That evening, Ava returned to the penthouse. She tried to relax, but her phone buzzed.
A text from an unknown number:
You shouldn't be alive. Stop looking or you'll regret it.
Her hands shook.
Lucien appeared behind her in an instant, dark eyes narrowing. "Show me."
She handed him the phone. His fingers moved over the screen, analyzing.
"They know where you are," he said quietly. "And they're not bluffing."
Ava felt heat rush through her body—not from fear, but from being close to him. The way he stood, tall and protective, made her want to press herself against him despite the danger.
Lucien's voice softened. "Stay close. Trust me. I will not let them touch you."
Ava's knees weakened slightly. She swallowed. "I… I trust you."
His gaze lingered on her lips for a heartbeat too long. "Good," he murmured.
And in that moment, Ava realized the danger wasn't just from the people hunting her—it was also the desire growing between her and Lucien, impossible to ignore.