Chapter 5 A dangerous attraction

Days passed since that night, but Zane's warning echoed in my mind, blending with the memory of his touch. His hand on my shoulder had felt almost gentle, a strange contrast to the hard edges of his world. I knew I should keep my head down and stay out of trouble, but I found myself watching for him, feeling an undeniable pull I couldn't ignore.

Now and then, I'd catch glimpses of him around the mansion: in the hallways, discussing business in the study, or on his way out to some undisclosed location. And every time, he seemed to sense my gaze, his eyes meeting mine for a brief, electrifying moment before he'd turn away. It was like he knew I was there, watching, and the intensity of his stare was enough to leave me breathless.

One evening, I found myself alone in the garden. I'd slipped outside to escape the tension within the mansion, finding comfort among the blooming flowers and quiet night air. But I wasn't alone for long. Footsteps approached, and I tensed, only to relax when I saw it was him.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, his voice softer than I was used to hearing.

I nodded, unsure what to say. Standing here, with just the moonlight illuminating his face, he seemed different intimidating, almost vulnerable.

He looked out over the garden, a faint smile on his lips. "This was my mother's favorite spot," he said, surprising me. "She used to spend hours out here."

I hadn't expected such a personal confession from him, and it caught me off guard. "It's beautiful," I replied, looking around at the carefully tended roses and ivy-covered arches.

Zane was silent for a moment, then turned his gaze on me, his expression unreadable. "This isn't the life you wanted, is it?" he asked, his tone almost gentle.

His question struck a nerve, and I looked down, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. "I didn't have a choice."

He seemed to understand, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. "Sometimes, choices are taken from us," he said quietly. "But that doesn't mean you're powerless."

A sudden noise broke the moment gunshot in the distance. Zane's demeanor instantly changed, his entire body tensing as he reached for a concealed weapon. He turned to me, his face set in a mask of fierce protectiveness.

"Stay close," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Before I could fully process what was happening, he was leading me back into the mansion, his hand on the small of my back as he guided me swiftly through the halls.

Once we were safely inside, Zane closed the door behind us, checking the locks. The tension in the air was thick, and I felt a shiver of fear mix with something else as he turned to face me, his eyes dark and intense.

"You should be more careful," he said, his voice low. "The people who want to hurt me wouldn't hesitate to use you as leverage."

My heart raced at his words, both from fear and the unmistakable thrill of his protectiveness. "Why would they care about me?"

He hesitated, his gaze softening. "Because, Bella, whether you realize it or not, you're part of my life now."

I swallowed, my heart pounding in my chest. His words left me breathless, a mixture of fear and excitement flooding through me. At that moment, I saw something in a flicker of vulnerability, of need I knew that, for better or worse, our lives were becoming entangled.