down.

"This?"

"Yes."

He hesitated.

"My father's."

"Why are you wearing it?"

"Because he gave it to me."

"When?"

"Before he disappeared."

Elena looked at him.

"You said he tried to kill you."

"He did."

"And then gave you his ring?"

Adrian nodded.

"He told me something."

"What?"

Adrian looked toward the window.

"He said the day would come when I'd have to choose between the Black Rose and the woman I loved."

Elena's heart skipped.

"The woman you loved?"

Adrian didn't answer.

She waited.

"Adrian."

He looked at her.

"I haven't chosen yet."

Her breath caught.

Before she could respond, the helicopter suddenly shook.

The pilot swore.

"What happened?"

"Missile lock!"

Adrian immediately stood.

"Get down!"

Elena ducked.

A missile streaked past the helicopter.

The aircraft tilted violently.

Isabel fought the controls.

"Someone is trying to bring us down!"

Adrian looked out the window.

Another helicopter appeared in the distance.

Black.

No markings.

"Who is that?"

Isabel's face went pale.

"The Black Rose."

Adrian looked at Elena.

"Stay with your mother."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm ending this."

He opened the side door.

Wind tore through the cabin.

Elena grabbed his arm.

"Adrian!"

He looked back.

"Don't."

"You can't jump onto that helicopter!"

"I can."

"That's insane!"

"Probably."

He leaned closer.

"Trust me."

She stared into his eyes.

Then released him.

Adrian jumped.

He landed on the enemy helicopter.

Elena watched in horror.

He disappeared through the side door.

Seconds later, the enemy helicopter began to shake.

A fight was happening inside.

Isabel kept flying.

"Mom!"

"I'm trying!"

A loud explosion came from behind them.

The enemy helicopter erupted into flames.

Elena's heart stopped.

"Adrian!"

A black figure fell from the burning aircraft.

Elena screamed.

Then a parachute opened.

A few seconds later, another parachute appeared.

Adrian.

He was alive.

Elena nearly collapsed with relief.

He landed on the roof of their helicopter.

Isabel opened the side door.

Adrian climbed inside.

He was covered in blood.

Elena rushed toward him.

"Are you okay?"

He nodded.

"Mostly."

She slapped his chest.

"Don't ever do that again."

He looked surprised.

Then amused.

"You were worried."

"Of course I was worried!"

She realized what she'd said.

Adrian's expression softened.

"I was worried too."

"About what?"

He looked directly at her.

"About you."

Silence.

Then Isabel cleared her throat.

"We're almost there."

Elena looked away.

Adrian sat beside her.

Their shoulders touched.

Neither moved.

The helicopter descended toward a remote valley.

A small house appeared below.

Isabel landed.

Everyone climbed out.

Elena looked around.

"This is it?"

"This is the safe house."

Her mother opened the door.

Inside was a small living room.

Simple.

Dusty.

But strangely familiar.

Elena walked toward the fireplace.

There was a photograph on the mantel.

Her father.

Her mother.

And a teenage Adrian.

Elena picked it up.

Behind the frame was another note.

She unfolded it.

If you're reading this, you've found the safe house.

But don't trust the woman who brought you here.

Elena's blood ran cold.

She slowly turned toward her mother.

Isabel was standing behind her.

Adrian noticed the expression on Elena's face.

"What is it?"

Elena handed him the note.

He read it.

His face hardened.

"Where did you get this?"

"It was behind the photograph."

Adrian looked at Isabel.

"Did you know about this?"

"No."

Elena stared at her mother.

"Mom..."

Isabel shook her head.

"I didn't write it."

Adrian looked at the handwriting.

Then his expression changed.

"I know who did."

"Who?"

He turned the note over.

A single symbol had been drawn on the back.

The Black Rose.

And beneath it, three words.

Trust no one.

Then the safe house door locked itself.

From outside.

Someone whispered through the walls:

"Welcome home, Elena."

She recognized the voice.

Gabriel.

But Gabriel was supposed to be dead.