CHAPTER 15: LINES DRAWN IN BLOOD
ADRIAN'S POV
Isaac didn't knock.
That alone told me something was wrong.
The door to my office opened sharply, the heavy wood slamming against the wall with more force than necessary. Isaac stepped inside without his usual sarcasm or careless grin. His tie was loosened, the top buttons of his shirt undone, sleeves rolled up like he'd just come from a fight—or was preparing for one.
He shut the door behind him.
"You're going to want to sit for this," he said quietly.
I didn't.
I kept signing the document in front of me, my pen gliding smoothly across the paper as if nothing in the world could disrupt my control.
"Talk."
Isaac scoffed under his breath. "Still arrogant as ever."
He walked closer, lowering his voice like the walls themselves had ears.
"I saw her."
My pen froze mid‑stroke.
The silence that followed was dangerous.
"…Saw who?" I asked calmly, though my pulse had already begun to accelerate.
He didn't play dumb.
"Kiss."
The name hit harder than I expected.
Something cold slid down my spine, settling deep in my chest like a warning.
"Outside her apartment," Isaac continued. "She almost got hit by a car."
I lifted my head slowly.
Every muscle in my body tightened.
"Almost?" I asked, my voice deceptively steady.
"She's fine," he said quickly. "Shaken. Angry. But unharmed."
I exhaled once—but only once.
"Who?" I asked.
Isaac hesitated.
That single pause told me everything I needed to know.
"…Chris Blackwood."
The name landed like a gunshot.
Chris.
Of all people.
Of all streets.
Of all timing.
My jaw clenched so hard I felt pain bloom along my temples.
"What was he doing there?" I asked quietly.
Isaac crossed his arms. "He stopped. Talked to her. Long enough. Close enough."
A slow, dangerous heat crawled through my veins.
Did he touch her?
Did he look at her like she was something to be claimed?,I thought secretly panicking.
"Did he touch her?" I asked.
"No," Isaac replied. "But he was interested."
That was enough for me to know the game he's trying to play.
"Get him on the line," I said.
Isaac stiffened. "Adrian—"
"Now",I cut off him off coldly.
He didn't argue again.
---
The call connected on the second ring.
Chris's voice slid through the speaker—smooth, relaxed, infuriatingly amused.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Goodwill?"
"You were near my secretary applicant," I said evenly.
A pause.
Then a soft chuckle.
"Ah," Chris said. "That girl."
Something dark twisted in my chest.
"She's not part of your world," I said. "Stay away from her."
Chris laughed openly now. "You don't own people, Adrian."
"No," I agreed calmly. "But I end wars."
Silence stretched between us—thick, intense,calculating.
Then his voice returned, lower now. Sharper.
"You sound territorial."
"I'm being generous," I replied. "Cross her again, and business won't be the only thing we settle."
Another pause.
Then—
"Careful," Chris said softly. "The fastest way to lose control… is pretending you already have it."
The line went dead.
Isaac released a slow breath. "You just declared a silent war."
I finally sat down.
"No," I corrected. "I reminded him of the rules....not to play games with me. "
My gaze drifted to the city beyond the glass windows.
Kiss had no idea.
She didn't know that two empires had just shifted because of her.
And for now—
That was exactly how I wanted it.
---
KISS'S POV
I didn't sleep well that night.
Not because of the near accident.
Not even because of Adrian.
But because I felt watched.
The kind of feeling that creeps under your skin—the sensation that something unseen had already decided your fate.
Morning came too fast.
My phone buzzed.
📩 UNKNOWN NUMBER:
Your interview results will be communicated soon. Please stay available.
My stomach tightened.
Why did it feel like everything was already decided?
I stared at the message before locking my screen.
"Get it together, Kiss," I whispered.
Switzerland was still the plan—just delayed.
Once I secured this job, I'd gather evidence, secure my mother's properties, then disappear quietly.
No more drama.
No more powerful men.
No more danger.
But deep down, I knew—
Nothing about my life was quiet anymore.
---
CHRIS'S POV
I poured myself a drink, watching the ice swirl lazily in the glass.
Adrian Goodwill warned me.
That alone made her interesting.
"Kiss Hilson," I murmured.
A woman who didn't beg.
A woman who didn't bow.
A woman Adrian wanted protected.
That meant she was either fragile—
Or powerful enough to destroy him.
I smiled slowly.
"She doesn't even know," I said to the empty room, lifting my glass.
Outside, the city glittered like a battlefield waiting to ignite.
"And when she does," I added softly,
"it'll already be too late."