I hadn't seen Adrian Blackwood in years, and honestly, I'd hoped I would never again. But the moment I walked into the cafe near the Weston's estate and spotted him at the counter, casually ordering coffee like he didn't have the weight of a dozen secrets on his shoulders, my heart nearly stopped.
What the hell is he doing here?
For a second, I considered walking right back out. But my legs froze. I couldn't keep my eyes off him, even as the past crashed over me like a wave I couldn't escape. Adrian blackwood wasn't just someone I'd walk away from, he was a piece of me I'd buried deep,a ghost I thought I thought I'd left behind.
Apparently, ghosts had a way of finding you.
The years hadn't changed him much. He still moved with that graceful danger, dark hair swept back, his jawline sharp enough to cut glass. He looked older, sure, but more refined refined. Like time had sharpened him, made him even more dangerous than before. And those are eyes, piercing blue, the same ones that had Always Look right through me. Landed on me.
He smiled. That, slow, smug grin that used to send chills down my spine. Still did, apparently.
"Lyra Carson," he said, his voice like a soft cover over a sharp edge. "Now this... this is a surprise."
My stomach twisted in knots. I forced a breath and straightened my spine, trying not to show how badly seeing him disturbed me. " Blackwood."
He stepped closer, casual as ever, but there was nothing casual about the way his eyes lingered on me, like he was cataloging every change since the last time we stood face to face. "I wasn't expecting to run into you in a place like this," he said, glancing around the quiet café. "A bit... dull, don't you think?"
His words might've been casual, but I knew better. Emerson didn't do "casual." Every word was calculated, every move designed to get under your skin.
"What are you doing here, Emerson?" I snapped, cutting to the point. I didn't have time for his games. I had enough on my plate, dealing with Mia's silence and Killian's impossible expectations. I didn't need Emerson stirring up old wounds.
He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "What, I can't grab a cup of coffee in peace?"
"Not here, not this close to Killian Serrano's estate," I said, narrowing my eyes. "You don't just stumble into places, Emerson. What do you want?"
His smile grew, dark and knowing, and that was all the confirmation I needed. This wasn't a coincidence.
"I've been looking for you, actually," he said, his voice dropping just enough to send a chill down my spine.
My breath seized. Looking for me?
Panic started to creep in, but I shoved it down, keeping my face calm. "Well, you've found me. Now leave."
His eyes shined with amusement. "Come on, lyra. That no way to greet an old friend, is it?"
" We were Never Friends."
He laughed,low and dangerous. "You know, you used to be better at pretending."
The words hit me harder than they should've. Blackwood had always known how to twist the knife, how to find the soft spot. but I wasn't that girl anymore, and I wasn't about to let him drag me back into whatever game he was playing.
I crossed my arms, staring at him, refusing to flinch. " whatever it is you think you are doing, whatever you want from me, forget it. I'm done with you. I'm done with your world."
His expression darkened, and for a split second, I saw the real Blackwood. The one who played dirty, who made people disappear when they became inconvenient. His voice lowered to a growl. "You think you can just walk away from it all, Lyra? From me?"
I fought the urge to back away. "I already did."
A muscle in his jaw twitched, his eyes flicking over me with a mix of anger and something else—something possessive. "You were always too naive. You think working for Weston means you're free? You've just traded one leash for another."
My heart stuttered. How the hell did he know I was working for Leo?
His smile returned, cold and sharp. "I know more than you think, Lyra. You didn't just walk away from our world. You walked into a whole new mess, and trust me, Weston's leash is a lot tighter than you realize."
My chest tightened. "You know anything about me."
"I know enough," he shot back, stepping closer, his breath warm against my skin. "And I know this—no matter how far you run, you'll never be free from it. From me."
His words filled with danger, but I refused to let him see my fear. I straightened my spine, glaring up at him. "Stay the hell away from me, Blackwood. Whatever you're up to, I'm not getting involved."
He leaned in closer, his lips nearly brushing my ear as he whispered, "You don't get a choice, sweetheart."
The breath left my lungs in a rush. I wanted to shove him away, to scream, but my body locked up, old instincts flaring to life. Blackwood always had a way of making me feel like I was backed into a corner.
He stepped back, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. "I'll see you soon, Lyra. This isn't over."
I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my voice steady. "It is for me."
He shook his head, like I'd just said something stupid. " you can convince yourself of that all you want, what deep down, you don't the truth. " is eyes locked onto mine, cold and calculating. " you never really left."
With that,he turned and walked out, leaving me standing there,my heart pounding.
The moment the door closed behind him, I exhaled, trying to get a grip on myself. My head was spinning, trying to make sense of what just happened. I hadn't seen Adrian Blackwood in years, and now he was back, digging up memories are spent so long burying.
Whatever he wanted,it wouldn't be good. And the worst part was that he was right, I hadn't escaped. Not really. Not when I was still stuck in the world of crime, pretending I could do something more.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?