CHAPTER SIX
Adrian's POV
The second I limped through the door, blood trailing behind me, I regretted not sneaking in through the back.
Liana's sharp gasp was the first thing I heard. "Adrian! What in the world happened to you?"
I froze, caught like a kid sneaking cookies before dinner. "Uh… it's nothing. Just a scratch."
Her eyes darted to the blood dripping down my leg. "A scratch? That's enough blood to fill a small bucket! Sit down before you pass out!"
Before I could argue, she grabbed my arm and practically shoved me onto the couch. Mia stirred on the bed but didn't cry, thankfully.
"You've got some explaining to do," Liana said, dropping to her knees in front of me. Her hands hovered around my leg, not touching but assessing. "What kind of trouble did you get into?"
"It's not trouble," I said quickly.
She shot me a look. "You're bleeding all over the floor, Adrian. Trouble is written all over this."
I didn't respond. Instead, I just... stared at her. The way she was moving, quick and precise, scolding me while trying to help it reminded me of my mom when I was little.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she snapped. "Do you want to bleed out?"
"Maybe I like the attention," I teased, smirking.
I blinked, then tried to deflect. "You're really bossy when you care, you know."
"Ugh, you're insufferable!" she said, rolling her eyes as she stood up. "Don't move. I'll be back."
She marched into the kitchen, muttering something I couldn't hear, and returned moments later with a bowl of steaming water, a towel, and a bottle of disinfectant.
"This is going to sting," she said, kneeling back down.
"I've been through worse," I replied smugly.
"Yeah? Well, brace yourself, tough guy." She pressed the wet towel to the wound, and I hissed through my teeth.
"See?" she said, smirking now. "Big talk, small tolerance."
I chuckled despite the pain. "You care about me this much?"
She froze for a second, her hand mid-air, before scoffing. "Don't flatter yourself. I'd do this for anyone. It's called empathy Mr Adrain,You just happened to be the idiot bleeding in front of me today."
"Ouch," I said, clutching my chest like she'd shot me. "Right in the heart."
"Good," she said, focusing back on cleaning the wound. "Maybe next time you'll think twice before being stupid."
I couldn't help but grin. She was impossible. "Still... it's nice to see this side of you."
"What side?" she snapped, raising an eyebrow.
"The one that's not all savage comebacks and attitude," I said, leaning back into the couch.
She glared at me, but there was a hint of pink on her cheeks. "Don't push your luck. I'm only doing this because Mia doesn't deserve to see you keel over. It has nothing to do with you being special or whatever."
"Special, huh?" I teased. "So you do think I'm special."
She hissed, dabbing the wound harder than necessary. "Stop talking before I 'accidentally' make this worse."
"Ow!" I flinched, laughing. "Okay, okay, I get it. You're the boss."
She ignored me, finishing up with a focused determination. But then, as she tied off the bandage, her tone shifted. "Seriously, Adrian. Where did you go to get this injury?"
I stiffened, the smile fading from my face. "Nowhere important."
Her eyes narrowed. "Nowhere important? You're dripping blood on the floor, and it's not important?"
"It's not," I insisted, looking away.
She sighed loudly, tossing the towel into the bowl of water. "Fine. Keep your secrets. Be mysterious. Whatever."
"Liana..." I started, but she cut me off with a wave of her hand.
"Don't. I don't care," she said, standing up. "Just try not to be an idiot next time, okay? For Mia's sake."
Her words hit me harder than I expected. I watched her pick up Mia from the bed, holding her close as if to shield her from the chaos I brought into their lives.
"Thanks, Liana," I muttered.
She didn't respond. She just walked into the bedroom, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a gnawing guilt I couldn't quite shake.
Just as I was about to rest my head back and process everything, my phone buzzed in my pocket. The vibration jolted me, and I quickly fished it out, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Liana was still in the bedroom with Mia.
The caller ID flashed a name I had saved under Anonymous. My heart skipped a beat. I answered it on the second ring, pressing the phone tightly to my ear.
"Yeah?" I whispered, my voice low.
"We've got him," a gruff voice replied on the other end. "Ethan's at the location you specified. What do you want us to do next?"
I swallowed hard, my grip tightening on the phone. My mind raced, but I kept my tone steady. "Hold him there."
"Yes, sir," the voice responded.
"Did he... resist?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
"Not much. But he's running his mouth—wants to speak to you."
I closed my eyes briefly, exhaling slowly to maintain my composure. "Keep him quiet. I'll deal with it."
"Understood. Let us know when you're ready to come in."
"Fine," I said sharply, cutting the call.
As soon as the line went dead, I stayed frozen for a moment, clutching the phone like it might betray me.
"Adrian?"
Her voice startled me. I spun around to see Liana standing by the doorway, Mia cradled in her arms. Her eyes were narrowed, suspicion written all over her face.
"Who was that?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
I cleared my throat, slipping the phone into my pocket. "No one important."
She arched an eyebrow, stepping closer. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"
"It was... work," I said, quickly covering. "They needed an update on something."
"Work? At this time of night?"
I shrugged, trying to appear casual. "Deadlines don't sleep."
She studied me for a moment longer, clearly unconvinced, but didn't push further. Instead, she adjusted Mia in her arms and sighed. "Well, try not to bleed out while you're saving the world, Mr. Workaholic."
I chuckled softly, more out of relief than amusement. "Noted."
As she walked back into the bedroom, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Ethan. He was the reason I couldn't let my guard down not yet.
And Liana... She had no idea just how deep this rabbit hole went. She must not find out I took Ethan, I promise it's not jealousy, I care for Mia and I'm to protect her .