The night after Adrian's warning should have been enough to scare her away.
Nina lay awake in her hostel room, staring at the cracked ceiling, her lips still swollen from his kiss, her body still trembling from his touch. Every word he had whispered echoed in her head If I ever see him touch you, I won't be merciful.
The threat should have broken her. Instead, it haunted her in ways she didn't want to admit.
Because buried beneath the danger, there was something else in Adrian's eyes: possession. Desire. A hunger so consuming it burned her from the inside out.
But then she remembered Daniel, waiting at the hostel gates, his hand brushing hers so gently it made her want to weep. He hadn't demanded, hadn't threatened. He had only asked: What is he doing to you?
Two men. Two fires. And she was trapped in the middle, burning alive.
The next morning, Daniel found her in the library.
He slid into the seat across from her, the sunlight catching the strands of his dark hair. His smile was soft, but his eyes searched hers carefully, as though he could see the storm raging beneath her skin.
"You didn't answer me yesterday," he said quietly.
Nina looked down at her notebook, her pen frozen between her fingers. "I didn't know what to say."
"Then don't say anything," Daniel replied. "Just… let me be here. Let me help."
His voice was steady, grounding. For the first time in days, she felt the tightness in her chest loosen.
But that loosening scared her, too.
"Daniel," she whispered, forcing herself to meet his eyes. "You don't understand. Being near me… it's not safe."
"I don't care." His hand brushed across the table, close to hers but not quite touching. "You're worth the risk."
Her breath hitched. His words were simple, but they carved straight through her defenses. She swallowed hard and pulled back, the guilt heavy in her chest.
Because even now, she could almost feel Adrian's gaze on her, as if he would somehow know she was here with Daniel.
Adrian did know something…,
That evening, when she arrived at his penthouse, his demeanor was different. Calm. Too calm.
He poured her a glass of wine, watching her over the rim of his glass. "How was your day?"
Nina's stomach twisted. "Fine."
His smile was sharp. "Fine. That's all you have for me?"
She hesitated. Lying to him felt pointless he seemed to read her too easily. But telling him the truth about Daniel would only invite his wrath.
"I studied," she said finally.
"Alone?"
Her throat closed. She forced herself to nod.
Adrian chuckled, setting his glass down. The sound wasn't amused it was cold, laced with something dangerous. "You're lying to me, Nina."
Her heart stumbled. "I'm not…"
He moved so fast she barely had time to react. One moment he was across the room, the next his hand was on her wrist, tugging her against him. His other hand tilted her chin upward, his gaze burning into hers.
"Don't insult me," he whispered. "I can smell him on you. That pathetic boy who thinks he can save you."
Her lips parted in shock. "Daniel's not…"
Adrian's mouth crashed onto hers, silencing her protest. The kiss was fierce, punishing, leaving her breathless and dizzy. His grip on her wrist tightened, not painful but commanding, anchoring her to him.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was a growl. "You belong to me. Not him. Not anyone else."
Nina's chest heaved. Her mind screamed at her to fight back, to tell him he couldn't control her. But her body betrayed her arching into him, trembling with need she hated herself for.
"Adrian…"
"Say it," he demanded, his lips brushing her ear. "Say you're mine."
Tears stung her eyes. She couldn't. She shouldn't.
But when his mouth claimed her throat, when his hands slid down her waist with ruthless intent, the word broke from her lips before she could stop it.
"I'm yours."
His smile against her skin was dark, triumphant. "Good girl."
Later, when the storm between them had burned itself out, Nina lay trembling in his bed, her heart a tangled mess of guilt and desire.
She had given in again. She always gave in.
And yet, when she closed her eyes, it wasn't just Adrian's face she saw.
It was Daniel's gentle, patient, steady.
Her chest ached with the weight of it.
Because no matter how much Adrian consumed her, some part of her still longed for Daniel's warmth.
The next day, Daniel caught her after class.
"Nina." His voice was urgent, his hand brushing her arm as students streamed past them. "I don't know what he has over you, but I can see it's hurting you. Let me help."
Her eyes burned. "Daniel, please….."
"You don't have to explain," he said quickly. "Just give me one chance. Let me show you what it's like to be with someone who doesn't want to own you, only care for you."
Her chest tightened, the words hitting her like a blade. Because she wanted that. She wanted him.
But she also knew Adrian would never allow it.
Before she could answer, her phone buzzed.
Adrian.
Come. Now.
Her stomach dropped.
Daniel saw her face pale, and something hardened in his expression. "It's him, isn't it? He controls you."
Nina shook her head frantically, but the denial was hollow.
Daniel's jaw clenched. "Then maybe it's time someone stood up to him."
Her breath caught. Terror and hope twisted together in her chest. Because if Daniel tried… Adrian would destroy him.
And she didn't know if her heart could survive either outcome.
That night, as she stood in Adrian's penthouse once more, his hands on her waist, his eyes sharp and unyielding, Nina realized the truth she had been avoiding.
She was caught between two fires.
Adrian's flame would burn her alive, consuming everything until nothing was left but ash.
Daniel's would warm her, heal her but might not survive against the shadows Adrian cast.
And no matter which way she turned, someone would be scorched.
The only question was who.