Julian Blackwood was not what Ife expected.
She had imagined someone loud, cruel-looking, obvious in his villainy. A man who shouted and threatened and broke things to feel powerful.
Julian did none of that.
He walked into the room the next morning dressed simply—dark trousers, white shirt, sleeves rolled up like he was about to work, not ruin lives. His hair was neatly trimmed, his movements calm and deliberate.
He smiled when he saw her.
"Ife."
She stood immediately. "You don't get to say my name like you know me."
Julian chuckled softly. "I know you better than you think."
Her nails dug into her palms. "You kidnapped me."
"No," he corrected gently. "I intercepted you."
"That's not better."
He gestured toward the chair across from her. "Sit. Please."
She didn't.
Julian studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough."
He leaned against the table instead. "You walked away from Arden yesterday."
"I walked away from danger," she said.
"And straight into safety," he replied.
She laughed bitterly. "You call this safety?"
"I call it foresight." His eyes sharpened slightly. "You love a man who doesn't understand the weight of his name."
"I understand it," she snapped. "I just refuse to be crushed by it."
Julian smiled at that. "That's exactly why you matter."
Her stomach turned. "To you?"
"To him," Julian corrected. "And to me—by extension."
She folded her arms. "Say what you really want."
Julian's expression softened, almost sincere. "I want Arden alive."
Ife froze.
"He thinks defiance is bravery," Julian continued. "It's not. It's suicide dressed in pride."
"You're threatening him," she said quietly.
Julian shook his head. "I'm explaining the rules."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I built this empire with blood and patience. Arden wants to burn it down for love."
"And that offends you."
"It worries me."
Ife met his gaze, unflinching. "You don't care about him. You care about control."
Julian didn't deny it. "Control keeps people breathing."
She scoffed. "At what cost?"
Julian studied her for a long moment. "At yours, if necessary."
The words landed like a slap.
Silence stretched between them.
Then Julian sighed. "But I would prefer not to."
Across the city, Arden moved like a man already dead.
Victor drove while Arden stared out the window, jaw tight, thoughts sharp and focused.
"Julian will expect noise," Victor said. "Brute force. Rage."
"He'll get silence," Arden replied.
Victor glanced at him. "You sound calm."
"I'm not," Arden said. "I'm clear."
They stopped at an old warehouse near the docks. Rusted metal. Forgotten by the city.
Inside, men waited—faces Arden recognized from his father's past. Loyal. Dangerous.
Victor addressed them briefly. "We retrieve the woman. No casualties unless necessary."
Arden stepped forward. "She doesn't get touched. Not threatened. Not used."
One of the men smirked. "You sound in love."
Arden's stare was cold. "I am."
No one laughed.
Back at the house, Ife sat alone by the window hours later, staring at the garden she wasn't allowed to enter without supervision.
Julian's words replayed in her head.
At yours, if necessary.
Her phone buzzed again.
This time, an unknown number.
Unknown:
You shouldn't be there.
Her heart skipped.
Ife:
Arden?
A pause.
Then:
Unknown:
Victor. He's coming for you.
Her fingers shook.
Ife:
Julian knows.
Victor:
Of course he does. That doesn't mean he can stop it.
She stared at the screen.
Ife:
This is my fault.
Victor:
No. This is family.
She almost laughed at that.
Before she could reply, the phone was taken from her hand.
Julian stood beside her, expression unreadable.
"You should rest," he said calmly. "Tomorrow will be emotional."
"What happens tomorrow?" she asked.
Julian smiled faintly. "You'll decide who Arden becomes."
Her throat tightened. "You're asking me to choose between love and survival."
Julian leaned closer. "I'm asking you to choose which one lasts longer."
Night fell heavy and humid.
At midnight, the compound lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Julian paused mid-step.
Victor's voice echoed through the security system.
"Julian," Victor said calmly. "You should've let her walk away."
Julian smiled slowly. "Ah. There it is."
Alarms blared.
Guards shouted.
Julian turned toward Ife. "It seems Arden loves loudly after all."
Her heart pounded wildly.
Julian's smile faded. "Stay here."
She didn't answer.
Somewhere in the chaos, gunfire cracked the air.
And in the darkness between power and love, the war officially began.