BOUND BY FORTUNE

Chapter 5

Stella stared at the scary red message on the lawn below, her stomach twisting into knots. “WELCOME TO THE GAME”

"What... what does it mean?" she whispered; her voice barely able to be heard.

Kelvin didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened, and a muscle ticked in his temple as he stared out the window, his expression unreadable.

"It's Adrian," he said finally, his voice low and controlled, but Stella could hear the tension (slightly angry) beneath the surface.

Adrian. The name felt like a curse, and Stella's breath quickened. "He did this? But why?"

Kelvin turned to her, his gray eyes stormy and intense. "Because he wants to rattle you. And he's succeeded."

Stella stepped back from the window, her arms wrapping around herself to shield her from the chill seeping into the room. "This is insane. How can he... how can “you” allow this?"

"It's not a matter of allowing, Stella," Kelvin said, his voice sharpening. "Adrian grows and does well on fear. The more you react, the more he'll increase. That's his game."

"But why me?" she pressed, her voice shaking with fear. "I've done nothing to him."

Kelvin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because you're part of this house now. And that makes you a piece on the board."

—_:

The words stayed around in the air, heavy and predicting (something bad). Kelvin paced the room like a caged lion, his movements deliberate, every step showing a (slight) anger he was barely keeping in check.

Stella's look flicked between the window and Kelvin's, her mind racing. "So, what do we do?"

"We don't play," Kelvin said firmly, turning to face her. "We shut him down before he can make his next move."

"Shut him down how?" Stella asked, shocked. "You're talking about him like he's some sneaky and dishonest chess player, not a man who's leaving threats on your lawn!"

Kelvin took a step closer, his look locking onto hers. "You're scared. That's what he wants. You can't let him win."

Stella swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "It's not that simple."

"No, it's not," Kelvin admitted, his voice softening. "But I need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

Stella waited, her eyes searching his face. There was something in his expression--a quiet strength, a promise of protection--that made her nod, although (in a slow way, full of doubt). "I'll try."

Kelvin's lips twitched into the faintest shadow of a smile. "That's a start."

—_:

The hours stretched long into the night as Kelvin insisted on keeping watch. He refused to leave her room, dragging a chair to the corner and planting himself there, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

Stella lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of the night pressing down on her. She could feel Kelvin's presence, his look flicking to her every so often, as if making sure she was still there.

"Do you ever sleep?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"Not when there's a threat," he replied simply.

She turned her head to look at him. The faint moonlight filtering through the window highlighted the hard lines of his face, the shadows under his eyes. "You don't have to stay here, you know. I'll be fine."

Kelvin's look met hers, steady. "You won't. Not until this is dealt with."

Stella wanted to argue, but something in his tone silenced her. Instead, she rolled onto her side, her back to him, and let the quiet break her into a restless sleep.

—_:

The sound of glass shattering jolted Stella awake.

She shot up in bed, her heart racing, as Kelvin was already on his feet, moving with the (high) quality of an animal (who hunts and kills others). "Stay here," he ordered, his voice low and commanding.

"Kelvin--" she started, but he cut her off with a sharp quick look.

"Stay."

Without waiting for a response, he walked (quickly) to the door, yanking it open and disappearing into the hallway.

Stella's hands squeezed tightly the sheets as she sat frozen, her ears straining to catch any sound. The big house was weirdly silent, save for the faint creak of floorboards as Kelvin moved through the house.

Moments later, there was a quieted/blocked crash, followed by a shout.

Her breath hitched. “What's happening out there?”

Ignoring Kelvin's order, Stella slid off the bed and walked (slowly and quietly) toward the door. She cracked it open just enough to look carefully into the dimly lit hallway.

The faint glow of a wall lamp lit up Kelvin's tall figure as he stood near the staircase, his back to her. At his feet lay a shattered vase, the pieces sparkling like tiny knives.

"Come out, Adrian," Kelvin growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I know you're here."

Stella's blood ran cold. “Adrian's in the house?’

She pressed a hand to her mouth, interfering with and stopping a (short breath) as Kelvin took a step forward, his (attitude) tense and ready for a fight.

From the shadows at the base of the staircase, a figure came out. Adrian.

He looked completely unbothered, his hands tucked into his pockets as he calmly walked forward, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Relax, brother," Adrian spoke (with an accent). "I was just checking on our guest."

Kelvin's fists squeezed tightly at his sides. "You crossed a line tonight."

Adrian tilted his head, his small smile widening. "Oh, I've barely begun."

And then, with a fast movement, he pulled something from his pocket and tossed it onto the floor. A small black device skittered across the tiles, stopping inches from Kelvin's feet.

Kelvin's eyes narrowed as he bent to pick it up, turning it over in his hand. It was a USB drive.

"What's this?" he demanded.

"Proof," Adrian said, his tone laced with proud and snobby happiness. "Of just how messy your little bride's past is."

Stella's heart quickly dropped as Adrian's words echoed in her ears. From her spot in the shadows, she could see the storm brewing in Kelvin's expression as he turned the USB drive over in his hand.

Adrian's look lifted, locking onto her hiding spot, and his small smile deepened.

"Why don't you ask Stella?" he said, his voice dripping with joke. "She knows exactly what's on it."