It felt like everything had come to a standstill. The calm before the storm. Raiden's absence loomed over me like a dark cloud. He had gone into hiding to strategize with his men, leaving me behind with the haunting fear of what would happen next.
But even in his absence, I couldn't shake the feeling that the world around me was slowly shifting.
---
Raiden's Absence – A Long, Lonely Night
I sat in the drawing-room of Wolfe Manor, staring at the cold fireplace. The warmth of the fire had faded, and so had my sense of security. Raiden's presence had always been the only thing that grounded me in this chaotic world. But now, with him gone, the walls felt closer than ever.
The silence stretched on, and I could feel the weight of every unspoken word. Every unanswered question that gnawed at the back of my mind.
I reached for my phone, but there was no new message. He hadn't reached out since he left, and a small part of me began to doubt if he was truly coming back.
---
A Call from the Past – A Dangerous Game
Just as I was about to lose myself in my thoughts, my phone buzzed. A message. Not from Raiden.
I unlocked my phone and read the message.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Aria. You should stop before you get hurt."
The text was from Luca.
A chill ran through me. What did he mean by that? I knew Luca well enough by now to understand that he didn't warn people for no reason. But why now?
I couldn't help but feel a surge of dread. This wasn't just a warning; this was a sign that something bigger was happening.
I immediately typed out a reply, my fingers trembling.
"What do you know, Luca? Tell me."
Seconds passed before the reply came.
"You're not ready for the truth, Aria. But you will be soon. Watch your back."
And just like that, the conversation ended.
---
Wolfe Manor – Something Stirring
The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror, my hands nervously gripping the edge of the vanity. I couldn't shake the unease that settled in my stomach. There was something happening, something beyond Raiden's world of power and bloodshed.
I needed answers.
---
Raiden's Return – Unspoken Words
Hours passed before Raiden finally returned. His dark eyes immediately sought mine as he entered the room.
"You're here," I said, relief flooding my chest. But it didn't last long. The tension between us hadn't disappeared. In fact, it had grown stronger.
Raiden moved toward me, his steps heavy, as though he was carrying the weight of a thousand secrets.
"You need to leave, Aria." His voice was rough, more commanding than it had ever been.
I flinched at the harshness in his tone. "I'm not going anywhere. Not without you."
His gaze softened for a brief moment, but it quickly turned cold again. "You don't understand. The danger to you is real. If you stay, you'll be in more danger than you can imagine."
But the more he spoke, the less I understood. Why was he pushing me away? Was it for my safety—or his own?
---
A Sudden Twist – The Russian Threat Intensifies
Before I could respond, the door to the study opened, and in walked one of Raiden's men, looking frantic.
"Raiden," he said, his voice shaky. "It's happening. The Russians are moving in. They've made their first move."
Raiden's face went pale, and for a split second, I saw something in him I'd never seen before—fear.
---
The Attack – A Desperate Escape
The storm had arrived.
Raiden grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the door. "We don't have time to waste. Come on."
I followed him, my heart pounding. I had seen Raiden face danger countless times, but this was different. This time, we weren't just fighting for power. We were fighting for our lives.
The house felt like it was crumbling around us. There were shouts and gunshots in the distance. I could hear the chaos unfolding outside.
Raiden led me through the hallways, his hand firm on my back, guiding me. But the more we moved, the more it seemed like we were being herded into a trap.
"Raiden, what's happening?!" I cried out, but he didn't answer.
He couldn't.
---
Wolfe Manor – The Storm Unleashed
We finally reached the underground safe house. The door slammed behind us, and I could hear the heavy thud of Raiden's breath as he tried to regain his composure.
But I couldn't remain calm. I couldn't stop shaking. The adrenaline was coursing through my veins, making everything feel like it was happening too fast. Too soon.
"Raiden…" I whispered, but he shook his head, silencing me with a look.
---
The Truth Unfolds
"You want the truth, Aria?" he finally asked, his voice low and strained. "This was always going to happen. I knew this was coming. The Russians aren't just after me—they're after you."
My heart dropped. "What do you mean?"
Raiden turned to face me, his eyes filled with a dark intensity. "The moment you stepped into my world, you became a target. And now they're not going to stop until they have you. And they will use everything they can to get to me."
---
End of Chapter 26