How far would he go to protect me?

Chapter 7

Elena’s POV

I couldn't sleep, my hands shook as I held the note again, stay away from Lucien Stone… or the boy dies.

I knew I could no longer wait. I needed answers, so I grabbed my coat and slipped out of the penthouse.

 The streets were dark, it was wet from the rain and my phone buzzed in my pocket. The contact said to meet at the old alley near the docks and he promised information about Jace’s kidnappers.

Every step felt heavy and my heart rang so loud I was sure someone could hear it. I glanced around, but everywhere was quiete.

When I got to the alley, I saw a shadow and my breathe caught.

“Hello?” I whispered, but no answer, I only heard the echo of my own voice.

Then I felt some movement behind me. Three men stepped out from the shadow and their faces were hidden and I froze.

“You shouldn’t be here,” one said. His voice was low and rough.

I swallowed hard. “Who… who are you?”

The man laughed. “You already know. You just keep lying.”

My stomach dropped, this was a trap and I knew it. I took a step back, but the wall pressed against my back and there was nowhere to run.

“Please,” I whispered. “I don’t know anything. I’m not lying.”

The tallest one stepped closer, and raised a hand and then my pulse screamed. This is it. This is how it ends.

Suddenly, a voice shouted. “Elena!”

Before I could turn, a shadow hit the first man, and knocked him to the ground. I blinked and I saw Lucien standing there, drenched, and his eyes burned with anger.

“You shouldn’t have touched her,” he growled.

He moved fast, too fast, and in seconds the three men were on the ground. Lucien’s hands were like iron and he did not even breathe heavily. He just looked at me, his eyes were sharp, and they cut through my chest 

“Lucien…” I whispered, my voice barely there.

“Why are you here?” he demanded, he was cold and dangerous.

I stared at him, how far would he go to protect me? My chest tightened and my mind flashed to Jace, he couldn’t know, not yet.

Lucien stepped closer and I backed up without thinking, and bumped against the brick wall. “I… I was looking for information…”

“You are reckless,” he interrupted, and his eyes never left mine. “Do you understand how dangerous this is?”

I nodded, but I couldn't speak, my hands shook and I felt small, weak, but alive because he was here.

The rain dripped down our faces, and was mixed with the city shadows and I glanced at the defeated men on the ground and my stomach turned.

Lucien turned back to them, checking they are not moving and then he looked at me again.

 The anger in his eyes was sharp, but there was something else…something soft, buried beneath the storm.

Lucien’s coat was soaked and his eyes were sharp, and burning. I followed him silently as he led me out of the alley. My legs felt weak and my hands still shook.

“You could have been killed,” he snapped, his voice was low but cutting. “Do you even understand that?”

“I…I thought I could handle it,” I whispered. My voice sounded small, almost nothing in the rain.

“Handle it?” His dark eyes narrow. “Elena, you lied to me. You hide things. You put yourself in danger…and others too.”

I bite my lip and I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted to say, It’s Jace. It’s my son. Please help me. But the words stuck and I couldn’t. 

“I…” I started, my throat tight. “I didn’t….”

“Stop,” he cut me off, stopping in the middle of the street. The rain dripped from his hair. “No more excuses. I need the truth. Now.”

I looked down at my soaked shoes and my heart rang so loud I was sure he could hear it. “I can’t,” I whispered. “Some things… I can’t tell you.”

Lucien’s jaw tightened and he took a step closer, and I felt the heat of his anger. “You are reckless. You think I won’t find out? I always find out.”

I flinched and his words hit like knives. I could feel the storm inside him. I wanted to run, but I couldn't leave, not while he was so close.

We reached the penthouse and the elevator was silent. I stood beside him, frozen. He did not speak and he did not blink, he just watched me.

“Go inside,” he finally said. His voice was still sharp. “And stay there. Do not leave.”

I noded and my hands were shaking. My chest felt tight and I slipped inside the apartment quietly and the door closed behind me.

I dropped onto the couch, my head in my hands and I replayed the alley in my mind. Lucien’s hands, his face, the way he fought them off…

How far would he go to protect me?

I did not know, and that thought terrified me.

That night, I sat by the window, and stared into the city lights. My phone buzzed again, it was an unknown number. I ignored it, but my chest tightened and the kidnappers were still out there and watching and waiting.

I did not notice Lucien’s shadow outside my door, not at first.

“Do you think you can keep secrets from me forever?” His voice was low, and quiet quiet, but it pierced through my chest.

I froze and I wanted to lie, but the truth pressed against my lips and I almost told him.

“I….I just… I don’t want anyone else hurt,” I whispered, and my voice was trembling.

Lucien stepped back, he did not move. “Protecting someone,” he muttered. “You always protect someone. Who is it?”

I cannot answer. Not yet. My heart pounds. I feel the weight of the secret pressing down on me, heavier than the rain outside.

Later, I heard voices, it was low, serious. Men talking in the hallway, Lucien’s men.

I heard him giving orders. “Check everything. Find out what she is hiding. Every call, every movement. I want to know the truth.”

My stomach dropped, he was digging into my life without me knowing.

I pressed my back to the wall, and I

felt small. The secret was still safe…for now. But for how long?

And I know… soon, he would find out.