The tension between Ethan and Mia had become almost unbearable. Since the attack on the warehouse, their fragile partnership had grown strained, each of them weighed down by secrets and unspoken fears. For Mia, the resurfacing of her past was a nightmare she thought she had buried, while Ethan struggled to navigate the churning emotions he felt toward her—protectiveness, anger, and something far more dangerous.
---
Late one evening, as Mia sifted through the remnants of Volkova's files, her phone buzzed with a familiar, unwanted message.
Unknown Number: "Thought you'd escaped Eclipse, didn't you? One word, and your billionaire knows the real reason you stayed so close to him. $500,000 by tomorrow, or everyone finds out who you really are."
Mia stared at the screen, bile rising in her throat. Her first instinct was to tell Ethan. He already knew about Eclipse—he'd confronted her about it before—but this was different. This wasn't just her secret. It was an attack on the fragile trust they'd built.
But Ethan had enough on his plate. Between the sabotage at his company and the growing threat from Volkova, Mia didn't want to burden him further.
I'll handle it myself, she thought, though deep down, she wasn't sure how.
---
Keeping Secrets
The next morning, Mia avoided Ethan's gaze as they sat across from each other at breakfast. He was scrolling through his phone, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"You've been quiet," Ethan said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Mia flinched but quickly masked her discomfort. "Just tired," she lied, forcing a smile.
Ethan studied her, his gaze piercing. "Are you sure? You've seemed… distracted."
Mia's pulse quickened. "I'm fine, Ethan. Really."
He didn't look convinced, but he let it go. "Ryan and I are meeting with a contact today. You should rest. You've been pushing yourself too hard."
Mia nodded absently, her mind already racing with plans to trace the blackmailer.
---
Following the Trail
By midday, Mia had tracked the source of the messages to a dingy motel on the outskirts of the city. She didn't tell Ethan where she was going. He would have insisted on coming, and the last thing she wanted was for him to face more danger because of her.
When she arrived, she slipped inside the motel's rundown lobby, her senses on high alert. The clerk barely glanced at her as she headed toward the room she had identified from the signal trace.
She knocked cautiously.
A man opened the door—a wiry figure with a face she recognized all too well. It was Brent, one of Eclipse's former bouncers.
"Mia," he drawled, leaning against the doorframe. "Long time no see."
Mia's stomach churned. "What do you want, Brent?"
"You know what I want," he said, his smirk widening. "You walked out of Eclipse without paying your dues. And now you've hitched your wagon to Mr. Moneybags. Seems like you're doing just fine. So why not share the wealth?"
Mia's fists clenched. "Leave Ethan out of this."
Brent's eyes glinted. "Oh, I will. As long as you pay up. But if you don't…" He pulled out his phone, showing her a grainy video of her dancing at Eclipse, her face partially obscured by her veil.
Mia's blood ran cold.
---
The Kidnapping
Mia tried to leave, but Brent grabbed her arm. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Let me go, Brent," she snapped, trying to wrench herself free.
But Brent wasn't alone. Two other men emerged from the shadows, and before Mia could react, they overpowered her.
---
Ethan's Growing Concern
By evening, Ethan was pacing his penthouse, his phone in hand. Mia hadn't returned his calls, and Ryan's attempts to track her phone had led to a dead end.
"Something's wrong," Ethan said, his voice tight.
Ryan nodded. "She didn't mention anything about going out. You think it's Volkova?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "I don't know, but we're going to find her."
---
Mia's Ordeal
Mia woke up in a dimly lit warehouse, her body aching from the rough treatment. She was tied to a chair, her head pounding.
Brent stood before her, his arms crossed. "You're in no position to negotiate now, sweetheart. Either you get me the money, or I make sure the entire world knows who you are."
Mia glared at him, refusing to show fear. "Do what you want, Brent. I'm not giving you anything."
Her defiance earned her a slap across the face, sending her head snapping to the side.
---
The Rescue
Ethan arrived at the warehouse hours later, his expression dark with fury. Ryan had finally traced Mia's phone, and the sight of her tied up and bruised made his blood boil.
Without hesitation, Ethan and Ryan stormed the warehouse. The ensuing fight was brutal, with Ethan taking down Brent and his men in a flurry of punches and well-aimed blows.
He untied Mia, his hands gentle despite the rage in his eyes.
"Mia," he said hoarsely. "Are you okay?"
She nodded weakly, tears streaming down her face. "Ethan… I'm sorry."
---
The Fallout
Back at the penthouse, Ethan tended to Mia's injuries in silence. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold.
"You should have told me," he said, not looking at her.
"I didn't want to drag you into it," Mia replied, her voice trembling. "I thought I could handle it."
Ethan turned to face her, his expression a mix of anger and hurt. "You don't get to make that decision for me, Mia. Not when your life is at stake."
"I was scared," she admitted, tears spilling over. "Scared of losing everything—of losing you."
Ethan's gaze softened, but the disappointment lingered. "We're supposed to be a team, Mia. No more secrets. Promise me."
She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I promise."
---
A New Threat
As they sat together, Ethan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned.
Unknown Number: "This is only the beginning, Cole. You can't protect her forever."
Ethan's grip tightened on the phone as he looked at Mia. "We're not done yet."