Serena felt the weight of Adrian's words settle over her like a shroud.
"Someone who just made their first mistake."
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she took a step closer to his desk, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "Then tell me who it was, Adrian. Tell me why they think I need to be careful."
Adrian took a slow sip of his whiskey, his gaze locked onto hers, unwavering, unreadable. "Because they want to scare you."
Serena narrowed her eyes. "And it's working."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but there was no amusement in it. "Good."
She blinked. "Good?"
Adrian leaned forward, setting his glass down with a quiet clink. "Fear keeps you alert. It stops you from making reckless decisions." His voice lowered, dangerously smooth. "And in my world, reckless decisions get you killed."
A shiver ran down her spine, but she refused to let him see her falter. "So you do know who it was."
His fingers drummed against the desk. "I have an idea."
Serena's breath hitched. "And?"
His smirk deepened. "And they'll regret it soon enough."
The way he said it, so casual, so certain, sent another wave of unease through her.
Serena had always known Adrian Blackwood was a powerful man. But standing here, in the dimly lit glow of his office, she realized something else.
He was dangerous.
And whoever had made the mistake of threatening her?
They weren't just dealing with a businessman.
They were dealing with a predator.
—
A Test of Loyalty
The next evening, Adrian had an event to attend—an exclusive auction at a private club.
Serena insisted on accompanying him.
"If I'm going to be in your world, I need to understand it," she told him.
Adrian studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Fine. But remember what I said—stay close."
She met his gaze. "I can handle myself."
His smirk was slow, dangerous. "I never doubted that."
—
The Auction
The club was unlike anything Serena had ever seen. Gilded walls, crimson velvet drapes, chandeliers that cast a golden glow over a crowd of the elite and the powerful.
Adrian's hand was firm at her waist as they entered, his presence commanding instant attention. Eyes turned to them, whispers trailing in their wake.
Serena lifted her chin. If she was going to stand beside Adrian Blackwood, she wouldn't do it meekly.
A man approached them, his silver hair neatly styled, his smile sharp as a knife.
"Nikolai Petrov," Adrian murmured to her, his lips barely moving. "Russian investor. Not to be trusted."
Serena gave the man a polite smile as he extended a hand.
"Blackwood," Petrov greeted, his accent thick. His gaze slid to Serena. "And this must be the beautiful wife I've heard so much about."
Adrian's fingers tightened slightly on her waist.
Serena met Petrov's gaze evenly. "You hear a lot, Mr. Petrov."
The Russian chuckled. "It's my job to."
Adrian cut in smoothly. "Then you should know that what's mine isn't up for discussion."
The warning was subtle, but it was there.
Petrov smirked. "Of course." He lifted his glass in a mock toast. "Enjoy the evening, Mrs. Blackwood."
As he walked away, Serena exhaled. "Charming," she murmured.
Adrian's lips brushed her ear. "Don't let his smile fool you. He's the type who would slit a man's throat while complimenting his suit."
A chill ran through her. "Why do business with someone like that?"
Adrian's smirk was cold. "Because in my world, keeping enemies close isn't a saying. It's survival."
—
A High-Stakes Bid
As the auction began, Serena watched Adrian closely.
The way he sat, relaxed yet entirely in control. The way he surveyed the room, every glance calculated.
When a rare Blackwood diamond was brought onto the stage—a twin to the one Serena had received in the mysterious package—she felt Adrian's body stiffen beside her.
His expression remained unreadable, but his fingers tapped once against the table. A silent message.
Serena swallowed. This isn't just an auction. This is a message.
Bidding began.
Adrian raised his paddle.
A man across the room did the same.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Of course," he murmured.
Serena followed his gaze to a figure shrouded in shadow.
"Who is that?" she whispered.
Adrian's eyes darkened. "Someone I need to put in their place."
The bidding war escalated.
Fifty thousand.
One hundred.
Two hundred.
Serena's pulse raced.
Then, as the bid reached half a million, Adrian leaned back. Smirked. And let it go.
The man across the room inclined his head in acknowledgment.
Serena turned to Adrian. "Why did you let him win?"
Adrian's smirk was cold. "Because now he thinks he has the upper hand." He lifted his glass, eyes glinting with something dangerous. "And there's nothing more fun than letting a man believe he's won before you destroy him."
A shiver ran through Serena.
This wasn't just a game to Adrian.
This was war.
And he never lost.
—
A Dangerous Dance
Later that night, as Serena changed out of her gown, she caught her reflection in the mirror.
She barely recognized herself.
Gone was the woman who had once lived in the shadows of betrayal and fear.
In her place was someone different. Someone sharper.
Someone who no longer feared playing the game.
A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
She turned to find Adrian leaning against the frame, watching her with that unreadable expression.
"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" he asked, voice smooth.
Serena met his gaze. "I learned something."
His brow arched. "Oh?"
She stepped closer. "That power isn't just about winning."
His smirk deepened. "No. It's about knowing when to let someone think they've won."
Their gazes locked. The air thickened.
Adrian reached out, fingers grazing her collarbone. "And what else did you learn?"
Serena's pulse thrummed. "That you don't just play the game, Adrian."
She pressed a palm to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingertips.
"You are the game."
A dark fire ignited in his eyes. "And you," he murmured, tilting her chin up, "are becoming my favorite player."
Then his lips crashed against hers.
Possessive. Consuming.
Serena melted into him, heat surging through her veins.
She might not have known all the rules yet.
But one thing was certain.
In Adrian Blackwood's world, there were only two options.
Win.
Or be destroyed.
And Serena Vale?
She never planned on losing.
—