Chapter Three: The Estate of Silent Walls
Elena had never realized how quickly a life could change.
One moment she was standing in her quiet apartment, trying to absorb the threat whispered through her phone, and the next she was being ushered out of the building by Luca, his steps controlled and precise as if every movement had been measured before he even took it.
The city outside was still waking up. A faded morning sky stretched over London, washed in pale blues. Elena kept close behind Luca as they approached a black SUV parked at the curb. The driver stepped out immediately, pulling open the door for her. She slid into the back seat, heart still racing from the distorted voice echoing in her mind.
Luca joined her, closing the door with a soft final click. The interior smelled faintly of leather and something crisp that reminded her of pine. The driver eased into traffic with smooth confidence.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Elena stared out the window, watching buildings blur, her thoughts tangled between fear and confusion.
Luca sat beside her with unwavering stillness, his gaze fixed ahead. He embodied the kind of discipline she had only seen in military documentaries, a man who seemed carved out of silence and purpose.
She finally gathered her voice. "Where are we going?"
"To my estate," he answered. "We need to move you into a controlled environment. Your apartment is compromised."
She swallowed, gripping the hem of her sleeve. "I still don't understand why any of this is happening. That call felt so…" She paused, unable to name the emotion clawing through her.
"Personal," Luca said quietly.
She turned to him, startled. "Yes."
He shifted slightly, though his posture remained rigid. "Because whoever is threatening you wants you terrified enough to disappear or to stay silent. Fear clouds judgment. It isolates people. That message was intended to break your stability."
A shiver traveled down her spine. "And it almost did."
Luca glanced at her for the first time since they left the apartment. His eyes held something steady, something grounding. "But it did not. You are stronger than you realize."
Elena looked away, unsure how to reply.
The SUV eventually veered off the main road, weaving through quieter streets lined with tall trees and elegant houses. The shift from city noise to calm lawns and private gates felt surreal. When they approached a long driveway bordered by stone pillars, Elena's breath caught.
The estate that appeared ahead looked like something from a cinematic world she never belonged to. A sprawling structure of soft grey stone, framed by manicured gardens and glass windows that reflected the pale sky. Security cameras perched discreetly along the edges, and two guards stood at the main entrance.
"This is where you live?" she asked softly.
"Yes."
"It's very… large."
"It is practical," he corrected. "A facility needs to hold my team and equipment. The house is secondary."
Elena doubted that. For all its beauty, there was something hollow about the place. Like a palace built to keep ghosts quiet.
The SUV stopped in front of the main doors. As Luca stepped out, two men approached with coordinated strides. One was tall with a weathered face and sharp eyes. The other carried a tablet and wore an earpiece.
"Status?" Luca asked.
"All clear," the older man replied. "Perimeter checks and interior scans completed. No breaches."
"Good. Bring in the guest bags. She has only what she carries."
Elena blinked. "That was all that was in my backpack. I did not pack anything."
"You will not return to your apartment until this is resolved," Luca said. "Anything you need will be arranged."
Her chest clenched at the finality of his tone.
The inside of the estate was even more intimidating. High ceilings stretched over polished floors, and the air carried a faint scent of eucalyptus. The hallways were wide, minimalist, almost too quiet for a place so large.
Luca walked beside her, hands clasped behind him. "You will stay in the east wing. It is the most secure section."
"I thought the whole place was secure," she said, attempting a nervous smile.
"It is. But this wing is closest to the surveillance center and farther from street access points."
"So you can keep an eye on me."
"So I can respond faster," he corrected.
They reached a corridor painted in soft muted tones. Three doors lined the hall. He stopped at the second one and opened it.
Elena stepped inside and felt a small breath of relief. Unlike the cold minimalism of the rest of the estate, this room had warmth. Beige walls, wide windows catching the soft morning light, and a bed covered in gentle cream layers. A balcony overlooked the distant gardens. A small reading table sat by the window with a vase of fresh lilies.
"It is beautiful," she murmured.
"I had it arranged this morning," Luca said. "I assumed you would prefer something less… stark."
She turned to him, surprised. "You did this?"
His expression did not shift. "I told my staff what you might need."
He made it sound practical. But she saw the thought beneath it.
Her gaze traveled across the room again. "Thank you."
He gave a small nod. "You should rest. There will be a briefing later. My team will explain the next steps."
"I'm not tired," she confessed.
Luca studied her for a moment. "Fear keeps the body alert. When it settles, exhaustion will follow."
"And you?" she asked before thinking. "Do you ever rest?"
He paused at the doorway, as if debating whether to answer. "When necessary."
She almost smiled. "That sounds like a no."
His eyes softened just slightly. "It is what the job requires."
With that, he stepped out, leaving her alone in the quiet room.
Elena walked toward the balcony and opened the glass door. A breeze drifted in, carrying the faint scent of citrus from the distant trees. She leaned against the railing, trying to steady the weight in her chest.
She should feel safe here. Protected. Hidden. Yet the thought of depending entirely on Luca Hale stirred something complicated inside her. Part unease. Part something warmer, quieter, and dangerously confusing.
After unpacking the little she had, Elena wandered to the en suite bathroom. It was elegant, fitted with marble and soft lighting. She splashed cool water on her face and stared at her reflection. Her eyes looked tired, but not broken. She clung to that.
When she returned to the room, she noticed the door slightly ajar.
She frowned. Had she forgotten to close it? Before she could investigate, a figure stepped inside.
The sudden appearance made her jump back. Then she recognized him.
A young man in his twenties, dressed in a neat black uniform, holding a tray with a pot of tea and a small plate of pastries.
"I am sorry, Miss Ward," he said quickly. "Mr Hale asked me to bring you something warm. He said you have not eaten since last night."
Her cheeks flushed. "Oh… thank you. And please, call me Elena."
He smiled shyly and set the tray on the table near the window. "If you need anything, press the button near your bed. It alerts our communication center."
"I will. Thank you."
He nodded and left, closing the door gently behind him.
Elena sat at the small table, poured herself tea, and tried to let the warmth calm her. But her mind stayed tangled in the memory of that call.
You will not get another warning.
The voice had not sounded rushed. It had sounded planned. Confidence. Which meant the person was watching her, probably for days.
Just as the fear tightened again, a soft chime echoed through the room. Elena looked toward the corner where a small screen lit up. A line of text appeared.
Please join us in the briefing room. Right corridor, first door.
She took a breath, set aside her tea, and stepped out into the hallway.
The corridor was quiet. She followed it until she found an open room with several people already inside. Luca stood at the head of the table, a screen behind him displaying a map of London. Four operatives sat on either side, their faces sharp with focus.
When Elena entered, Luca straightened slightly and motioned to an empty seat.
"Thank you for coming," he said.
Elena slid into the chair. Her palms were already damp.
Luca remained standing, hands behind him. "This briefing will cover what we know, what we suspect, and how we will proceed."
The operatives nodded, their attention fully on him.
Luca continued. "The call Miss Ward received was routed through three encrypted layers. The voice was altered. This tells us our adversary has resources and experience. They are not acting alone."
A quiet chill moved through Elena.
Luca tapped the screen, revealing a photo of the political gala she attended weeks ago. "Someone saw her see the exchange. That individual is connected to a faction that does not want exposure. We have two leads. Both are dangerous. The intruder from last night was likely hired to intimidate her into silence."
Elena's fingers tightened around the edge of her chair.
Luca turned to her. "You are not at fault for witnessing something. But you are now involved whether you wished to be or not. My responsibility is to keep you alive."
Those words were simple, but the weight behind them made her chest tighten.
An operative named Rowan leaned forward. "We have already encrypted her data, blocked access points, and intercepted traces of surveillance targeting her. They tried tapping her phone again this morning."
Elena's breath caught. "This morning?"
"Yes," Rowan said. "But we blocked it."
Luca stepped closer to her. "This is why you are here. This estate is one of the safest locations in the country. Anyone attempting to enter will be detected before they reach the outer fence."
Elena nodded slowly, though her pulse would not settle.
"Your schedule will change," Luca added. "You will not leave the estate without me. Your team meetings, design sessions, and work calls will take place here under monitored conditions. This is temporary, but necessary."
Elena swallowed. "How long?"
"Until the threat is eliminated."
The room went still.
Rowan cleared his throat. "We also believe the person behind this is connected to Cassandra Vale."
Elena turned sharply. "Who?"
Luca's eyes darkened. "Someone who will not hesitate to use you to get to me."
Elena stared at him, unable to speak.
"We will deal with her in due time," Luca said quietly. "But for now, your safety remains the priority."
Elena nodded even though fear pressed hard against her ribs. She felt the room closing in, the information stacking like weights she was never prepared to carry.
As the briefing continued with technical details she struggled to absorb, Elena let her gaze shift to Luca. He stood like a man accustomed to standing between danger and the people who could not survive it. A man carved from silence and responsibility.
She wondered how many lives he had guarded before hers.
She wondered what it cost him each time.
The meeting ended after several minutes, and people dispersed with swift movements. Elena remained seated, feeling the tremor in her hands. Luca approached her slowly.
"You handled that well," he said.
"It did not feel like it."
"That is because you understand the gravity of the situation." His voice softened just a little. "Fear does not mean weakness."
Elena looked up at him. "Do you ever get scared?"
He hesitated, then answered with quiet honesty. "Only when the stakes involve someone I cannot afford to lose."
Her breath stilled.
He stepped back. "Get some rest. We will continue later."
Elena watched him leave the room, a strange ache settling under her ribs.
For the first time since the threats began, she realized something she had not dared admit.
She was not only afraid of the danger outside.
She was afraid of the man guarding her from it.
Because Luca Hale, with all his walls and silence, was beginning to matter more than she knew how to handle.