The intruder's shadow stretched across the floor, and Lia's heart skipped a beat. Leo's jaw clenched, protective aura radiating like a wall between her and the unknown threat.
"Stay behind me," he ordered sharply, no longer just commanding—it was a warning.
Lia hesitated. She wanted to obey and wanted to stay safe. But something inside her refused to hide. The files Marcus had left, the secrets she'd uncovered—they mattered too much. She couldn't just watch.
"I can help," she said, stepping forward.
Leo's eyes shot to hers—intense, piercing. "No. This isn't some game. You can't—
"I'm in this already," she cut off firmly, though her voice shook. "I won't let them hurt anyone. I've come too far to step back now."
He watched her for one of those long, stretched moments when the air is taut. Then he exhaled heavily and settled his weight, nodding once. "Fine. But we do it my way. No mistakes."
A thrill of fear and excitement ran through Lia. Silent, instinct aligned, they moved together toward the server room. The intruder was close—too close—but every step felt electric, every heartbeat loud.
The shadow moved in the corner now, so quick she had no time to react. Leo lunged forward, pushing her behind him, their bodies colliding. In the confusion of it all, Lia's hand brushed against his chest, then his lips met hers in a forceful, urgent kiss that was both a warning and an instinctive move.
Her eyes went wide. Immediately, he stepped back, the tension crackling between them like static electricity in silent accusation.
Just as they got their bearings back, the intruder stepped forward—a figure familiar but far more dangerous than either of them could have imagined.