THE EXILED WARLORD

"Do you really love me, Evelyn? Or is this just a game to you?" Adrian asked softly.

Evelyn looked at him, her eyes wide. "Adrian... why would you say that?"

"I need to know" he said. "Because I don't have a lot to give. No big family. No money. Just me."

She reached across the table and took his hand. "That's all I want"

Adrian Voss had never believed in love until he met her. Evelyn Hart. She was smart, kind and full of fire.

Her smile could melt walls and her eyes could silence a room.

She came from a rich and powerful family. The Harts were known for money, politics and pride.

But Evelyn... Evelyn was different.

Adrian was a trained soldier. He worked for a private security company tough jobs, quiet missions.

He was good with his hands even better with his head. But around Evelyn, he felt like a boy with no armor.

They met on a job.

He had been hired to protect the Senator's family during a political event. Evelyn had slipped away from the crowd, annoyed by the cameras.

"I hate fake smiles" she told him that night.

"You're good at them" he said.

She raised a brow. "That's not a compliment."

"It wasn't meant to be" he replied.

She laughed.

They sat on a rooftop weeks later, eating fast food and watching the stars.

"I don't understand you," Evelyn said, sipping her drink.

"What's there to understand?" Adrian asked.

"You don't care about the things other guys care about. Money. Cars. Fame."

Adrian shrugged. "I care about loyalty. Truth. Silence."

"Silence?" she smiled.

"Sometimes silence says more than words."

She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Then I guess I'll stop talking."

They sat there, quiet, but the air between them was loud with something real.

Time passed. They got closer.

Evelyn started calling him every night. She told him about her day, her dreams, her fears.

"My dad wants me to marry someone from a good family" she once whispered.

"Then I guess I'm not on the list" Adrian replied, trying to joke.

But she didn't laugh.

"No. But I want you, not them," she said. "Will you stay, Adrian? Even if my family doesn't want you?"

He answered without thinking. "Yes."

"Why?"

He looked her straight in the eyes. "Because you're the only person who ever made me feel like I'm more than just a weapon."

Her family didn't like him.

The Senator called him "a low-class protector."

Her mother barely looked at him.

But Evelyn didn't care.

"You'll see," she said one night. "One day they'll understand. We'll leave if we have to."

He kissed her hand. "Wherever you go, I'll follow."

She smiled. "Even if it means giving up everything?"

Adrian nodded. "Even that."

One morning, Evelyn called him in a panic.

"I need you. Now. Meet me at the lakeside cabin."

Adrian grabbed his jacket and rushed out. When he got there, she was pacing.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"My dad... he's in trouble," she said.

"What kind of trouble?"

"Something about a leak. A threat. He says everything could fall apart."

Adrian frowned. "You want me to help him?"

"I want you to help us," she said. "This could ruin everything. And if that happens, he'll never let me be with you."

Adrian didn't answer for a second. He was thinking. Slowly. Carefully.

"I'll do whatever you need," he said finally. "But promise me something."

"Anything."

"Don't let me regret this."

She stepped close, placing a hand on his chest. "You won't. I swear"

Later that night, Adrian sat with Evelyn by the fire.

"I've never trusted anyone like this before," he told her.

"I've never needed anyone like this before," she replied.

He looked into her eyes.

"If I have to fight for you, I will. If I have to leave everything behind, I'll do it. Just say the word."

Her voice was soft. "I already said it."

And they kissed.

The next day, Adrian stood outside the Hart mansion, waiting.

Senator Marcus Hart opened the door himself.

"You again" he said coldly.

"I'm not here for your blessing," Adrian replied. "I'm here because Evelyn asked for my help."

The senator stepped aside slowly. "Come in."

Inside the house, everything was quiet. Tense.

Adrian noticed papers on the table. Security files. Names. Maps.

"I understand you need a problem solved," Adrian said.

The senator narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure you're ready for what I'm going to ask?"

"If it's for her, yes."

Marcus nodded once. "We'll talk tomorrow. I need time to think."

Adrian turned to leave.

"Wait," the senator said.

Adrian stopped.

Marcus looked at him with something close to respect or maybe just calculation.

"You'd give up everything for my daughter?"

Adrian answered without blinking. "Yes. Even my freedom."