Chapter 4

“Run.”

The word tears through my mind as I shove past a group of laughing guests, nearly knocking over a tray of drinks.

I can’t stop to apologize.

I don’t look back.

I just ran.

My heart is pounding so hard it hurts, each beat louder than the music chasing me out of that suffocating ballroom. Voices blur together behind me—confused, curious—but none of it matters.

Only one thing does.

Get out.

Now.

I burst through the doors, the cold night air hitting me like a slap. For a second, I stumble forward, gasping, my lungs dragging in air like I’ve been drowning.

But the relief doesn’t come.

It never does.

My chest is still tight. My hands are still shaking.

He’s still in my head.

“With me.”

“No.” I shake my head quickly, wrapping my arms around myself. “No, no, no…”

I can’t think about that.

I won’t.

Men like him don’t exist in my world.

And even if they did—

They wouldn’t stay.

I take a step away from the building.

Then another.

Faster.

I need distance.

I need space.

I need—

“Running again?”

My body locks instantly.

No.

Slowly… I turn.

And there he is.

Leaning against a black car like he owns the night itself, watching me like he knew exactly where I’d go.

Of course he did.

My heart starts racing all over again—worse this time.

“You…” My voice comes out unsteady. “Why are you here?”

He pushes off the car, straightening slowly. “I don’t like unfinished business.”

“That wasn’t business,” I say quickly. “That was nothing.”

A lie.

A terrible one.

His eyes narrow slightly.

“Doesn’t feel like nothing.”

I take a step back.

He notices.

Of course he notices.

“Stop doing that,” he says.

“Doing what?”

“Acting like I’m the one you should be afraid of.”

My breath catches.

Because that’s the problem.

I’m not.

And that terrifies me more.

“I don’t even know you,” I whisper.

“And yet you reacted to me like you do.”

I look away.

Because he’s right.

Again.

“Why do you care?” I ask suddenly, the question slips out before I can stop it. “Why me?”

A pause.

Brief.

But real.

Then—

“Because I want to.”

My stomach twists.

That answer isn’t normal.

It’s not logical.

It’s… dangerous.

“You shouldn’t,” I whisper.

“Too late.”

The words land hard.

Final.

For a moment, neither of us moves.

The air between us feels charged, heavy with everything we’re not saying.

“Go back inside,” I say, forcing my voice steady. “Forget this. Forget me.”

A quiet breath leaves him.

Almost a laugh.

But not quite.

“You really think that’s possible?”

“You should try.”

“I won’t.”

Of course he won’t.

Something about him makes that very clear.

“I’m not someone you want to get involved with,” I say, my voice tightening despite myself.

“And you’re not someone I’m walking away from.”

My heart stumbles.

Why?

Why is he doing this?

“You don’t understand,” I push, shaking my head. “My life isn’t… safe.”

Something shifts in his expression.

Subtle.

But there.

“Then let me change that.”

The offer hits me like a shock.

Too fast.

Too much.

“You can’t,” I say immediately.

“Try me.”

I step back again, panic rising. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

“Then tell me.”

“I can’t!”

My voice breaks, louder than I intended.

Fear floods my chest.

If I say too much—

If I let him get too close—

Everything will fall apart.

“You need to stop,” I whisper. “Please… just stop.”

He doesn’t move.

Don’t speak.

Just watch me.

Waiting.

Like he has all the time in the world.

And that’s what cracks something inside me.

Because a part of me—

A weak, desperate part—

I want to tell him everything.

I want to believe him.

I wants to feel safe again.

“I’m not worth this,” I whisper.

His eyes sharpen. “Don’t make that decision for me.”

“I already have.”

I turn quickly, trying to end this before I lose control.

Before I do something stupid—

Before I stay.

But I barely make two steps.

His hand closes around my wrist.

Not rough.

But firm.

Enough to stop me completely.

My body goes still.

“Let's go,” I say quietly.

“Not yet.”

My breath shakes. “I don’t need it—”

“Yes, you do.”

I turn back sharply, frustration finally spilling over.

“You don’t know anything about me!” I snap. “You don’t know what I’ve been through, what I’m dealing with—”

“Then tell me.”

“I can’t!”

“Why?”

The word hits harder than it should.

Because I have an answer.

And it terrifies me.

“Because if I do…” My voice cracks, tears blurring my vision. “You won’t look at me the same way again.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Then—

“Try me.”

Quiet.

Steady.

Unshaken.

For a second…

I almost do it.

Almost break.

Almost tell him everything.

But then—

Headlights flash at the end of the street.

A car.

Familiar.

Too familiar.

My blood runs cold.

“No…” I breathe.

He notices instantly. “What is it?”

I shake my head, panic rising fast. “You need to go.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You don’t understand—”

The car speeds closer.

Too fast.

Too direct.

Coming for me.

“Maria,” he says, stepping closer.

“No!” I pull my wrist free suddenly. “You have to leave!”

The car screeches to a stop just a few meters away.

Doors fly open.

My heart drops.

“They found me…” I Whisper.

Footsteps.

Heavy.

Closing in.

I take a step back, fear swallowing me whole.

And for the first time—

I don’t know who I’m more afraid of.

Them—

Or the fact that he’s still standing here.

Refusing to walk away.