m the bay. Maya gripped the seat edges with her fingers as she sat in Adrian's elegant black automobile. Her nerves were fraying, and not even th

he hadn't yet disclosed, his visage frozen in a grim determination. Maya felt suffocated by the tension between them, wanting to ask qu

d planned. As they continued to drive toward the city's industrial area, she

rained but compassionate tone. "There

to face him. "Adrian, I didn't consent to this

efore turning his gaze back to the road. "You expressed

tomobile turned into. With a gentle rumble, Adrian brought the automobile to a st

eeping through her like a chilling wave. Her voice was hardly

d into the misted alley. He did not co

d from the smell of dampness and something more, something slightly metallic. Adrian led her further into the room by moving a

buzzing with inquiries. She questioned onc

t light could discern casting a shadow across his eyes. "

time the jumble of papers and pictures spread across its surface. The hairs o

r. Surveillance photos, that is. Of her. captured at the coffee shop, outside

trite tone. "Maya, I've been monitor

her chest, Maya's head spra

assurance. "I didn't want to get you involved. However, someone else- someone dan

information at Maya, and her mind was racing, attempting to make sense of it

has been working against my business for several months. Although we have kept our dispute

aring him down with a look of

a, he's got feelings for you. I have no id

Adrian's words spun through her head. "This

ng. Maya, he's dangerous. You're currently playing a game you didn'

weak. "So what, you believe that I should disappear into your world simply be

e already involved in this, but I didn't want to bring you

belly, Maya shook her head. "Why me? I have no significan

softer as his voice remained urgent. "I'm not sure.

n lured into a realm of shadows and watched and observed. Before she ever realized it, the danger, the

breaking through the anxiety that threatened to overwhelm her

y on anyone but herself, so she didn't give trust lightly. Now, however, she found herself in this secr

ws already. Now, the

voice. "However, Adrian, if you're lying

thing honest and bare in his eyes. With a firm voice, he declare