The first strike

Liya’s scream echoed throughout the room as the window shattered, spraying shards of glass all over the study. Her body shifted backward impulsively, her heart beating noisily in her chest. She rushed for shelter, her hands trembling as she took cover behind the gigantic desk, the wood pressing into her back.

A figure showed up in the broken window, his face covered by a mask, then with sharp and precise movement, he dragged his body through the broken glass. His silhouette was frightful, shaped by the night outside and the shining weapon in his hand glaring at her. The air around him was filled with danger and her breathing came in pants.

“Miss Glensdale, move.” Melinda’s frantic voice cut through the havoc. She emerged in the doorway, a gleaming black firearm in her grip.

Liya didn't wait for her to repeat herself. She ran further into the study, hiding behind a heavy oak desk as the infiltrator advanced toward her. The intruder’s face was masked, his figure covered in black from head to toe, and he carried a lever that glimmered dangerously in the dull light.

An ear-splitting gunshot from Melinda burst through the confined space of the study. The figure dodged and rolled to escape the bullet before attacking Melinda. She dodged with real ease, giving a ruthless kick to his stomach.

Liya looked over the desk, her heart beating frantically with fear. The intruder was unstoppable, swinging the lever so wildly that Melinda barely managed to evade.

Where is Mr Marino?

Her thoughts were brought to a halt as Melinda screamed at her, “ Run! Get out of here immediately!”

Liya was reluctant, stuck between running away and staying back to help Melinda, but the sound of footsteps drawing closer made the choice for her. More intruders?

Before she could move, the door opened with a bang again and Aldo marched in, his face filled with extreme fury. He was quiet–he didn’t need to speak, his stance and appearance said it all. The atmosphere of the room seemed to change under the heaviness of his presence.

The intruder turned to Aldo, raising his weapon, but Aldo’s movement was faster. In a swift motion, he disarmed the masked man with a ruthless strike to his wrist and a punch to his face that sent the man dropping to the floor.

“ Don’t you dare move,” Aldo lashed out , his voice low and threatening.

The intruder groaned, gripping his broken hand but Aldo wasn’t done with him. Grabbing him by the collar, he lifted him off the ground effortlessly.

“ Who sent you? Who do you work for?” Aldo demanded, his voice so low and menacing that it made her very scared.

The intruder’s eyes squeezed in refusal, but it was obvious he getting weak and could not hold his own.

“Damian sends his greetings,” he said, his voice filled with hate.

Liya froze. Damian? That name sent shivers through her body. He was the reason she was in that mess…her brother too.

Aldo’s face became enraged, his jaw hardened as he fisted the masked man’s shirt pulling him closer. “ Don't make me repeat myself,” he said, his voice cutting like a sharp razor.

The intruder’s lips twisted in a sly grin before he quickly bit down on something he had in his mouth. Melinda let out a choked shout, but it was already too late. The intruder’s body became limp in Aldo’s hands, his eyes glossing over as the body fell over.

Melinda dashed toward the body but Aldo stepped back letting the body fall to the floor without so much as a second glance. His eyes focused on where the body had dropped down, the burden of what just transpired coming down on him like a heavy rock.

“Inspect the perimeter,” Aldo commanded, his voice sounding far off, as though he wasn't affected by the entire experience. “Ensure this was a solo infiltration.”

Melinda nodded firmly, her eyes shifting to Liya briefly before she turned and disappeared down the hallway.

Aldo stood in the middle of the study, his gaze indecipherable. The distant and dangerous aura that always accompanied him seemed to increase, shifting everything else out of its surroundings. Liya wanted to say something, but she couldn't find her voice, the entire thing left her shaken.

Her thoughts were in a marathon. What just happened? Damian…was he really behind this? The same Damian who had arranged this marriage? The same one who had bullied her and threatened her brother’s life?

Aldo turned to her, his eyes searching hers. It was penetrating, and for a split second, she believed he could read into her soul–into every unsaid act she had always kept to herself. His mouth moved and she held her breath, anticipating something cold, something mean, but the words that left his mouth stunned her.

“Are you harmed?” he asked, his voice more delicate than she had ever heard it. His eyes shifted to the shards of glass that surrounded her before settling back on her.

“No,” Liya said in a shaky and nervous voice, her hands still trembling by her sides. “I–I’m okay.”

Aldo seemed to debate on it for a second before nodding his head, his lips curling in a way to express his satisfaction with the answer. Then without any further signal, he turned his attention back to the fireplace, his back to her again.

“What just happened,” Liya asked, her voice sounding a little firmer now that the current threat seemed to be over.

Also didn't give her an immediate response, as if he was contemplating his next words. When he finally replied, his voice was curt and to the point. “Looks like Damian decided to send a message.”

“A message?” Liya voiced, her stomach churning.

“An attack,” Aldo explained. “The invasion was to remind me that he's far from done with me.”

Damian had masterminded her union with Aldo to wipe off her brother’s debt, but this felt like it was more than just her brother’s debt. What was going on? Her mind swirled with different thoughts.

“ But why would he do that now?” Liya asked, her voice rising with fear. “Why would he send someone after you? Why me?

Aldo’s eyes jerked back to her, his countenance hard to read. “That's because you are a party to this game now Liya,” he said plainly. “And Damian is aware of that.”

Liya frowned. “Part of the game? What are you talking about?”

Aldo’s gaze clouded as he advanced towards her leisurely, his steps steady. “You’re here for one reason and that's for my protection. To act as a shield that makes me look vulnerable…even mortal.” He stopped before he continued, his eyes fixed on hers. “You’re more than just collateral in this game plan. You are a weapon, just so you know.”

Her chest constricted as his words settled in. This wasn't just an arranged marriage, a marriage to pay off her brother’s debt. It was deeper than she thought. She was in the middle of a more risky scheme that she didn't understand.

Before she could open her mouth, Melinda reemerged in the room, her face taut. “The perimeter is secured, but we need to act fast,” she said to Aldo. “The others will be waiting for us.”

Also nodded, the muscles in his jaw tensing. Then he turned his attention back to Liya, his eyes narrowing. “I’m not letting you leave, not after what just happened, you are safer here.”

Liya’s pulse thrummed at the decisiveness in his voice. She didn't want to be anywhere close to the danger looming around and being with Aldo meant being in danger. She didn't want to be part of his world or any game with Damian. But Liam–her brother’s life was in danger. Damian’s threat still weighed heavily on her.

“I–I don't want to stay, I don't want to be a part of this.” She muttered more to her gearing than to his.

Aldo’s expression softened briefly. “You don't have other options.”

Liya’s stomach turned. Every fiber in her told her to run, to leave immediately while she could. But when she thought of her reckless brother, Liam, the choice was already made for her. She couldn’t go back on her deal with Damian.

“Please, tell me what’s really going on. Why did Damian do this?”

Aldo’s eyes darkened again. “You’ll understand it later. Right now, what you need to know is this is just the beginning of Damian, the tip of the iceberg.”

Liya stared at him, her mind spinning. She dove into this world with no ammo–just the desire to free her brother. But now it didn't seem as easy as she had imagined before.

Aldo looked at Melinda who gave him a faint nod. He turned back to Liya, his voice barely above a whisper, “I don't trust anyone, not even you. But right now, you have to trust me. Stay with me and I'll protect you. If you leave, then your life and that of your brother will barely see the crack of dawn.”

His tone made her wonder if his protection came with a price. “Trust you?” she repeated. What a hypocrite, she thought to herself.

Aldo nodded. “For now, yes, you have to.”

Liya felt the pressure of his words settling over her like a heavy cloak. She wasn't just caught in a dangerous game, she was at the center of it, and she didn't know how to escape.