Adeline returned to the estate under a sky streaked with violet and indigo, the night air crisp against her skin. Her heart still raced from the encounter with Rory, and the lingering images of Selena's smile haunted her. There was a dangerous energy to that woman—a storm that threatened to tear everything apart, and yet, Adeline could feel Donovan's presence calming the storm within her.She pushed open the door to the grand hall and froze. Donovan stood there, tall and imposing, dressed in black, the faint glint of the firelight catching the sharp angles of his face. His eyes, dark and commanding, locked onto hers instantly."You're back," he said, his voice low and dangerous, carrying both command and a hint of something softer, possessive."I had to see my family," Adeline said, trying to sound casual, but her voice wavered.His expression softened slightly, though the intensity never left his gaze. "I understand. But you've wandered into the night before without telling me. That could have been dangerous."She stepped closer, feeling the pull she could never resist. "I can take care of myself," she whispered, though a part of her knew that was only partially true.Donovan crossed the space between them in a single, fluid movement, his presence overwhelming. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, and then, impossibly, pulled her close. His lips pressed against hers—slow, deep, and insistent. The kiss was dark, consuming, as if he were claiming her in a way that the world could never undo.Adeline's hands found his chest, clutching at him as if to tether herself. Every nerve in her body hummed with tension and desire, and for a moment, nothing else existed. The dangers, the enemies, Selena's scheming—they were all gone, eclipsed by the fire that burned between them.When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers. "Adel… you are mine," he murmured. "And no one—no one—will take you from me.""I'm yours," she whispered, her voice trembling, yet resolute. "I've always been yours."The intimacy, the closeness, left her breathless, and yet, reality intruded almost immediately. From the corner of the grand hall, a shadow moved—Selena. She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a smile playing on her lips."Ah, how touching," Selena purred, her voice icy yet velvety. "Donovan, you always did have a flair for the dramatic. And Adeline… you look so… loyal. I must admit, I didn't expect it."Donovan stiffened but did not release Adeline. Instead, his hand moved to her waist, gripping firmly as if to remind both Selena and himself that she belonged to him. "Go," he said, his voice low and lethal. "Now."Selena chuckled softly, a sound that made Adeline's stomach twist. "Oh, I will… for now. But remember, darling, every storm comes eventually. You can't hide forever." And with that, she slipped away, leaving a trail of tension in her wake.Adeline exhaled sharply, sinking into Donovan's arms. "She's… she's dangerous," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly with fear and anger.Donovan pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know. But you… you are stronger than you think. And I will protect you. Always."Her mind still spun, a mix of desire, fear, and anticipation. She had never felt anything so intense with anyone—not with her friends, not with Rory, not even with herself. Donovan's darkness, his intensity, his danger—it all drew her in like a magnet, and she knew she would never escape it, nor did she want to.He led her to the private terrace, the city lights sparkling below them like a constellation of fireflies. The wind was cool, tugging at her hair, but the warmth between them was unrelenting. Donovan's hands traced her arms, her shoulders, a touch both possessive and reverent."Do you feel it?" he murmured, brushing her lips with his. "The world is full of shadows, danger, and enemies… but when I'm with you, even for a moment, nothing else exists."Adeline nodded, leaning into him. "I feel it. I feel you, and it's… terrifying. But I trust you. I trust us."A small smile curved Donovan's lips. "Good. Because trusting me is the only way you survive this world—and thrive in it. You are mine, Adeline. And together… we are unstoppable."The night deepened, and Adeline allowed herself to simply be with him. The dark undercurrents of their lives—the mafia, the threats, Selena's lingering presence—were there, but for a brief, stolen moment, they were just Donovan and Adeline. Two hearts locked in a dangerous rhythm, fierce, passionate, and unwilling to let go.As the night grew colder, Adeline finally pulled back, her gaze steady. "I should see my family," she whispered, needing to reconnect with her past life, if only briefly.Donovan's hand lingered on her cheek. "Go. But remember… no one else matters. Not Selena. Not the world. Only you and I. Always."She nodded, the words settling into her like a dark promise. As she walked away, the city below sparkling with life and danger, Adeline knew that this world she had entered was perilous, full of shadows and temptation—but it was also the world where she had chosen to be, with the man she had chosen to love.Her family's house appeared, small and familiar, a stark contrast to the opulence of Donovan's estate. Stepping inside, she was greeted with warmth, relief, and the unmistakable fear that only her parents could carry for her well-being. They hugged her tightly, tears streaming down their faces, grateful to see her alive, yet powerless against the life she had chosen."I'm here," she said softly, holding them at arm's length, her heart heavy but resolute. "I'm alive. And I have to be strong. For Donovan, and for myself."Her parents exchanged worried glances, but Adeline knew they would understand one day—or at least, they would try. She left them with a promise to return safely, though in her heart she knew her life with Donovan was no longer hers alone—it was entwined with danger, love, and darkness, and there was no turning back.The shadows of the city stretched long beneath her as she walked back to the estate, her resolve solidifying. Selena might be plotting, enemies might lurk, but Adeline was ready. She was Donovan's, and in that truth, she found a dark, thrilling power she had never known before.
