The café smell of burnt coffee and deceit. Adrian’s words echoed: "Know your exits. Trust no one."
I sipped my coffee, flicking through documents—Logan’s offshore accounts, shell companies—dangerous truths.
The doorbell jingled. Logan entered, his presence commanding, a predatory smile warning everyone.
I tightened my grip on the cup, forcing my breathing to remain steady.
He spotted me, his gaze pinning me, his smile cold, full of menace, no warmth.
“Elena,” he greeted, sliding into the seat, cufflinks clinking—a sound like a threat.
“You’re early,” I said, keeping my voice light.
He leaned back, eyes gleaming with mockery. “Can’t wait to see your next game.”
I matched his gaze, refusing to flinch. “Funny. I was about to ask you the same thing.”
His laughter was low, intimate, yet grating. “You’re bold, Elena. Now, it’s inconvenient.”
“Only for you,” I shot back, leaning forward. “Does it bother you, Logan? Knowing your house of cards is about to collapse?”
His smile faltered, just for a second. It was enough.
“You think you’ve won because you’ve got a few scraps of paper?” he hissed, his voice like venom. “You don’t even know what you’re up against.”
“Then enlighten me,” I challenged, my pulse pounding in my ears.
He leaned closer, whispering coldly, “You don’t have the guts to take me down.”
Before I could respond, two men entered, their eyes scanning the room, landing on us.
Logan’s smirk widened. “You should have stayed in your pretty little cage, Elena. Now, you’ll see what happens when you stray.”
I stood quickly, my chair scraping loudly. Logan didn’t flinch as eyes turned to us.
The two men closed in, suffocating. My fingers itched for the blade Adrian gave me.
“Stay,” Logan murmured, his tone mocking. “Let’s not make a scene.”
I met his gaze, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my throat. “I’m not afraid of you.”
He chuckled, standing slowly, his height dwarfing me. “You should be.”
The men lunged, chaos erupted. Logan’s grip tightened: “You’re mine, Elena. Always will be.”
As I closed the door, the thrill of the hunt surged. This time, I played for revenge.
I slipped into his office, heart racing, the bug recording. Today, I’d tear his empire down.
I pretended to admire the office, but I saw the cracks in Logan’s fortress.
I activated the recorder, scanning the folders—offshore accounts, dangerous deals, all waiting to be exposed.
But then, the door creaked open.
"Sophie," I muttered under my breath, my heart dropping into my stomach.
She stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes narrowing—she knew something wasn’t right.
I straightened up, forcing a casual smile. “I was just—”
“You’re snooping,” she interrupted, her voice low but cold. "I always knew you'd find a way to break into Logan’s world, Elena. But this?" Her gaze swept over the desk, landing on the bug I’d hidden under the papers.
I froze.
“You think you’re smart, don’t you?” Sophie took a slow step toward me, her fingers lightly brushing the edge of the desk. “You’re playing with fire.”
I met her gaze, trying to hide the panic rising in my chest. “I’m not afraid of you.”
Her lips curled into a small, cruel smile. “Oh, you should be.”
I watched her closely. Sophie was Logan’s shield, willing to bury me to protect him.
“You think Logan’s going to fall for your little act?” she asked, voice dripping with disdain. “You’re a fool if you think you’re fooling anyone.”
I leaned in, my eyes narrowing. “Maybe I am. But you’re wrong if you think Logan doesn’t have a weakness. Everyone does.”
Sophie’s eyes flickered, a brief sign of weakness, but she quickly regained her composure.
"You think you’re playing a game,” she said, her voice dangerously low.
“But you’re not. This is real. And when Logan finds out you’ve crossed him, there will be no turning back.”
I swallowed hard, but my resolve didn’t waver. “I’m not backing down, Sophie. Not this time.”
Silence thickened. Sophie exhaled sharply, turning to the door. "You'll regret this," she warned.
I barely had time to process her words before I heard Logan’s voice from the hallway.
“What’s going on in here?” he asked, his tone calm but laced with an undercurrent of danger.
Stepping back into his world, I knew mistakes weren’t allowed. But it was too late to retreat.
Logan filled the doorway, his gaze intense. "You’ve made your choice, Elena," he said.
