Chapter 4 Dangerous Games

I stood frozen, my breath caught in my throat. The man in the dark suit-my past-was slowly pulling something from his jacket. I couldn't see clearly, but the tension in the room hit me like a punch.

"Don't move," Liam said, his voice low but firm, standing in front of me like a shield.

I wanted to run. I wanted to scream. But my legs felt weak. My hands trembled. I felt so small.

The man smiled coldly, a slow, cruel smile. "I just want a word with her."

Liam's eyes darkened. "This conversation is over."

Suddenly, the man stopped, sliding his hand back into his jacket.

A moment later, he pulled out an envelope.

I blinked, confused.

The man stepped closer, holding it out.

"For you," he said, eyes sharp.

My hands shook as I reached for it.

Liam's voice dropped to a warning growl. "Don't open it."

But curiosity won.

I tore the seal.

Inside was a single photo.

Me, with another man.

Not Liam.

My chest tightened.

Liam's hand closed over mine, squeezing.

"Who is he?" Liam demanded.

I didn't know how to answer.

I didn't even recognize the man clearly.

"He's from my past," I whispered.

The man in the suit laughed. "More secrets, Amara? I knew you were hiding things."

Liam's jaw clenched. "Enough."

He turned to me, voice softer. "Tell me everything."

I wanted to, but the words stuck in my throat.

"I'm scared," I admitted.

Liam's cold mask cracked for a moment. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

I wanted to believe him. I needed to.

But inside, I felt broken.

---

Days passed.

Liam never left my side.

He watched me like a hawk.

Every time I tried to think, the photo burned in my mind.

Who was that man?

Why was he back?

And what did he want from me?

One night, I broke.

I sat in Liam's office, tears falling silently.

"I can't do this," I said.

Liam came closer, gentle but firm.

"You're stronger than you think."

But I wasn't sure.

I felt weak.

Lost.

I needed him, but I was afraid of what that meant.

---

One evening, Liam surprised me.

He took my hand and led me to a quiet room in the penthouse.

The lights were low.

Soft music played.

I felt my heart race.

He pulled me close.

"Amara," he whispered.

His lips found mine.

This time, I didn't pull away.

His hands moved slowly over me.

I felt safe but confused.

Was this love? Control? Both?

---

Suddenly, my phone vibrated on the table.

I pulled away.

The screen showed a message:

*"You're mine, Amara. No one else."*

I looked up at Liam.

His face was dark.

"I won't let him win," he said.

I wanted to believe him.

But the fear inside me only grew.

---

The next day, Liam called a meeting.

He was serious, commanding.

He told me to stay home.

"It's too dangerous," he said.

But I felt trapped.

Like a prisoner.

I hated feeling weak.

But I couldn't fight alone.

---

That night, I sat by the window, watching the city lights.

The photo, the messages, Liam's possessiveness.

It was too much.

I felt like I was losing myself.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

Unknown number.

I answered, voice shaking.

"Amara," the voice said, cold and familiar.

It was him.

My past.

"I'm not done with you."

The voice on the phone sent a cold shiver through me.

"I'm not done with you," he said again, slow and sure.

I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling around the phone.

"Why are you calling me?" I whispered.

There was a pause.

Then he said, "Because you belong to me."

I shut my eyes, trying to hold back the tears.

"I don't belong to anyone," I said, but my voice cracked.

"Not even Liam?" His voice was sharp, mocking.

I bit my lip, silence falling.

"You can't run from your past, Amara," he said. "No matter how hard you try."

I wanted to scream, but the words stuck.

The line went dead.

I dropped the phone onto the bed.

---

Liam walked into the room without knocking.

He saw the phone, saw my face.

"Who was that?" His voice was low, dangerous.

I didn't answer.

I couldn't.

He stepped closer, eyes burning.

"I swear, if he hurts you-"

"Liam," I said, voice shaking. "It's not that simple."

He grabbed my hand, holding it tightly.

"Then tell me."

I looked at him, feeling small and scared.

"I don't know what he wants. But he won't leave me alone."

Liam's jaw clenched.

"We'll fix this," he said.

I wanted to believe him.

---

The next morning, Liam came to me with a plan.

He had hired private security.

"Safe and sound," he said, voice cold and steady.

I nodded, trying to feel relief.

But my chest felt heavy.

The fear didn't leave.

---

Days later, the threats got worse.

Strange calls. Unknown texts.

I couldn't sleep.

One night, I woke to a noise outside my window.

I peeked through the curtains.

A shadow moved quickly across the garden.

My heart jumped.

I called Liam immediately.

He rushed over, face dark with worry.

"Did you see him?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Stay inside. Don't open the door to anyone."

I agreed, but my hands trembled.

---

Liam stayed by my side that night.

When I finally fell asleep, it was only because his arms held me tight.

But even in his warmth, I felt cold inside.

---

The next morning, I tried to act normal.

But Liam wasn't fooled.

He watched me like a hawk.

Later, he pulled me into his office.

"Amara," he said softly. "You can't keep hiding."

"I don't want to hide," I said, tears threatening again.

He cupped my face.

"You're not alone."

I wanted to believe him.

But my heart whispered doubt.

---

Days passed, and the tension grew.

Liam and I argued more.

He wanted control.

I wanted freedom.

We fought over every little thing.

Once, I screamed, "You don't own me!"

He looked hurt, but didn't say a word.

I wanted to take back my words.

But I was tired.

So tired.

---

One night, Liam surprised me.

He took me to a quiet hotel room far from the city.

"No one will find us here," he promised.

The room was warm and soft.

He pulled me close, hands rough but gentle.

"Amara," he whispered, "I'm not perfect. But I'm yours."

His lips found mine.

This time, I didn't resist.

I let go.

For a moment, I forgot the fear.

The past.

The threats.

I only felt him.

---

But then, the phone buzzed again.

I pulled away.

Liam's eyes narrowed.

I read the message in silence:

*"You can run, but you can't hide."*

Liam's face went cold.

He crushed the phone in his hand.

"Enough," he said.

But inside, I felt more scared than ever.

---

The next day, Liam took me to his private office.

He locked the door behind us.

His voice was low, serious.

"I'm going to protect you, Amara. No matter what."

I looked at him, vulnerable and broken.

"Promise me," I said.

He pulled me close, his lips brushing my ear.

"Nothing will hurt you. I swear."

But even as he said it, I saw the dark shadow in his eyes.

Was it promise? Or warning?

---

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I sat by the window, watching the city lights.

My phone buzzed again.

I didn't want to check it.

But I did.

A video.

It showed me.

In my own apartment.

Someone was watching me.

I gasped.

Liam was behind me in seconds.

He grabbed the phone, his face stormy.

"We need to find him," he said.

I nodded, heart pounding.

---

Suddenly, the power went out again.

Darkness surrounded us.

I felt Liam's hand tighten on mine.

Then a whisper, cold and close:

"Game on."