Chapter 5: Mine to Protect

The room felt suffocating.

Six pairs of eyes… and one gaze that wouldn’t leave me.

That man.

The one with the smirk.

He leaned back casually, studying me like I was something interesting… something he could play with.

I shifted slightly, uncomfortable.

I didn’t belong here.

I shouldn’t be here.

“Relax,” he said lazily, his voice smooth but unsettling. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

A few men chuckled softly.

My fingers curled into fists.

Before I could respond—

A sharp sound cut through the room.

Thud.

Adrian’s hand hit the table.

Not hard.

But enough.

The room went silent instantly.

His eyes were on that man now.

Cold.

Warning.

“Careful,” Adrian said quietly.

The same word again.

But this time—

It wasn’t for me.

The smirk faded slightly from the man’s face.

“Just talking, boss,” he shrugged.

Adrian didn’t reply.

He didn’t need to.

The message was clear.

Back off.

My heartbeat slowed a little.

But only a little.

“Take her upstairs.”

Adrian’s voice was calm again.

Like nothing had happened.

Two guards stepped forward.

I hesitated.

I didn’t want to stay here…

But I didn’t want to go back either.

Not alone.

Not thinking.

Not trapped in silence again.

“Wait,” I said before I could stop myself.

All eyes turned to me again.

My throat went dry.

But I forced the words out.

“I… I don’t want to go back to that room.”

Silence.

What was I even saying?

Where else would I go?

Adrian looked at me.

Really looked.

As if trying to understand something.

Then—

“Stay.”

The guards stopped.

Confused.

So was I.

“You can sit,” he added, gesturing to a chair at the far end.

I blinked.

That… wasn’t what I expected.

Slowly, carefully, I walked to the chair and sat down.

Trying to ignore the stares.

Trying to ignore him.

The meeting continued.

Words I didn’t fully understand.

Deals. Names. Places.

Danger.

Everything about this world was dangerous.

And yet…

My eyes kept drifting back to him.

Adrian.

The way he spoke.

The way everyone listened.

The way no one dared to interrupt him.

Power.

Real power.

And somehow—

It didn’t look like it controlled him.

It obeyed him.

After what felt like forever, the meeting finally ended.

One by one, the men started leaving.

Except—

Him.

The smirking one.

He stood up slowly, walking toward me.

My body tensed immediately.

“Interesting choice,” he said, stopping a little too close.

I didn’t respond.

Didn’t even look at him.

“Boss never brings anyone here,” he continued, his voice dropping slightly. “You must be… special.”

I stood up quickly, putting distance between us.

“I’m not,” I said firmly.

He smiled.

Like he didn’t believe a word.

His hand lifted slightly—

As if he was about to touch my face.

Before he could—

A strong grip caught his wrist mid-air.

My breath stopped.

Adrian.

His expression was calm.

Too calm.

But his grip—

Tight.

Warning.

“Don’t,” he said.

Just one word.

But it carried weight.

Danger.

The man’s smile faded completely now.

“Relax,” he said, pulling his hand back. “I was just curious.”

Adrian didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

“Curiosity gets people killed.”

The room went still.

For a second, I thought something bad was about to happen.

Really bad.

But then—

The man chuckled lightly, raising his hands in mock surrender.

“Alright, boss. She’s all yours.”

And with that—

He left.

The door closed.

Silence again.

But this time—

It felt different.

He was standing close.

Too close.

I could feel his presence behind me.

Strong.

Unavoidable.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I froze.

That question—

Didn’t fit him.

At all.

I turned slowly, meeting his eyes.

“Yes,” I said softly.

A lie.

He studied my face for a moment.

Then his gaze dropped slightly—

To my hands.

Still trembling.

“Liar.”

My breath caught.

Before I could react, he stepped closer.

My back hit the table this time.

No escape.

His hand reached out again.

I stiffened—

But this time…

He didn’t grab me.

Didn’t force anything.

His fingers brushed lightly against my wrist.

Gentle.

Checking.

As if making sure I was actually okay.

That soft touch—

It confused me.

More than his threats ever did.

“You shouldn’t stay around them,” he said quietly.

I frowned slightly.

“But you’re one of them.”

For a moment—

Something changed in his eyes.

Darkened.

Deepened.

“Yes,” he said.

“And that’s exactly why you should listen to me.”

I didn’t reply.

Because I didn’t know what to say.

Because for the first time—

I wasn’t just scared of him.

I was… unsure.

Confused.

Pulled in a direction I didn’t understand.

He stepped back finally.

Creating distance again.

“You’ll stay in your room unless I say otherwise,” he added.

“Why?” I asked softly.

This time—

His answer came instantly.

“Because I don’t want problems.”

My chest tightened.

“Or…” he paused slightly, his gaze locking onto mine again…

“I don’t want anyone touching what’s mine.”

My heart skipped.

What’s mine.

Those words echoed in my head…

And for the first time—

I didn’t know if I should be scared…

or something else entirely. 😳🔥

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