Chapter 2 - Adrian’s Men Took Me to a Hidden Clinic—Then I Learned Someone Had Been Tracking Me for MonthsI woke the next morning in a room I didn't recognize.
For three terrifying seconds, I couldn't remember where I was.
Then everything came rushing back.
The alley.
The gunshots.
The blood.
Adrian.
I sat up.
A woman in a dark suit stood beside the door.
“Good morning.”
I stared at her.
“Where am I?”
“You're safe.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
She studied me.
“Mr. Duca's private clinic.”
My heart began racing.
“I need to leave.”
“You can.”
The woman stepped aside.
“But you shouldn't.”
I swung my legs over the bed.
“What happened to Adrian?”
“He survived surgery.”
Relief washed through me.
“Where is he?”
“Downstairs.”
“Can I see him?”
“No.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“He asked that you be kept away.”
That hurt more than it should have.
“He asked that?”
“Yes.”
I stood.
“Then I'll leave.”
The woman blocked the door.
“Mr. Duca also ordered that you not be allowed to leave alone.”
I stared.
“That's contradictory.”
“He's a complicated man.”
“So I've noticed.”
She almost smiled.
“My name is Sofia.”
“Sofia what?”
“Sofia Marquez.”
She handed me a glass of water.
“Drink.”
I didn't.
“Why am I here?”
Sofia's expression changed.
“Because someone has been watching you.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
She placed a folder on the table.
Inside were photographs.
Me leaving the hospital.
Me entering my apartment.
Me buying groceries.
Me sitting in a café.
Me walking beside Ryan.
My blood ran cold.
“How long?”
“Approximately four months.”
Four months.
That was before Adrian and I had ever met.
“Why?”
“We don't know yet.”
I looked at the photograph of Ryan.
He was standing beside me.
Someone had circled his face.
“Who took these?”
Sofia didn't answer.
Then the door opened.
Adrian walked in.
He looked pale.
A bandage covered his shoulder.
He was wearing a black shirt and trousers.
No tie.
No jacket.
But even injured, he carried himself like a man accustomed to being obeyed.
“You shouldn't be standing.”
I stared at him.
“You shouldn't be walking.”
“I've done worse.”
“That doesn't make it smart.”
His eyes met mine.
For a second, neither of us spoke.
Then Adrian looked at Sofia.
“Leave us.”
She obeyed.
The door closed.
“You saved my life,” he said.
“You're welcome.”
“You also put yourself in danger.”
“I didn't know who you were.”
“You know now.”
“Yes.”
“And you're still here.”
“I want answers.”
He nodded.
“Good.”
He sat.
I remained standing.
“Why was someone following me?”
“I don't know.”
“That's not good enough.”
“I agree.”
He looked at the photographs.
“Whoever is behind this knew your routine.”
“Could it be Ryan?”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because he's my fiancé.”
“I know.”
My head snapped up.
“How?”
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
“I had someone investigate everyone close to you.”
“You investigated my fiancé?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't trust coincidences.”
I felt anger rising.
“You don't get to investigate my life.”
“No.”
His voice softened.
“I don't.”
“Then stop.”
He looked at me.
“I will.”
That answer surprised me.
Then he continued.
“But you need to understand something.”
“What?”
“Your fiancé has been lying to you.”
My stomach twisted.
“What did he lie about?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Then don't accuse him.”
Adrian leaned back.
“I didn't.”
“You just said—”
“I said he's been lying.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he met with a man three weeks ago.”
“Who?”
Adrian slid a photograph across the table.
My hands trembled when I saw it.
Ryan.
Standing beside a man I didn't recognize.
The location was a parking garage.
The date was three weeks earlier.
“What were they discussing?”
“We're finding out.”
I stared at the picture.
Ryan had told me he was working late that night.
He had kissed my forehead before leaving.
He had said:
I'll call you when I get home.
He never did.
I swallowed.
“Maybe there's an explanation.”
Adrian looked at me.
“You still love him.”
It wasn't a question.
I looked away.
“I thought I did.”
His expression softened.
“That's different.”
I didn't answer.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
“Duca.”
A man's voice came through faintly.
Adrian's expression changed.
“Where?”
Silence.
“Send everyone.”
He stood.
“What happened?”
He looked at me.
“Your apartment was broken into.”
My blood turned to ice.
“Was anyone hurt?”
“No.”
I grabbed my coat.
“I need to go there.”
“No.”
“It's my home.”
“Exactly.”
“Adrian—”
He stepped closer.
“Someone entered your apartment while you were gone.”
His voice was quiet.
“They weren't looking for valuables.”
“What were they looking for?”
May you like
His eyes met mine.
“You.”
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