The night was unusually quiet, a silence that felt more ominous than comforting. Benjamin stood by the large windows of his penthouse, the city lights casting a golden hue over his tense features. Clara's laughter still echoed faintly in his mind from earlier that evening, but now, unease gnawed at him.
"Something's off," he murmured to himself, his instincts sharper than ever. Years in the mafia had taught him to trust his gut, and tonight, it screamed at him that danger was lurking.
Evelyn entered the room with a tablet in hand, her expression grim. "Lucien's men have been spotted near the docks," she reported.
Benjamin's jaw clenched. "So, he's making his move."
Evelyn nodded. "It's a diversion. His real target could be somewhere else. He's smart, Benjamin. Too smart to make his presence obvious without a reason."
Benjamin glanced at the clock. "Where's Clara?"
"She's upstairs, in the library," Evelyn said. "But I've stationed guards—"
"They're not enough," Benjamin interrupted, already moving toward the stairs.
---
Clara sat curled up in a plush armchair, a book resting on her lap. The library's cozy ambiance, with its soft lighting and the faint scent of leather-bound books, was her haven in Benjamin's world of chaos.
As she turned a page, she heard the soft creak of the door. She looked up to see Benjamin enter, his expression serious but softening slightly as his eyes met hers.
"Hey," she greeted him with a smile. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Benjamin crossed the room in a few long strides, crouching in front of her. "Clara, listen to me. Stay here and don't leave this room, no matter what."
Her brow furrowed in concern. "What's going on?"
"Just trust me," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'll handle it."
---
Benjamin descended the stairs, his mind racing. He knew Lucien's patterns, his methods. But this time, it felt personal.
Evelyn met him at the bottom of the staircase. "The guards reported suspicious activity near the southern perimeter," she said.
"Send reinforcements," Benjamin ordered. "And keep Clara safe."
Evelyn hesitated. "Benjamin, you know this could be a trap. Lucien's baiting you."
"I know," he said grimly. "But I can't let him think he has the upper hand."
As Benjamin stepped into the night, the cool air did little to calm his boiling anger. He moved swiftly toward the southern perimeter, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of intrusion.
---
Upstairs, Clara couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Benjamin's cryptic warning had left her on edge. She decided to check on him, despite his insistence that she stay put.
As she made her way down the dimly lit hallway, she noticed a figure moving stealthily toward the back of the mansion. Her heart leaped into her throat.
"Who's there?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly.
The figure froze before darting into the shadows. Without thinking, Clara followed, her fear overridden by a surge of determination.
---
Meanwhile, Benjamin arrived at the southern perimeter to find it eerily quiet. Too quiet. He signaled his men to spread out, their movements silent and precise.
A faint rustling drew his attention. He turned just in time to see a flash of movement—Lucien's men. They weren't hiding anymore.
"So, you finally showed up," Benjamin muttered under his breath, his lips curling into a grim smile.
The ensuing fight was brutal but quick. Benjamin's years of training and unrelenting focus gave him the upper hand. As the last of Lucien's men fell, he grabbed one by the collar.
"Where's your boss?" he demanded, his voice cold and unyielding.
The man smirked, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You'll find out soon enough."
---
Back at the mansion, Clara found herself in the middle of a dark hallway. The faint glow of moonlight streaming through a window barely illuminated the space. Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth, pulling her into the shadows.
Her muffled scream was cut short as a familiar voice whispered urgently, "Clara, it's me."
It was Evelyn.
"What are you doing here?" Clara whispered as Evelyn released her.
"I could ask you the same thing," Evelyn replied, her tone sharp. "You need to go back to the library now."
But before Clara could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. Both women turned to see a tall figure step out of the darkness.
"Leaving so soon?" the man said, his voice dripping with malice.
Evelyn immediately moved in front of Clara, her posture protective. "Who are you?" she demanded.
The man smiled, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Let's just say I'm a messenger."
Clara's heart pounded as the man reached into his pocket, pulling out a folded note. He tossed it at their feet before disappearing back into the shadows.
Evelyn picked up the note, her expression darkening as she read its contents.
"What does it say?" Clara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evelyn looked up, her eyes filled with dread. "It's a message for Benjamin. And it's not good."