The message changed everything.
Elena could feel it. The atmosphere inside the apartment had shifted from tense to dangerous in a matter of seconds. Adrian was already moving. His phone was in his hand. His expression was cold. Focused. The kind of expression that told her someone was about to have a very bad day.
"Who took that picture?" Elena asked.
Adrian was already dialing a number.
"I'll find out."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
A few seconds later someone answered.
"Daniel. I need you to track a number."
A pause.
"Now."
Another pause.
Adrian's eyes remained fixed on the photograph.
The photograph of Elena.
Unaware.
Being watched.
When the call ended, silence filled the room.
Elena folded her arms.
"What if it's nothing?"
Adrian looked at her.
"It isn't."
His answer was immediate.
Certain.
Which only annoyed her.
"How do you know?"
"Because people don't secretly photograph strangers and send threats for fun."
She hated that he had a point.
Still...
Something about his behavior was beginning to frustrate her.
Ever since this started, everyone seemed to be making decisions for her. Marcus. Daniel. Adrian.
Everyone except Elena.
"I'm not staying inside."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Adrian's head lifted.
"What?"
"You heard me."
His jaw tightened.
"Elena."
"No."
For once she refused to back down.
"I'm tired of everybody acting like I'm made of glass."
The room fell silent.
A dangerous silence.
Adrian set his phone down slowly.
Very slowly.
"Nobody thinks you're fragile."
"Really?"
She laughed.
Because that was ridiculous.
"Since when?"
Since meeting Adrian, people had lied to her.
Kept secrets from her.
Watched her.
Threatened her.
And somehow the solution was always the same.
Hide Elena.
Protect Elena.
Control Elena.
She was tired of it.
"I'm not some helpless woman waiting to
be rescued."
Something flickered across Adrian's face.
Surprise.
Maybe even admiration.
It vanished quickly.
"You think this is about