The penthouse was unnervingly quiet, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Celia stood by the large windows, looking out at the sprawling city below, her arms wrapped around herself in a vain attempt to soothe the anxiety gnawing at her. Despite Ezra's words of assurance, she couldn't shake the memory of the gunmen or the fear that had seized her heart when she saw them aiming at Ezra.
Ezra paced across the room, his usual calm exterior visibly fraying. He'd made several calls since they returned inside, each conversation more heated than the last. His anger simmered just below the surface, and Celia could feel it radiating off him like heat from a fire.
"I don't understand how they got this close," Ezra muttered, running his hand through his hair. "We've tightened security; we should've seen this coming."
Celia turned away from the window, her voice hesitant. "What do we do now?"
Ezra stopped pacing, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "We stay alert. And we plan." He walked over to her, his expression softening just slightly. "But most importantly, I need you to trust me, Celia. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
She wanted to believe him, but the enormity of the situation weighed heavily on her. "Ezra, this—this is all because of me, isn't it? Ferrara wouldn't be after you if—"
"Stop." Ezra's voice was firm, his hand reaching out to gently cup her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "This isn't your fault. None of this is on you."
Celia swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. "But my father's debt… it all comes back to that. If he hadn't—"
"We can't change the past," Ezra interrupted, his voice low but insistent. "What matters is that we're dealing with it now. Together."
There was something in his eyes—an intensity that made her heart race. In that moment, the tension between them shifted, something deeper and more intimate rising to the surface. For the first time in a long while, Celia didn't feel the walls between them so strongly. It was as though Ezra had let her in, even if just for a brief moment.
Before she could respond, a loud knock echoed through the penthouse, startling them both. Ezra's body tensed immediately, his protective instincts flaring up. He motioned for Celia to stay back as he strode toward the door, his hand discreetly hovering near the hidden compartment in his jacket where his gun was stashed.
He opened the door cautiously, and Celia's heart sank when she saw who stood on the other side.
Tessa.
Her former best friend, now the woman who had betrayed her and tangled herself with Ezra. Tessa's eyes were bright with anger, her arms crossed over her chest as she took in the sight of the two of them together.
"Well, isn't this cozy?" Tessa's voice dripped with sarcasm, her gaze shifting between them with a mixture of bitterness and disdain.
Ezra stepped forward, his expression hardening. "What do you want, Tessa?"
Tessa's eyes narrowed. "I came to talk. About what's been happening—and about her." She jerked her chin in Celia's direction, her words laced with venom.
Celia felt her chest tighten, but before she could say anything, Ezra spoke again, his voice cold and authoritative. "If you have something to say, Tessa, say it. But don't waste our time."
Tessa's lips curled into a sneer. "Don't act like you're not in deep, Ezra. Ferrara's coming for you both, and you know it. I'm trying to help you, but you're too blind to see it."
Ezra's eyes flashed with anger, but his voice remained calm. "Help? You've done nothing but betray the people you claim to care about, Tessa. What makes you think we'd trust anything you have to say?"
Celia watched the exchange in silence, her emotions roiling inside her. The betrayal still stung, but there was something more. A creeping sense of dread. Tessa was right about one thing—Ferrara was coming, and he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.
Tessa crossed her arms tighter, her gaze never leaving Ezra's. "You think you're so smart, so untouchable. But you're not, Ezra. You've made enemies, powerful ones, and they're not just coming for you. They're coming for her too."
The air in the room grew heavier, and Celia's heart raced as she took a step forward. "What are you talking about, Tessa?"
Tessa's gaze finally shifted to her, her expression unreadable. "Ferrara's not the only one after you, Celia. There are others. People your father owed… more than just money. You're a loose end they want tied up, and they're not going to stop until they have you."
Celia's stomach dropped. She looked to Ezra, who was already taking a step toward Tessa, his face a mask of fury.
"Enough," Ezra growled. "You're not helping. You're trying to scare her."
Tessa shook her head, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You think you can protect her, but you don't even know who's really after her. You're both out of your depth, Ezra."
Ezra's jaw clenched, his fists tight at his sides. "Get out, Tessa."
For a moment, Tessa hesitated, her eyes flicking back to Celia. There was something almost regretful in her gaze, but it was quickly replaced by cold indifference. Without another word, she turned and walked out, leaving the door hanging open in her wake.
Ezra slammed it shut behind her, his hands shaking slightly as he turned back to Celia. His eyes softened as he approached her, the anger from the confrontation fading into concern.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, reaching out to touch her arm. "I didn't mean for her to come here. I'll make sure she stays away from now on."
Celia nodded, though her mind was still reeling from what Tessa had said. "Do you think she's right? About there being more people after me?"
Ezra's face darkened. "I don't know. But I'm going to find out."
Celia swallowed hard, her emotions in turmoil. Despite the fear and uncertainty, one thing was clear—she couldn't face this alone. And whether she liked it or not, Ezra was her only ally in this dangerous game.
"I trust you, Ezra," she said quietly, meeting his gaze. "But I need to know everything. No more secrets."
Ezra hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "You deserve that. I promise, I'll tell you everything."
As the tension between them slowly began to ease, Celia felt a strange sense of relief wash over her. She wasn't sure what was coming next, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she had someone truly on her side.
And whatever happened, they would face it together.