Chapter 4: The Man He Erased
Lianna hadn't realized how much she missed this place until she stood in front of it.
A small office above a closed-down bookstore. The sign was faded, the staircase narrow—but it was safe.
At least, it used to be.
She paused before knocking, her heart pounding softly.
In her past life, Lucien had made sure this door was closed forever.
She knocked anyway.
The door opened.
"Lianna?"
The man standing there froze in disbelief.
Ethan Moore.
Her childhood friend. Her first protector. The only man who had ever stood between her and the Blackwood family without fear.
He looked older—sharper around the eyes, exhaustion carved into his face—but when he looked at her, the warmth was still there.
"You're alive," he said hoarsely.
She swallowed. "I came back."
Ethan stepped aside immediately. "Get in."
The door shut behind her.
Inside, the room smelled like paper, ink, and late nights. Evidence boards lined the walls—strings connecting names, companies, underground dealings.
Lianna's gaze sharpened.
"You didn't stop investigating," she said.
Ethan gave a humorless smile. "I couldn't. Especially after you disappeared."
Disappeared.
Married off. Silenced. Isolated.
Lucien's handiwork.
"I broke my engagement today," Lianna said quietly.
Ethan stiffened. "To Blackwood?"
"Yes."
A long silence followed.
"You know what that means," Ethan said carefully. "He won't let you go."
"I know," she replied. "That's why I'm here."
Ethan studied her face—and then his expression changed.
"You're not scared," he said slowly. "You're… prepared."
Lianna met his eyes. "He erased you from my life once. This time, I won't let him."
Ethan exhaled deeply.
"Then we do this properly," he said. "I've been digging into the Blackwood empire for years. Money laundering. Political deals. Bodies buried where no one asks questions."
He looked at her sharply. "If Lucien realizes you're here, this place becomes a grave."
Lianna smiled faintly. "Then we won't let him realize."
—
Across the city, Lucien stood in a darkened room, staring at a familiar name on his screen.
Ethan Moore.
His jaw tightened.
"So she went back to you," he murmured.
His subordinate shifted nervously. "Sir… should we handle him?"
Lucien raised a hand.
"No," he said coldly. "Not yet."
His eyes glinted dangerously.
"I removed him once without blood," he continued. "This time, I'll make sure she watches."
The screen dimmed.
Lucien picked up his coat.
"If she wants war," he said quietly, "then I'll give her one."
—
Lianna felt a chill crawl down her spine.
She didn't know Lucien had already found her.
And that the man she trusted most…
Had just stepped back into the Mafia king's sights.