It seems I made a mistake. I didn't actually continue the story, but instead
Elijah's eyes seemed to bore into Rory's soul as he waited for her response. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she met his gaze.
"I'll do whatever it takes to help you," trying to sound confident.
Elijah nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I appreciate your willingness to help, Rory," he said. "But I need to warn you, what I'm about to tell you is not for the faint of heart."
Rory felt a surge of curiosity. What could Elijah possibly have to tell her that was so shocking?
"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elijah leaned forward, his eyes glinting in the dim light of the study. "I'm not who you think I am," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
Rory's eyes widened in surprise. What did Elijah mean? Who was he, really?
Rory's mind was racing with questions, but Elijah's expression was unreadable. He seemed to be studying her, waiting for her reaction.
"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Elijah leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "I mean that my life is not as simple as it seems," he said. "I have... obligations, responsibilities that go beyond my business interests."
Rory's curiosity was piqued. What kind of obligations could Elijah possibly have? And what did they have to do with his business interests?
"Obligations?" she repeated. "What kind of obligations?"
Elijah's expression turned grim, and he hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm involved in some... delicate matters, Rory," he said. "Matters that require a certain level of discretion and caution."
Rory's eyes widened as she realized the implications of Elijah's words. He was involved in something big, something that could potentially put him and others in danger.
"What kind of matters?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elijah's eyes seemed to bore into hers, and for a moment, Rory felt like she was drowning in their depths.
"I'll tell you everything, Rory," he said. "But you have to promise me one thing."
Rory's heart was racing with anticipation. What did Elijah want her to promise?
"What is it?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Elijah's expression turned intense, and he leaned forward, his eyes blazing with a fierce inner light.
"You have to promise me that you'll trust me, no matter what," he said. "Can you do that, Rory?
Rory's mind was reeling as she considered Elijah's request. She had only known him for a short time, and yet he was asking her to put her faith in him completely.
"What makes you think I can trust you?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Elijah's eyes seemed to darken, and he leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.
"I've done things, Rory," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "Things that I'm not proud of. But I've always tried to do what's right, even when it's hard."
Rory felt a shiver run down her spine as she listened to Elijah's words. There was something about him that seemed to draw her in, something that made her want to believe in him.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Elijah's story, that there were secrets and lies lurking just beneath the surface.
"What are you hiding, Elijah?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elijah's eyes seemed to flash with anger, and for a moment, Rory thought she saw a glimmer of something else, something darker and more sinister.
But then his expression smoothed out, and he smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"I'm not hiding anything, Rory," he said. "At least, not from you. But there are things that I need to keep hidden, for your own protection."
Rory felt a surge of frustration. She was tired of being kept in the dark, tired of being treated like a fragile flower that needed to be protected.
"I can take care of myself, Elijah," she said, her voice firm.
Elijah's eyes seemed to narrow, and he leaned forward, his face inches from hers.
"I'm not so sure about that, Rory," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You're in over your head, and you don't even know it.
Rory's heart was racing as she met Elijah's gaze. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized the intensity of his emotions.
"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Elijah's eyes seemed to bore into hers, and for a moment, Rory felt like she was drowning in their depth , Rory saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. A glimmer of possessiveness, a hint of obsession.
And in that moment, Rory realized that she was trapped
"You are in danger Rory " he said,his voice low and urgent ." And I'm the only one who can protect you "