The figure by the window didn't move immediately. Lila's heart thundered in her chest as she tried to make sense of the situation. The city lights behind the shadowy form cast an eerie halo around them, but the features were unrecognizable.
Her breathing quickened. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling but determined.
The figure shifted slightly, turning toward her, but the shadows still concealed their face. "You shouldn't be here," came a low, gravelly voice.
Before she could react, heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway. Damian appeared, his gray eyes sharp and calculating as they locked onto the intruder. "Step away from her," he commanded, his voice like ice.
The intruder hesitated, then made a sudden dash toward the balcony. Damian surged forward, his movements quick and precise. Lila barely had time to process what was happening before the two men collided, a loud crash breaking the stillness of the penthouse.
"Lila, stay back!" Damian barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Frozen in place, she watched as Damian grappled with the stranger. The intruder was strong, but Damian moved with a practiced ease that suggested he'd done this before. Within moments, Damian had the man pinned against the balcony railing, the city stretching out in a dizzying expanse below them.
"Who sent you?" Damian demanded, his voice cold and deadly.
The man grunted, struggling against Damian's grip. "You know who," he spat.
Damian's expression darkened, his knuckles whitening as he tightened his hold. "Tell me, or I'll make sure this is the last night you ever see."
"Damian, stop!" Lila cried, finally finding her voice. She took a hesitant step forward, her hands trembling. "You don't have to—"
"This isn't your world, Lila," Damian said without looking at her. "Stay out of it."
The man let out a harsh laugh. "She doesn't even know, does she? Poor girl, caught in the middle of something she'll never understand."
Damian's grip faltered for a split second, and the intruder took the opportunity to twist free. Before Damian could react, the man vaulted over the balcony railing, disappearing into the night.
Lila rushed to the edge, her breath hitching as she looked down. The balcony was several stories high, but there was no sign of the intruder. It was as if he'd vanished into thin air.
Damian cursed under his breath, running a hand through his hair. His usually composed demeanor was gone, replaced by a raw, simmering anger.
"What just happened?" Lila demanded, turning to him. "Who was that? What did he mean about me not knowing anything?"
Damian didn't answer. Instead, he walked back inside, grabbing his phone from the counter. He dialed quickly, his tone clipped as he spoke. "He got away. Double the security detail. I want every camera checked, every blind spot accounted for. No one gets in or out without my permission."
Lila followed him, her frustration boiling over. "Damian, talk to me! You can't just brush this off like it's nothing!"
He ended the call, his shoulders tense. "You need to pack a bag," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"You can't stay here anymore. It's not safe."
"Not safe?" she repeated, incredulous. "Where am I supposed to go? You said this was the safest place—"
"And now it's compromised," he interrupted, turning to face her. "I'll handle this, but you can't be here while I do."
She stared at him, a mix of fear and anger bubbling up inside her. "You keep saying you'll handle it, but I'm the one who's being targeted! Don't I get a say in any of this?"
Damian's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Lila, I know this is terrifying. But I need you to trust me. Please."
She hesitated, the vulnerability in his voice catching her off guard. "Where will I go?"
"I have a safe house," he said. "It's remote, secure, and no one knows about it. You'll be safe there."
"And what about you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
His gray eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw something break in his gaze. "I'll be fine. This is what I do."
---
A few hours later, Lila found herself in the back of another sleek black car, the city lights fading behind her as they drove into the night. Damian sat beside her, his presence both reassuring and unnerving. He hadn't said much since the intruder's escape, his focus entirely on ensuring her safety.
As the car wound its way through darkened roads, Lila couldn't help but glance at him. "Damian," she began hesitantly. "Who are you really? And don't give me the 'just a businessman' answer. I think we're past that now."
He was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "I'm someone who's made a lot of enemies," he said finally. "And now, you're caught in the crossfire."
She frowned, unsatisfied with his vague response. "That doesn't tell me anything."
"It tells you everything you need to know right now," he replied.
Lila sighed, leaning back in her seat. She didn't know if it was exhaustion or resignation, but she didn't have the energy to push him further.
---
When they arrived at the safe house, Lila was surprised by how ordinary it looked. A small cabin nestled in the woods, far from the bustling city. The isolation was both comforting and unnerving.
"You'll be safe here," Damian said as they stepped inside. "There's a security system, and I'll have someone watching the perimeter at all times."
She turned to him, her arms crossed. "And what about you? Are you just going to disappear again?"
He hesitated, something flickering in his expression. "I'll come back. I promise."
Lila searched his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all she saw was a man carrying the weight of secrets too heavy to share.
"Okay," she said softly.
As Damian turned to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous than either of them had anticipated.