Adrian shoved Ivy hard to the floor, and the sound of breaking glass seemed to reverberate in her ears incessantly. Adrian's hold on her arm remained firm despite her heart pounding and every instinct telling her to flee.
He said in a quiet, low voice, "Stay down," but his body's tightness betrayed him.
The floor's cold wood felt hard on her knees, and the coffee table's shattered parts were scattered around. She struggled to comprehend what had occurred, and her breath came in harsh, rapid gasps.
Her pulse was interrupted by another sound, the crunch of shoes on gravel outside.
There was someone out there.
"Adrian," she growled, hardly raising her voice above a whisper. "What's happening?"
He didn't respond right away. His body coiled like a spring, his black gaze fixed on the shattered window. At last, he faced her with a somber gaze.
"This isn't a coincidence," he said. "They are here to support me."
Her stomach fell. "Winner?"
"Probably," Adrian said. "He's getting worse. Delivering a message.
"Escalating?" Ivy's voice wavered. This isn't a communication. This is an assault.
Adrian tightened his jaw. "We're not staying here to see what happens next because of this."
He got up fast and dragged Ivy up with him. Adrian put a strong hand on her shoulder and stabilized her as she staggered, her knees shaky. His voice was harsher now as he added, "Come on." "We must relocate."
"But—"
He said, "No arguments, Ivy," in a tone that made no space for discussion.
Adrian walked her around the home with deliberate steps, each one accurate. He reached for a sleek pistol concealed in a drawer after grabbing a duffel bag from a closet and throwing it over his shoulder.
"You're carrying a gun?" Ivy's voice rose in a mixture of panic and incredulity as she questioned.
Adrian's actions did not slow, but his gaze softened. "Ivy, I don't take chances. No more.
Adrian opened the front door with a tiny squeak, and the cool night air slapped her. The storm had really come outside, with wind roaring through the trees and sheets of rain falling. The forest loomed, black and ominous, beyond the gravel road, which gleamed in the weak light from the house.
Adrian's voice could hardly be heard above the wind as he said, "Stick close to me."
With her sneakers slipping on the damp floor, Ivy trailed behind him. Her mind was spinning with questions she couldn't even start to sort out, making every step feel like an effort. Why was this taking place? Who was it? Why did Adrian appear so composed in the face of peril?
A shadow shifted In the corner of her eye as they got closer to the detached garage. Ivy grabbed Adrian's arm as she froze.
"Have you noticed that?" she muttered.
Adrian remained silent. As his eyes searched the darkness, he raised the rifle and drew her behind him as his body tensed.
The storm was all that was seen for a while. Then a person with a hood covering their face came out of the darkness.
"Stop!" Adrian's voice broke through the commotion as he growled.
The figure did not follow the rules. Ivy's breath hitched when she saw something shining in their fingers as they took another step forward.
A weapon.
Adrian discharged a warning shot into the ground before she could respond. The figure froze, lifting their hands slightly in response to the loud roar.
"Who sent you?" Adrian's stance was tense, but his voice was firm as he commanded.
The person remained silent. Rather, they ran away, vanishing into the forest at a pace that left Ivy speechless.
Adrian let out a quick exhale and dropped the pistol. He took hold of her arm once again and murmured, "Let's go."
"But—"
"No time," he cut in. "Out here, we're vulnerable."
They reached the garage, where Adrian, with practiced precision, opened a sleek black SUV. Ivy struggled to fasten her seatbelt as she slid into the passenger seat, her hands shaking. Adrian turned on the engine, briefly blotting out the sound of the rain with its strong hum.
Ivy eventually found her voice as they raced down the twisting, narrow road that led away from the lake home. "What just took place? Who was that?
Adrian responded without hesitation, "Victor's people." "Desperation is setting in."
"Desperate enough to send someone to your house with a weapon?" Ivy insisted.
Adrian tightened his hold on the steering wheel. Victor has always been straightforward. He makes sure the target of his intimidation knows exactly who is controlling them.
"How about me?" Ivy's voice rose as she asked. "Am I only a byproduct of this whole situation? Because it feels like I'm being targeted right now.
Adrian's face softened a little as he looked at her. "Ivy, you are not collateral damage. Victor is taking advantage of you because he understands how important you are to me and to this plot.
His words made her breath catch, but she shook her head swiftly. Adrian, I didn't ask to be involved in any of this. I didn't sign up to have armed guys chase me into the woods.
"I understand," he muttered. "But I swear, I'll do everything in my power to protect you."
The earnestness in his words soothed her for a second. However, the quiet was short-lived.
Headlights emerged in the rearview mirror as they approached the main road, getting closer every second.
"Are they pursuing us?" With a hint of worry in her voice, Ivy inquired.
Adrian's face darkened as he looked in the mirror. "Yes."
Behind them, the automobile accelerated, its engine growling as it approached. Ivy saw the stress coming from Adrian as his fists clenched around the steering wheel.
"Hold on," he remarked in a somber tone.
The SUV roared forward as he stepped on the throttle. As the pursuit started, Ivy clutched the edge of her seat, her pulse thumping. The wet tarmac was slippery beneath the tires as the route wound and curved.
With its headlights blazing like twin beams of evil, the automobile behind them didn't slow down.
"Who are they?" With her voice almost heard above the roaring rain, Ivy inquired.
"Probably Victor's people," Adrian answered. It doesn't matter, though. We won't allow them to capture us.
Adrian made the turn with seasoned expertise as the road ahead twisted sharply. The automobile behind them, however, was unrelenting and rapidly narrowing the distance.
Adrian's mouth clenched. "Hold on," he said.
He abruptly swerved into a side road, causing the SUV to bounce as it struck the uneven surface. The trees threw spooky shadows in the low light as the woodland closed in around them.
"Are you certain that this is a smart idea?" Ivy's voice wavered as she asked.
"It is the sole concept," Adrian answered.
After a brief pause, the automobile behind them followed, its headlights cutting through the night. As they roared along the tiny lane, Adrian pushed the SUV harder, the engine roaring in protest.
At last, a clearing appeared on the route. The SUV skidded to a halt as Adrian applied the brakes hard.
"What's causing us to stop?" Ivy's voice rose in terror as she demanded.
"Believe me," Adrian stated in a firm voice.
A few yards distant, the second vehicle skidded to a stop as it raced into the clearing. Everything was silent for a while.
The driver's door then opened.
Tense, Adrian pulled for his revolver, bracing himself for whatever was ahead. Ivy's heart pounded as she clutched the side of her seat and stared at the person exiting the vehicle.
With thunder booming in the background, the rain fell all around them.
The figure then said something.
The deep, familiar voice cried out, "Adrian."
Adrian's hold on the rifle wavered as he froze.
"Victor," he murmured in a cold, angry voice.