The storm hadn't stopped. It lashed against the glass walls like the city itself was trying to warn her.
Lena stood frozen in the middle of the penthouse, the message still echoing in her mind. We found her.
She didn't know who "we" was.
Or what they'd found.
But she knew it had something to do with her.
And with Adrian.
The silence stretched until it became unbearable. She walked to the window, pressing her palm against the cold glass. Somewhere out there, he was driving into the storm alone.
She told herself to stay put — to follow his orders. But the fear clawing at her chest refused to listen.
Then came the sound.
A faint click. The unmistakable noise of an elevator door sliding open.
Her heart stopped.
"Adrian?" she called softly.
No answer.
She reached for her phone, but before she could dial, the lights flickered — once, twice — and went out completely.
Darkness swallowed the room.
---
The next second, someone moved in the shadows. A shape. A sound. The soft thud of boots on marble.
Lena backed away, her pulse pounding in her ears. "Who's there?"
A low male voice answered, smooth and cold. "Don't scream, Miss Hart. I'm only here to talk."
She froze. "Who are you?"
He stepped into the faint spill of moonlight from the storm outside. She didn't recognize him — tall, mid-thirties, face scarred just enough to make it memorable.
"Call me Rafe," he said. "Adrian's old friend. Or enemy, depending on the day."
Her throat tightened. "How did you get in here?"
He smiled faintly. "Keys are easy to copy when you build the locks yourself."
"What do you want?"
"Information," he said simply. "You're new to his world. Fresh. Untainted. That makes you interesting."
"I don't know anything," she said.
"Oh, but you will," Rafe murmured. "He always tells the truth to the one who makes him feel something."
Her stomach twisted. "You're lying."
"Am I?" He took a slow step closer. "Tell me, Lena — has he shown you what's behind the locked door yet?"
Her breath caught.
He smiled. "Ah. So you've seen it."
Before she could respond, a sharp beep sounded from the security panel — the door unlocking from the outside.
Rafe glanced toward it, amused. "Looks like our host is home."
---
The lights came back in a flash. Adrian stood in the doorway, rain-soaked and furious, a gun in his hand.
"Step away from her," he said quietly.
Rafe chuckled. "Always dramatic."
"Last warning."
Rafe lifted his hands slightly. "You left your doors open, Blackwood. Can't blame a man for paying a visit."
"Try it again, and I'll make sure you don't leave breathing."
Rafe's smile faded. "Careful, Adrian. You're not the only one with ghosts in this city."
Then, as easily as he'd appeared, he stepped back toward the elevator. "See you soon, Miss Hart."
When the doors closed, Adrian dropped the gun to the table, his hands shaking just enough for her to notice.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Who was that?"
"Someone who used to work for my father," Adrian said, voice tight. "Someone who should be dead."
Her stomach turned. "He said you have secrets. That you're not who you seem."
Adrian met her eyes. "Do you believe him?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore."
He took a step closer. "Then believe this — I will never let anyone touch you. No matter what it costs me."
---
Hours later, after the police left and the storm quieted, Lena found herself standing near that locked door again.
Adrian was sitting in the dark, elbows on his knees, staring at nothing.
She approached quietly. "You should rest."
"So should you."
"Adrian…" She hesitated. "He knew about that door."
"I know."
"What's behind it?"
He didn't look at her. "Something I promised myself I'd never open again."
"Maybe it's time you did."
He finally looked up, eyes haunted. "If I open that door, Lena, you'll never see me the same way again."
Her voice was soft. "Maybe that's a risk I'm willing to take."
For a moment, neither spoke. Then he stood, walked toward the door, and placed his hand on the panel.
It flickered green.
With a slow hiss, the lock released.
"Stay behind me," he said quietly.
The door swung open.
And what she saw inside made her blood run cold.