Rain slicked streets glistened under the dim glow of the city lights. Eva hurried down the narrow alley, clutching her coat tightly around her shoulders. Every step echoed in the emptiness, but it wasn't just the drizzle that made her nerves prickle. It was the sense of being watched.
"Claire… Lila…" she whispered, pulling her phone from her pocket. Her fingers trembled as she dialed. But the alley swallowed her voice, leaving only the echo of her own fear.
Then suddenly, a firm hand grabbed hers from the back.
Eva froze. Her heart leapt into her throat. The grip was strong, unyielding, yet oddly controlled, as if the person knew exactly how far to hold her without hurting her.
"Don't run", a calm, deep voice murmured.
The alley felt smaller now, the shadows closer, the rain colder. Her mind raced. Who was this?
A figure stepped from the shadows a tall, broad-shouldered, face partly hidden under the brim of a coat. There was something intimidating about him, almost dangerous, yet there was also… purpose in the way he held her hand. Watching. Protecting.
Her chest heaved. She wanted to pull away, to run, to call Claire and Lila, but something about the strength in that grip kept her frozen.
"Eva…" the voice repeated, this time softer. "You're not safe out here."
Her mind flashed to Sebastian Hart . His charming smile, warm hugs and always the perfect gentleman when he was around. But this was different. The voice didn't match Sebastian's. It was cooler, more commanding.
Her breath hitched. A shiver ran down her spine as she realised that she wasn't alone. And she couldn't see the danger coming, but she could feel it closing in.
She managed to whisper into the phone, her voice shaky, "Claire… Lila… help me…"
The line stayed silent. The rain masked the faint echo of footsteps. Her pulse pounded as her hand was still held firmly. The stranger's presence was suffocating, yet oddly reassuring.
For a fleeting moment, her fear warred with curiosity. Who was this man? Why did he look so dangerous and yet make her feel… protected?
Somewhere behind the alley, she thought she saw another shadow .A lighter, warmer, a figure she recognized. But she didn't have time to look. The hand gripping hers tightened ever so slightly, warning her to stay still and hide quietly.
She had no idea that her life was about to change. That the secrets she didn't even know existed were closing in on her. And that the two men she thought she knew were playing very different games.