Chapter 2 FAFE

Lena's POV

Lena's eyes fluttered open, the bright morning light streaming through a window she didn't recognize. For a split second, panic seized her chest. Where was she? Her heart thudded in her ears as she scanned the unfamiliar room. The walls were sleek, painted in soft shades of gray, with modern, minimalist furniture scattered neatly around. This wasn't her apartment.

She sat up quickly, confusion clouding her thoughts as memories of the previous night rushed in like a storm. She remembered the chase, the pounding footsteps of the men chasing her, the alley. And then, Adrienne-that woman.

She could still hear Adrienne's deep, calm voice. "You're safe now. For now."

A soft sigh escaped Lena's lips as the memory settled in her mind. She'd been running for her life when Adrienne had stepped into her world, effortlessly taking control of the situation. Adrienne had saved her, but more than that, she had protected her-something Lena hadn't expected from someone who clearly lived in a world she couldn't even begin to understand.

Lena shifted uncomfortably on the bed, trying to figure out what to do next. But before she could make sense of anything, the door opened, and Adrienne entered, holding a tray with coffee and a sandwich. Her movements were quiet and purposeful, as though this kind of thing was second nature to her.

"Good morning," Adrienne said softly, setting the tray down on the bed beside Lena. She seemed different now, less cold and intimidating than she had been last night, but there was still a sharpness to her presence. It wasn't the softness that might have made Lena feel comfortable; it was something more. Something that drew Lena in without her permission.

Lena blinked up at Adrienne, still stunned. "You didn't have to do this," she said, voice hoarse from the chaos of the previous night. She reached for the coffee, trying to ease the tension in her shoulders. It had been a long night, and she was still trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened.

Adrienne sat down at the edge of the bed, her posture relaxed but still commanding. "You need to eat. It's the least I can do after last night."

Lena took a sip of the coffee, grateful for the warmth. She didn't know what to say next, her mind still too fuzzy to process the situation clearly. "Why did they come after me?" Her voice cracked slightly, and she cleared her throat, embarrassed.

Adrienne looked at her, her dark eyes unwavering. "Who?" she asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.

"The debt collectors," Lena murmured, looking down at her lap. "I borrowed money, and now... I can't pay it back. They said they were going to hurt me if I didn't have the money today."

Adrienne's jaw tightened, her expression hardening for a moment before it softened. "That's a dangerous game you're playing, Lena."

Lena winced. She knew that. She had known it the moment she'd borrowed the money, but what else could she do? She was drowning in debt. "I didn't have a choice," she said quietly. "I never thought it would get this bad."

Adrienne didn't say anything for a long moment, the silence between them heavy. She placed her coffee cup on the bedside table, her eyes never leaving Lena. "I don't think this is just about money," Adrienne said, her voice low and deliberate. "Those people... they don't look like the type to just go away. They'll come after you again."

Lena felt a chill run down her spine at the thought. She had thought the worst was over when she'd gotten away, but Adrienne's words rang with a terrifying truth she hadn't fully grasped. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do," Lena whispered, looking down at the coffee cup in her hands. She didn't want to feel like this, vulnerable, like she had to rely on someone else to fix everything.

Adrienne reached out, her hand hovering for a moment before she gently placed it on Lena's arm. "You don't have to do it alone," she said quietly, her gaze softer now. "But you need to make better choices. And next time... don't run."

Lena's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected tenderness in Adrienne's words. There was something in her tone, something unspoken, that made Lena's chest tighten. The connection between them felt strange, unfamiliar, but undeniable.

Before Lena could respond, her phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the fragile moment between them. She reached for it, quickly glancing at the screen. "I need to go to work in an hour," she said, suddenly feeling like everything was slipping through her fingers. Her fingers fumbled as she tried to type a quick reply to a message from her boss.

Adrienne watched her with quiet intensity, her eyes unreadable. "You can't go back there, not with them still looking for you."

Lena looked up, her heart sinking. "I don't have a choice. I need the money. I can't just disappear."

Adrienne stood, her movements fluid and assured. "I'll drive you," she said firmly. "But when you're done, you're coming back with me. It's not safe for you to be alone right now."

Lena hesitated. She didn't want to impose, but the thought of facing those people again, alone, made her stomach twist in knots. "Fine," she said reluctantly, standing and gathering her things. "But I'll be fine. I can handle it."

Adrienne raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but didn't argue. "I'll be waiting."

---

The drive to Lena's apartment was quiet, the soft hum of the engine the only sound between them. Lena kept her eyes on the road, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Adrienne's presence beside her was comforting, but also unsettling. There was something about her-something that made Lena want to know more, but also something that made her afraid of getting too close.

When they arrived, Lena's stomach dropped. Her apartment door was wide open, the lock clearly broken, and everything inside was turned upside down. Her heart hammered in her chest as she rushed inside, her eyes scanning the mess in horror. Clothes were scattered on the floor, furniture overturned, and drawers had been pulled out, their contents thrown carelessly on the floor.

Lena stepped back, horrified, unable to process what she was seeing. This wasn't just a break-in; this was personal.

Before she could react, she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Hey, you left your phone in the car," Adrienne said casually, but when she saw the state of the apartment, her expression shifted instantly to one of cold determination. She stepped inside, her movements quick and precise, and pulled out a gun from the waistband of her pants.

Lena's breath hitched as Adrienne moved through the apartment, her every step calculated, her focus unwavering. Lena stood frozen in place, terrified and yet somehow reassured by Adrienne's presence. Adrienne wasn't scared. She wasn't shaken. She was in control.

After a tense few minutes, Adrienne came back into the living room, her eyes scanning the space. "No one's here," she said quietly. "But it's not safe. You need to come with me."

Lena opened her mouth to protest, to tell Adrienne that she could handle it, but the words caught in her throat. How could she stay here after what had happened? The fear in her chest was suffocating.

Adrienne didn't give her a chance to argue. "Pack your things. Now."

Lena nodded, her mind too scrambled to think clearly, and she quickly grabbed what little she had left-her bag, some clothes, and the few things that still felt like home. She followed Adrienne out of the apartment, the weight of everything crashing down on her.

"I'll keep you safe," Adrienne said softly as they walked to the car, her hand brushing against Lena's in a simple, reassuring gesture.

Lena glanced up at her, her heart pounding in her chest. I don't know how I got here, she thought, but something tells me I'm not going anywhere.