Marcus was still passed out on the couch.
His breathing had evened out sometime during the night, soft and shallow, his bruised face barely visible under the thin blanket we'd thrown over him. Tess and I had taken turns checking on him through the early hours, but now the sun was leaking through the blinds and it was clear, he wasn't going anywhere on his own.
I rubbed my eyes and padded quietly to the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water. My stomach was a tight knot of nausea and nerves. I should've felt something... anger, fear, pity. But mostly, I just felt... blank. Like my mind had disconnected from my body and was letting muscle memory carry the rest.
I reached for my phone and dialed Adrian. He picked up on the second ring.
"I can't come in today," I said, without greeting. "I have a..."
"I know," he cut me off. "Family emergency. I'll be there in fifteen."
"What?" I blinked. "No, I wasn't asking you to come."
"If you're worried about Marcus, he can be admitted to our facility. He'll get the best care there."
I froze. My heart climbed to my throat. "How did you know it was Marcus?"
There was a pause. Then his voice came smooth, cool. "Because I'm the one who did it."
A beat of silence followed.
"What?"
"You heard me," he said. "Get dressed. I'll be outside soon."
The line went dead.
I stood there holding the phone, my hands shaking. For a second, I couldn't move. Couldn't even breathe.
I rushed back to my room, throwing on a hoodie and jeans. Tess was still asleep, curled on the far edge of my bed. I sat down hard beside her, jostling the mattress.
"Tess," I whispered. "Tess, wake up."
She stirred. "What... what time is it?"
"I just got off the phone with Adrian," I said quickly. "He's coming. He said he did this to Marcus. He's on his way right now."
That woke her up.
She sat up fast, wide eyed, hair a mess, and for a moment, just stared at me like she wasn't sure she heard right. "What did you just say?"
"He said he did it. He's coming to get me and he's bringing people to take Marcus to his hospital."
Tess blinked, the words sinking in. "That man's insane."
"I know."
"No, Gina. That man is dangerous. And you're just standing here... are you going with him?!"
I didn't answer.
The knock on the door shattered the moment.
Loud. Heavy. Measured.
Tess and I stared at each other.
"Don't open it," she whispered.
Another knock. Followed by one of Adrian's men's voices on the other side. "Dr. Adele. We're here for the patient."
Tess stormed to the door, swinging it open before I could stop her.
Adrian stood there, clean, composed, dressed in a dark coat over an expensive suit. His men moved past him, walking straight into our tiny living room without so much as a hello. They lifted Marcus's limp body like it weighed nothing and carried him out.
Just like that.
No explanation. No permission.
Adrian glanced at Tess, then at me. "Get dressed. You can shower at work."
"I'm not going anywhere with you," I snapped, standing my ground.
He paused at the door, turning his head slowly. "If you want answers about Marcus," he said, voice low, "then you'll come."
Tess looked between us, stunned.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, then ducked back into the room to grab my bag and pull on my sneakers.
Tess followed, arms folded, pacing the small space.
"You can't go with him alone," she muttered. "You can't trust him."
"I don't," I said, slipping on my jacket. "But I need to know what he did. Why Marcus showed up here."
"I'm coming with you," she said without hesitation. "There's no way in hell I'm letting you ride off with that man and end up god knows where."
I didn't argue. I didn't have the energy.
We both got dressed in silence, checking the apartment once more before stepping outside.
Adrian was waiting on his black SUV, leaning against the side like he owned the world.
When he saw Tess, his expression soured.
"Why is she here?" he asked, annoyed.
"She's not letting me go anywhere without her," I said before Tess could speak.
Adrian narrowed his eyes at her. "Where was she when you decided to shack up with Marcus? Took a day off from protecting you then?"
Tess stepped forward, fire in her eyes. "You don't know the first damn thing about me, Adrian Huntley. And don't think I won't find out what skeletons you've got tucked in your thousand dollar coat."
Adrian opened his mouth to reply, but a second voice interrupted.
"Easy, brother," Harrington called out, stepping out from the passenger side and flashing a grin. "Can we not get into a screaming match before breakfast?"
He walked around the car and opened the door for us with an exaggerated bow. "Ladies."
I glanced at Tess, who rolled her eyes but got in beside me.
The moment the door shut, the car pulled off with Adrian at the wheel.
The ride was... tense.
Tess didn't hold back.
"You think this is normal?" she snapped at Adrian. "Sending men into someone's home? Having Marcus beaten half to death? Kidnapping him from our damn couch?"
Adrian didn't answer. His gaze stayed fixed on the road.
"You say you care about Gina, but this... this isn't care. This is control."
"Do you ever shut up?" he muttered under his breath.
"Not when I'm sitting next to a psychopath, no."
"Okay, okay," Harrington finally said, holding up both hands like a referee. "Can we all just take a breath? My brother's got the emotional range of a brick, but he's not going to hurt either of you. You've got my word."
Tess scoffed. "That's real comforting."
"You're feisty. I like it," Harrington added with a grin.
Tess didn't reply. She just glared out the window, arms crossed.
As we pulled into the guarded estate, silence fell over the car.
Even Tess went quiet, eyes darting around at the guards stationed along the perimeter, all armed, all watching.
The car came to a slow stop in front of a grand, modern building.
Adrian got out first. Then Harrington, who opened our door again with a wink.
"Welcome to hell," he muttered playfully.
We stepped inside and were immediately met by Dr. Rita Preston, standing tall with a clinical smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Her gaze scanned Tess up and down like she was something under a microscope.
Tess stepped forward before I could say anything.
"I'm Gina's best friend," she said clearly. "And I know who you are. Today's not the day to try me. I'm not Gina."
Rita tilted her head, amused.
Harrington's voice came from behind us. "Oh, I definitely like this one."