Chapter 17: “Bait”

Adrian’s POV

I watched the footage again and it was clearly Amber’s room. The camera angle was precise and it looked like it was planted more like a device.

It didn’t look like it was taken by chance or from outside, it looked like an inside job. Who would come to my house to plant a device or did my workers betray me?

My jaw tightened.

“Run it back,” I said.

The screen flickered as the video replayed. The angle didn’t move, it was a fixed position and it was hidden well.

This wasn’t Aaron. This was way too professional and well thought out to be Aaron. Aaron was clumsy, he didn’t even have the resources to be able to get this close to my house. This wasn’t some desperate ex trying to make money, this was calculated.

My phone buzzed.

“Sir, we’ve got movement again.”

“Location?”

“It’s inconsistent. He’s switching fast. Burner devices.”

I exhaled slowly, forcing my thoughts into order. Burner devices? Now it’s clear, I have ruled out Aaron certainly. He’s not capable enough to use burner devices.

“Then we stop reacting,” I said. “We make him come to us.”

“Sir, what do you mean?”

I looked at the paused frame of Amber’s room again and I made the decision.

“We set a trap and she mustn’t know,” I added.

“Understood.”

I’m definitely sure if she knew, she wouldn’t agree. And I wasn’t asking, there was no time to waste.

Amber’s POV

After the eventful day, Adrian has been acting differently and I could tell something wasn’t right.

He either feigned to be too busy and focused to avoid speaking to me. I know he’s trying to look for a solution but I would rather be by his side and look for it together. He shouldn’t shut me out and make me feel useless.

His calls were shorter and discreet, his tone sharper and commanding.

And me? I wasn’t allowed anywhere alone anymore, there were tons of security everywhere and the only place I have my solitude is the rest room. It felt like I was being monitored instead of being protected, and it bothered me

“Adrian,” I called one evening as he walked past me.

He stopped but didn’t turn.

“We need to talk.”

“That’s all we’ve been doing lately,” he said.

“That’s the problem,” I replied. That made him look at me. “What aren’t you telling me?” I asked.

His expression didn’t change. “Nothing.”

I let out a small, humorless laugh. “You’re a terrible liar.

“I said it’s handled.”

“That’s not what I asked,” I stepped closer. “You’re shutting me out again.”

“I’m protecting you.”

“By being silent and not letting me in on anything? If this is your way of protecting then I would rather decline”

“Do you trust me?” he asked suddenly.

The question caught me off guard.

“What?”

“Do you trust me, Amber?”

I hesitated.

“That’s what I thought.” With that, he turned and

walked away.

Adrian’s POV

Everything was in place. The location, timing and movement, the leak would happen tonight.

Amber’s schedule had been adjusted. Not the usual schedule they are used to. It would make them disorderly and unknowingly come out of their hiding.

I stood in the control room, watching the live feeds.

“There,” one of my men said.

A figure, wearing a black cape and he was careful not to make a sound. From the camera you can notice that he was skilled in this area and I must applaud whosoever is involved in this.

“Take him,” I ordered.

It happened fast. My men overpowering him and him being thrown to the ground and the gun shot

“Sir!”

“I saw it.”

“Secure the area.”

By the time I got there, he was on the ground, barely alive. I crouched in front of him.

“Who sent you?” I asked.

He smiled and then he bit down on his tongue, blood filled his mouth instantly.

“Stop him.”

But it was too late. He deliberately bit his tongue to avoid spilling, he must be really trained to be able to do that.

I stood over his body, staring at it and still wondering how I got into this chaos then I heard a voice behind me.

“Adrian?”

I froze.She wasn’t supposed to be here, where the hell were my men?

Amber’s POV

I wasn’t supposed to be there, that's what they told me but how can I stay inside despite the gunshot I heard and Adrian is nowhere to be found.

“Stay inside, ma’am.”

Ignoring them, I pushed my way forward and by the time I got there Adrian was standing in a pool of blood like it was normal to him.

“Adrian, what is this?” I uttered in disbelief.

No one answered.

My eyes dropped to the man on the floor.

Then back to Adrian.

“ What happened ?”

To think I had just passed from this place some minutes ago, who would have thought? What if I was the one meant to be shot or worse?

Wait, hold on. I wasn’t even supposed to be out here but Adrian asked me to get a file from the car for him then it clicked. The restrictions, the security, the do’s and don'ts, it’s all made sense now.

“I was bait.” I said in realization

I looked at him expecting an answer but his silence confirmed it.

“Tell me I’m wrong, tell me this wasn’t planned!”

“Amber.”

“No,” my voice shook now. “Don’t say my name like that.”

“You used me.”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“Then what was it?” I snapped. “Because from where I’m standing, you put me in danger and didn’t even think I deserved to know!”

“I handled it.”

“You don’t get to decide that alone! It’s my life we are talking about here and something could have gone wrong. I begged you to let me in but what did you do, keep me in the dark. I guess I would always be that opportunist to you and someone who would do anything for money.”

For the first time, he looked conflicted.

“You said you were protecting me,” I continued, my voice breaking now.

“I was.”

“No,” I shook my head. “You were controlling the situation. There’s a difference.”

“It’s pointless, talking to you. I guess I was building castles in the air when I thought you had changed.” I said quietly.

With that, I walked away.

Adrian’s POV

She looked at me like I was a stranger and someone she regrets meeting. And for the first time, I didn’t have a response.

I didn’t regret doing it, it was the only way to bring the criminal out and I would do it again if I had to.

My gaze shifted briefly to the body being taken away then back to her. I know I had called an opportunist in the past but it’s not related to this, why’s she bringing it up?

I ran my hand through my disheveled hair in a frustrated manner, just when I think I’m one step forward with her, I just go ten steps backward and it’s driving me nuts.

My phone buzzed in my hand, I glanced at the screen unknown number again, I picked up almost immediately

“Talk.”

A distorted voice came through.

“You’re efficient,” the voice said.

I went still.

“You sent him,” I said.

A soft chuckle.

“Sent" is a strong word. Let’s just say, he was curious.”

My grip tightened around the phone.

“Who are you?”

“You really thought it would be that easy? That was just a test.”

“To see how far you’re willing to go for her.” The voice continued.

“Now I know.” Then the line went dead.

I stood there, staring at the phone, every instinct in me sharpened at once.

This wasn’t about money, this was personal vendetta

****

And somewhere, behind a screen, a pair of eyes lingered on a paused image of Amber standing beside Adrian.

“Let’s see how long you can protect her.”