Chapter 2 - Shadows of the Past
The impact knocked the wind out of Daniel in a sharp, ragged gasp. His heels kicked against the hardwood floor as Adrian pinned him against the wall, one hand gripping his collar while the other braced against the wainscoting inches from Daniel’s ear.
“Listen to me very carefully,” Adrian leaned in close, his voice dropping into a register that made even Emma hold her breath. “If you ever look at her again, if you ever raise your voice in this house, or if you come within five miles of this estate, I won't just call the police. I will personally ensure that every contract, every loan, and every legal loophole keeping you out of a federal penitentiary is instantly revoked.”
Daniel’s eyes bulged with sudden, genuine terror. The alcohol-fueled courage evaporated completely, replaced by the instinctual panic of a small-time predator realizing he had finally bitten down on a shark.
“I—I was just... she owes me money,” Daniel choked out, his hands clawing weakly at Adrian’s wrist. “She’s my girlfriend! It’s a domestic issue!”
“She is an employee of this estate,” Adrian countered, his voice dripping with ice. “And you are nothing more than a parasite trespassing where you don't belong.”
Adrian turned his head slightly, catching sight of Marcus, the head of security, jogging down the corridor with two guards close behind him, having finally bypassed the delayed perimeter alert.
“Mr. Blackwood?” Marcus called out, skidding to a halt as he took in the scene.
“Take this trash off my property,” Adrian ordered, loosening his grip just enough for Daniel to drop gasping to his knees. “Escort him off the grounds, log his plates into the permanent blacklist, and if he returns, don't bother calling me—call the county morgue.”
“Right away, sir,” Marcus snapped, motioning sharply to the guards.
Two pairs of heavy hands grabbed Daniel by the arms, hauling him up off the floor before he could even catch his breath. As they dragged him kicking and cursing down the long hallway toward the front gates, Daniel twisted his neck around, fixing Emma with a look of pure, venomous hatred.
“You think this is over, Emma?!” Daniel screamed, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. “He can't protect you forever! You're dead! You hear me? Dead!”
The heavy oak front doors swung shut, cutting off the rest of his threats in a dull, vibrating thud.
Silence descended upon the kitchen once more. It was a heavy, suffocating silence, broken only by the hum of the refrigerator and the sound of Emma’s ragged breathing.
Adrian watched the doors close, slowly rolling his shoulders back into place. He adjusted his cuffs, took a deep breath, and then turned his attention back toward the pantry.
Emma was sliding down the wall, her knees pulled up to her chest, her face buried in her hands as silent, violent sobs finally tore through her.
May you like
Adrian walked over, knelt down beside her on the cold tile floor, and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
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