Chapter 5: The Devil's Rules
757 Words
Lia Knox stood frozen in the center of the room long after Adrian left.
His final words echoed through her mind.
"We're not the only ones hunting."
She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady her breathing.
Who else could possibly be looking for her?
Was someone trying to rescue her...
Or kill her?
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
The door opened, and Maria stepped inside carrying a tray.
"I brought you lunch," she said gently.
"I'm not hungry."
Maria smiled sadly.
"You've said that about every meal."
"I'm not staying long enough to need one."
Maria placed the tray on the table anyway.
"I've worked for Mr. Volkov for twenty years."
Lia looked at her.
"Then you know how to get out of here."
Maria's smile disappeared.
"There is no getting out."
Lia frowned.
"Everyone has a weakness."
"So does he."
Lia stepped closer.
"What is it?"
Maria hesitated before answering.
"You."
Before Lia could ask what she meant, Maria quickly left the room.
The heavy lock clicked into place.
Lia stared at the closed door.
Me?
That didn't make any sense.
Downstairs, Adrian stood inside his office overlooking the estate.
Viktor entered without knocking.
"The search team came back."
Adrian didn't turn around.
"And?"
"No sign of the missing witnesses."
His jaw tightened.
"They didn't vanish."
"No."
"They were taken."
Viktor nodded.
"Our men found tire tracks leading away from the alley."
Adrian slowly turned.
"Someone cleaned the scene."
"Yes."
"Which means someone knew I would be there."
Silence filled the office.
Viktor folded his arms.
"You think someone set this up?"
"I don't believe in coincidences."
"What about the girl?"
Adrian's gaze drifted toward the second floor.
"She wasn't part of the plan."
Viktor noticed the direction of his eyes.
"You've become distracted."
"I've become curious."
"Curiosity gets people killed."
Adrian's expression remained unreadable.
"So does underestimating your enemy."
Lia had spent nearly an hour studying every inch of her room.
The window.
The walls.
The ceiling.
Nothing.
No hidden exits.
No loose panels.
Nothing she could use.
Frustrated, she pulled open the wardrobe.
Rows of elegant dresses greeted her.
Shoes.
Jewelry.
Handbags.
Everything looked expensive.
She slammed the doors shut.
"I don't want any of this."
Another knock.
This time, Adrian walked in.
His eyes immediately noticed the untouched food.
"You didn't eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"You'll eat."
"No."
His expression remained calm.
"You'll only make things harder for yourself."
She folded her arms.
"You kidnapped me."
"I did."
"You expect me to sit here and play house?"
"No."
"Then what do you expect?"
He stepped closer.
"I expect you to survive."
She stared at him.
"Survive what?"
His eyes darkened.
"The people looking for you."
Lia laughed bitterly.
"The only person I need protection from is standing right in front of me."
For the first time, Adrian looked almost... disappointed.
"If you believe that..."
"I do."
"...then you're already in more danger than you realize."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Lia searched his face.
"You know who they are."
"I have my suspicions."
"Tell me."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because ignorance is keeping you alive."
Her patience snapped.
"I'm tired of your secrets!"
She shoved him.
It barely moved him.
Instead, Adrian caught her wrist before she could pull away.
His grip wasn't painful.
But it was impossible to escape.
"You keep doing that," he said quietly.
"What?"
"Testing me."
"I hate you."
"I know."
"I'll never stop fighting."
His thumb brushed lightly across her wrist.
"I hope you don't."
She blinked.
"What?"
"The day you stop fighting..."
His voice softened almost imperceptibly.
"...won't be the woman I brought here."
Lia didn't know what to say.
Why would a man like Adrian admire her resistance?
It made no sense.
A sharp knock broke the moment.
Viktor entered.
"Boss."
Adrian released Lia immediately.
"What happened?"
"We caught one of the men outside the east wall."
Lia's heart skipped.
"Who is he?" Adrian asked.
"He swallowed poison before we could question him."
Silence.
Viktor continued.
"He had one thing on him."
He handed Adrian a small silver coin.
Adrian's expression changed instantly.
For the first time...
Real anger flashed across his face.
Lia noticed.
"What is it?"
Adrian closed his fist around the coin.
"Our enemy just declared war."
Lia's pulse quickened.
"What does that have to do with me?"
His dark eyes locked onto hers.
"Everything."
Outside the mansion, thunder rolled across the darkening sky.
Inside the Volkov Estate...
The first move had been made.
And the game had only just begun.
- Writer
