Chapter 4 4

Lila's hand trembled as she set her phone down on the kitchen counter. The cold realization washed over her, tightening in her chest like a vise. This wasn't just about Adrian anymore. Someone else was watching her, someone who knew far more than they should. And the message wasn't a compliment-it was a threat, veiled in a thin layer of flattery.

Just a friend, the text had said. But Lila knew better. She didn't have friends, not in this world of power plays and hidden agendas. Her pulse raced as she took a deep swallow of whiskey, the liquid burning a path down her throat, but it did little to steady her nerves.

She needed to think, to clear her head, but her thoughts were a tangled mess of fear, suspicion, and a growing sense of dread. She couldn't afford to fall apart now. Not when she was so close to what she wanted. She forced herself to breathe, inhaling deeply, exhaling slowly.

The rain lashed against the window, the sound growing louder as the storm picked up. It was as if the city itself was in turmoil, mirroring the chaos inside her mind.

Her phone buzzed again, the screen lighting up with another message from the same unknown number.

Don't trust him.

Two simple words, but they cut through her like a knife. Her fingers tightened around the phone, her knuckles turning white. This was no random text. Whoever it was knew about Adrian, knew about her plan.

She couldn't ignore it anymore. She needed answers.

Without giving herself time to second-guess, she grabbed her coat and slipped it back on, shoving her phone into her pocket. She barely registered the rain as she stepped outside, the cold droplets soaking through her clothes almost instantly. Her heels clicked on the wet pavement as she walked briskly to the curb, raising her hand for a cab.

It took only a few minutes before one pulled up, its tires splashing water onto the sidewalk. She slipped inside, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Where to, ma'am?" the driver asked, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

Lila hesitated for a split second, then made her decision. "Blackwood Tower."

The driver's eyebrows shot up slightly-clearly, he knew what kind of place it was-but he didn't comment, simply nodded and pulled away from the curb.

The ride was silent, save for the rhythmic patter of rain against the windows. Lila stared out at the city, the streets blurring past in streaks of light and shadow. Her mind raced with a thousand questions. Who was texting her? Why were they warning her? And why tonight, after she'd been with Adrian?

She'd thought she was in control, but now it felt like the ground was shifting beneath her feet. Everything she had built-every careful move she'd made-was unraveling faster than she could keep up.

The cab pulled up to Blackwood Tower, its sleek glass facade illuminated against the dark sky. Lila handed the driver a bill without looking, barely hearing his muttered thanks as she stepped out. The rain soaked her hair, her clothes clinging to her skin, but she didn't care. She strode toward the entrance, her heels echoing on the wet concrete.

Inside, the lobby was a stark contrast to the storm outside-quiet, polished, every surface gleaming under soft golden lights. The receptionist looked up, her professional smile faltering slightly when she saw Lila's drenched state.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" she asked hesitantly.

"I'm here to see Mr. Blackwood," Lila said, her voice sharper than she intended. She didn't have time for pleasantries.

The woman blinked, clearly taken aback. "I'm afraid Mr. Blackwood isn't-"

"He's expecting me," Lila lied smoothly. "Tell him Lila Monroe is here. It's urgent."

There was a brief hesitation, then the receptionist picked up the phone, her eyes flicking nervously back to Lila as she spoke in a low voice. A few tense seconds later, she set the phone down and nodded.

"Go right up," she said. "The elevator will take you directly to his office."

Lila didn't wait for a further invitation. She stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut behind her. The smooth, mechanical hum filled the silence as she ascended, the floor numbers ticking by rapidly. Her reflection stared back at her from the polished metal walls, her makeup smudged from the rain, her hair in disarray. For a brief moment, she didn't recognize herself-the desperate look in her own eyes.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing the dimly lit expanse of Adrian's office. The city skyline stretched out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the lights of Manhattan twinkling in the rain like distant stars.

Adrian was standing by his desk, a phone in his hand, but his gaze was already locked on her. His expression was unreadable, but there was something dangerous in the set of his jaw, the way his eyes narrowed as he took in her soaked appearance.

"Lila," he said slowly, setting the phone down. "This is a surprise."

She stepped out of the elevator, her heels sinking into the plush carpet. "We need to talk."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking over her, assessing, calculating. "You could have called."

"I got a message," she said, her voice edged with urgency. She pulled out her phone, holding it up. "From someone who knew I was with you tonight. Someone who told me not to trust you."

Adrian's expression didn't change, but she saw the flash of something in his eyes-annoyance? Concern? It was gone as quickly as it appeared. He stepped closer, his hands slipping into his pockets, the picture of calm. "And you believed it?"

"I don't know what to believe anymore," she snapped, her frustration boiling over. "I thought I was in control, but clearly I'm not. Someone is watching us, Adrian. They know things-things they shouldn't."

Adrian was silent for a moment, studying her face. Then he reached out, gently brushing a strand of wet hair from her cheek. The gesture was almost tender, but there was a hardness in his eyes that sent a chill down her spine.

"You're scared," he said quietly.

"Of course I am," she admitted, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "You told me I was playing with fire, but you never mentioned there were others involved. Who's behind this, Adrian? Is it Ethan?"

At the mention of Ethan's name, something shifted in Adrian's gaze. He stepped back, his expression darkening. "Ethan Calloway," he said slowly, as if tasting the words. "So you've been working with him all along."

Lila's heart skipped a beat. She realized her mistake too late-she had given away more than she intended. "Adrian, listen-"

He cut her off, his voice like a whip. "Did you think I wouldn't find out? Did you think you could play us both?"

"No," she said desperately, reaching for him, but he stepped out of her reach, his face a mask of icy fury.

"Tell me the truth, Lila," he demanded, his voice dangerously low. "How long have you been working with Calloway?"

She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come. The truth was tangled up with her lies, and for the first time, she couldn't separate them.

"Adrian, it's not what you think," she said finally. "I had a plan, yes. But it's different now. You're different."

He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "You're good, Lila. I'll give you that. But I don't play games I can't win."

Before she could respond, the elevator doors opened again with a sharp ding, and Lila turned to see Ethan Calloway step out, a smug smile on his face.

"Well," Ethan said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Looks like the game just got interesting."