Obey Me In Darkness

Marina's POVOnce we were inside, I finally got a good look at him. He was tall, lean, with dark hair that fell just enough to brush his intense eyes. High cheekbones, a sharp jaw, and a presence that radiated both danger and control.“Lucian’s rescue service is ready and waiting,” he said.“Catalina,” I whispered, my heart still racing. “My name is… Catalina? Who are you with?”“Just a bartender,” he said, calm, almost casual. “Adrian told me to wait here and help get a girl out.”If Adrian set this up, Lucian was part of the plan. I thought it through quickly. “Then let’s not stand here chit-chatting. Let’s move.”We charged into the waiting elevator.“Yes, ma’am. I like a woman who takes charge,” he said, a faint grin in his voice.“Where are you taking me?”“I’m not sure if I’m allowed to tell you,” he said, pressing the button. The elevator shuddered, lights flickering as it began moving down.“The elevator’s on emergency power,” he explained. “Someone cut the main lines.”“Who a

Marina’s POVThe cool night air hit my skin as we stepped outside. The waiting limo gleamed in the shadows, its black paint catching the streetlights. Adrian opened the door and guided me in, his movements as precise as always.The leather seats swallowed me whole as I sank into them, the silence pressing close around me.Adrian closed the door behind me, then circled to the front. He slid in beside the driver without another word, his profile unreadable.The leather interior of the limo wrapped around me like a cocoon, though it did nothing to quiet the storm inside my chest. Before I could gather myself, Vale reached for me, cupping my face in his gloved hands. The soft black leather pressed against my skin, a familiar comfort and a wall he always placed between us.“I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice low, almost tender. “For a moment, I thought I would never see you again. After all the work you put into my birthday, it’s a shame it had to be ruined by Victor’s petty r

Marina’s POVVale’s mouth curved slightly, but his eyes were cool. “Interesting. But I don’t see it.”Adrian leaned against the desk with a faint smirk. “No one here likes her. A spy usually does better when they’re liked but stay invisible.”“Not to mention,” Vale added, “Yasmin is the type to start drama, not watch from the sidelines.”My fingers tightened on my pen until my knuckles went white. “So someone like Adrian then. Everyone likes him. Yet he just watches from the sidelines.”Adrian’s head snapped toward me. His expression flickered between shock and anger. “Have you forgotten that I saved your life yesterday?” he said quietly. “And Vale’s?”“Maybe the whole thing was a setup to cement your loyalty to us,” I said, my voice low.He was standing over me in a flash, his frame blocking out the light. The heat of his body reached me before his voice did.“You’re not so easy to intimidate,” he murmured, his lips close to mine.I met his eyes and forced myself to hold steady even

Marina’s POVI rushed across the room and grabbed Adrian's arm just before he could open the door. My heart raced with worry for Lucian, who stood there looking so vulnerable. 'Wait,' I said, my voice firm but pleading. 'Let me take him.'Adrian turned to me, his broad shoulders tense under his suit jacket. The club's dim lights cast shadows on his stern face. 'As your bodyguard, I don't like you being alone with him,' he replied, his tone protective and unyielding.I nodded quickly, not wanting to argue. 'Fine, you can come with us then.'From the corner, Vale's voice cut in, sharp and commanding. 'No, Marina. You stay.'I ignored him for a moment and pulled Adrian aside, leaving Lucian standing alone by the door. He looked like a lost puppy, his eyes wide with fear, hands fidgeting at his sides. The room felt smaller, the air thick with tension from the music thumping outside.'He's obviously scared,' I whispered to Adrian, glancing back at Lucian.Adrian crossed his arms, his jaw s

Marina’s POVLucian sat on the edge of the bed, shoulders slumped, staring at the floor like it might open up and swallow him. The music from earlier was gone. The room was quiet now, too quiet after the chaos. I moved closer and guided him down gently, resting his head in my lap. He hesitated, then gave in, like his body had been waiting for permission to stop holding itself together.I ran my fingers through his hair, slow and steady.“It’s okay,” I said. “You’re safe right now.”His breathing evened out. After a while, he lifted his head and looked up at me. His expression shifted, confusion bleeding into something heavier.“Why did you come here?” he asked.I took a breath before answering.“I thought I was in love with a man named Corbyn,” I said. “But he didn’t love me. He wanted to own me. Vale gave me a way out. He gave me a place where I could exist without fear.”Lucian studied my face.“Are you happy?”The question lingered. Vale’s distance flashed through my mind. The secr