Adrian Cross got out of the SUV with his rifle still firmly gripped in his palm as the rain continued to pour in sheets. The storm provided an appropriate setting for the intense encounter, and the atmosphere in the clearing was oppressive.
As Adrian faced the guy who had plagued his life for years, Ivy Harper sat still in the passenger seat, her pulse racing. Hale Victor. With its syllables tinged with power, treachery, and history, the name held weight. His dark trench coat was saturated, but his attitude was composed and almost pleased as he stood across the clearing.
Adrian murmured, "Victor," in a harsh, low voice. "I should have realized you wouldn't remain in the background for very long."
Unfazed by the weapon aimed at him, Victor stepped forward. His hands were buried in his coat pockets, and he had a laid-back stance, as though they were catching up with old friends. "Adrian," he answered in a silky voice. "The chance to meet you again was too good to pass up. You have been rather busy, have you not?
Adrian's mouth clenched. "What are you looking for?"
With thunder and rain in the background, Victor's laugh was eerie. As always, straight to the point. I've always admired that about you.
Adrian yelled, "Victor, stop wasting my time." Someone was dispatched to my residence by you. Ivy was threatened by you. Proceed if you are here to complete the task you began.
The mention of her name made Ivy wince. Although Adrian's tone of protection was obvious, it simply made her stomach sink even farther. Ignoring how the rain instantly saturated her clothes and hair, she unlocked the door and went outside.
"Wait," she yelled in a stern but tremulous voice. "I'd like to know what's happening. Why am I participating in this?
A sneaky smirk appeared on Victor's face as his gaze shifted to her. Yes, Ms. Harper. The tenacious reporter. You know, you've left quite an impact. Why Adrian has taken such a… personal interest in you makes sense to me.
Adrian tensed up next to Ivy, but she continued to concentrate on Victor. "Stop being so dramatic. What are you looking for from me?
Victor grinned more broadly. "My love, that's not what I want from you. I want Adrian to do that. Regretfully, you are just the leverage I need to obtain it.
Adrian moved ahead of Ivy, using his body to protect her. "You refuse to touch her."
Victor, obviously delighted by the show, raised an eyebrow. "Touch her? You don't understand me, Adrian. I don't intend to harm her—unless you force my hand, of course.
Ivy tightened her hands at her sides. What is leverage used for? What is worth all of everything that you could possibly desire from Adrian?
The lighthearted sparkle in Victor's eyes gave way to something far more sinister as his face grew serious. "Ms. Harper, power. Command. Adrian has something that is properly mine, something I need. And I will continue to exert pressure until he provides it to me.
Adrian stepped closer and gripped the rifle more tightly. You're referring to the technology you took from me. You want me to turn over the keys to all I've built, give you what's left of my business, and then quietly go. Is that it?
Victor grinned. You see? After all, you do understand me.
Adrian laughed icily and resentfully. Victor, you've always had hallucinations. You failed when you tried it years ago. You will fail once more.
Victor's voice became cold and his composed manner broke. Adrian, don't be so certain. I've already started the process. The media is circling like vultures, your board is collapsing, and your reputation is in shambles. Before you know it, you will lose everything.
The words caused Ivy's stomach to turn. She recalled the meticulously constructed story that portrayed Adrian as a villain in the materials Victor had given her. Was it the main purpose of this? Destruction from inside Adrian?
Adrian stated sternly, "You don't have to bring her into this." "We'll work this out between us if you don't involve her."
Victor gave the proposition some thought and cocked his head. "Tempting, but not." Ivy holds the secret to our little chess game, you see. She is intelligent, resourceful, and—above all—believed by others. Her voice is powerful. The rest will come together once she has written the tale of your demise.
Ivy stepped out from behind Adrian and declared, "That's not going to happen." Despite her trembling voice, her determination was evident. "I refuse to play your games as a pawn."
Victor smiled again, but it stopped short of his eyes. You already are, Ms. Harper. You simply aren't aware of it yet.
Adrian pulled up the revolver and pointed it directly at Victor. Then he hissed, "Get out of here." "Now."
Victor only gazed at him for a minute, his coat drenched with rain. He then gently lifted his hands in a gesture of simulated submission. "All right. For now, have your way. But Adrian, don't assume this is over. It's just getting started.
With a quick peek over his shoulder, he turned and headed back to his car. Adrian, look after her. She is a unique treasure.
Victor then got into the vehicle and drove away, his headlights fading into the darkness.
It was a quiet and stressful trip back to the city. Adrian's jaw was clinched, and his knuckles were white against the driving wheel. As she sat in the passenger seat, Ivy's thoughts were racing with worries, rage, and concerns.
The stillness was finally broken by her. "You ought to have informed me."
Adrian avoided eye contact with her. "Told you what?"
Concerning him. "About all of this," she added, pointing to the glass that was stained with rain. "I had no idea what I was getting into."
Adrian gave a quick breath. "I tried to keep you safe."
Ivy gave a headshake. "No. Like Victor, you were attempting to exert control over the situation. Adrian, you both believe that you can control who knows what, but people are not puppets.
He gave her a quick glance at that moment, remorse visible in his eyes. "You're correct. I did a bad job of handling this. However, you can't reason with Victor. He doesn't act fairly.
"And you don't either," Ivy said.
Adrian's response was sufficient.
Ivy rested her head against the glass as the city lights appeared, fatigue pressing down on her. She was unsure of what to believe and no longer knew whom to trust. She just knew that she was in a deeper place than she had ever been and that there was no way out.