The Edge Of Trust

Julian’s POV

The air in the safehouse is thick with tension, Asher’s words still ringing in my ears: “They’re working together. And they know about Sophia’s pregnancy.” My grip on the switchblade tightens as I slam the door shut behind him, my mind racing to process the implications. Emily and Lucas, conspiring against us. The glint of the gun barrel in the hallway, the retreating footsteps, the smoldering cigarette butt in the stairwell,it’s all connected, a web of betrayal tightening around Sophia and me. I glance at her, curled on the couch, her hazel eyes wide with fear, her hands instinctively resting on her stomach, protecting the life we created together. My chest aches with a fierce need to shield her, to burn down anyone who dares threaten her or our child.

Asher paces the room, his usually composed demeanor fraying at the edges. His dark hair is disheveled, his jaw tight, and there’s a haunted look in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. “Julian, you need to listen to me,” he says, his voice low but urgent. “Emily’s been talking to Lucas for weeks. I overheard her last night, on the phone, plotting something. She mentioned Sophia’s pregnancy she said "it’s the leverage they need to destroy you both."

My blood runs cold. “How the hell does she know?” I demand, my voice sharper than intended. Sophia’s head snaps up, her breath hitching, and I curse myself for letting my anger spill over. I cross to her, kneeling beside the couch, my hand finding hers. Her fingers are cold, trembling, and I squeeze them gently, trying to pour my strength into her. “It’s okay,” I murmur, though the lie tastes bitter. Nothing about this is okay.

“I don’t know how she found out,” Asher admits, running a hand through his hair. “But Emily’s always been jealous of Sophia. And Lucas… he’s obsessed with keeping her under his thumb. They’re dangerous together, Julian. I came here to warn you, but I think I was followed.”

The gunshot from the stairwell echoes in my memory, a stark reminder of how close the threat is. I rise, my mind shifting into the cold, calculating mode that’s served me well in boardrooms and back alleys alike. “Who followed you?” I ask, my tone deadly calm. “And what do they want?”

Asher shakes his head, his expression grim. “I didn’t see their face. But they knew I was coming here. I caught a glimpse of someone tailing me in the parking garage a black sedan, tinted windows. I thought I lost them, but…” He trails off, glancing at the door as if expecting it to burst open.

I move to the window, pulling the heavy curtains aside just enough to scan the street below. The city pulses with life, oblivious to the danger closing in. A black sedan idles across the street, its engine silent but its presence unmistakable. My jaw clenches. “They’re still here,” I say, my voice low. Sophia’s sharp intake of breath behind me is like a knife to my gut.

“Julian, what do we do?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. She’s trying to be strong, but I can see the fear in her eyes, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. She’s trapped between her abusive husband, her toxic family, and now this unseen enemy who knows too much.

I turn back to her, forcing my expression to soften. “We stay calm,” I say, though my pulse is racing. “Asher, you’re staying here tonight. I’m not letting you out of my sight until we figure out who’s behind this.” I glance at Sophia, my resolve hardening. “And you’re not going back to Lucas. Not ever.”

Her eyes search mine, a storm of emotions flickering across her face fear, hope, uncertainty. “Julian, I…” She hesitates, biting her lip. “What if they hurt you because of me?”

“They won’t,” I say, my voice firm. “I’ve taken down men like Lucas before. And I’ll do it again.” I don’t tell her about the rage burning in my chest, the personal vendetta that’s driven me since I learned Lucas’s family was tied to my parents’ accident. This isn’t just about Sophia anymore it’s about settling a score that’s haunted me for years.

Asher clears his throat, breaking the tension. “I can reach out to some contacts, see if I can trace that sedan. But Julian, you need to be careful. Emily’s not just jealous she’s unhinged. And Lucas… he’s desperate. Losing the CEO position to you was a blow to his ego, but losing Sophia? That’s personal.”

I nod, my mind already mapping out the next steps. I need to call Rob, get him to pull every string he has to track down that sedan and the man in the stairwell. I need to dig deeper into Lucas’s financials, find the evidence that’ll bury him for good. And I need to keep Sophia safe, no matter the cost. But as I look at her, her face pale and drawn, I know I can’t do this alone. She’s not just a pawn in this game she’s my partner, my reason, the one thing I’d give up everything for.

“Come with me,” I say, holding out my hand. She takes it, her grip tentative but trusting, and I lead her to the bedroom, needing a moment to regroup, to feel her close. Asher stays in the living room, pulling out his phone to make calls, his voice a low murmur as we close the door behind us.

The bedroom is a sanctuary within the chaos, its sleek lines and soft lighting a stark contrast to the storm outside. I pull Sophia into my arms, her body fitting perfectly against mine, and for a moment, we just stand there, breathing each other in. Her scent jasmine and warmth grounds me, reminding me why I’m fighting. “I’m scared,” she admits, her voice muffled against my chest.

“I know,” I murmur, tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. “But you’re not alone anymore. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, but there’s a fire there too, a spark of the woman she’s becoming the woman she was always meant to be. I lean down, capturing her lips in a slow, deliberate kiss, pouring every ounce of my resolve into it. She responds, her hands sliding up my back, her touch igniting a familiar heat. But this time, it’s not just desire it’s a promise, a vow to protect her, to build a future together.

I guide her to the bed, sitting her down gently, my hands framing her face. “We’ll get through this,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “You, me, and our child. I swear it.”

She nods, a single tear slipping down her cheek, and I wipe it away with my thumb, my heart aching for her. But before I can say more, my phone buzzes in my pocket, shattering the moment. I pull it out, expecting Rob, but the number is unknown. A single message lights up the screen: “You can’t protect her forever. Tell her to watch her back.”

My blood turns to ice. I show the phone to Sophia, and her face pales, her hand flying to her mouth. “Julian, who is this?” she whispers, her voice trembling.

“I don’t know,” I admit, my mind racing. “But I’m going to find out.” I text Rob immediately, forwarding the message and demanding a trace. But as I hit send, a faint noise catches my attention a low, rhythmic tapping, like fingers drumming against glass. It’s coming from the window.

I move to the curtains, pulling them back just enough to peer out. The city sprawls below, but my eyes lock on a figure standing on the rooftop of the building across the street, barely visible in the darkness. They’re holding binoculars, trained directly on our window. My heart stops as I realize they’re not just watching ,they’re waiting.

As I yank the curtains shut, shielding Sophia from view, a red laser dot flickers across the wall, dancing dangerously close to her. A sniper? A warning? Before I can pull her to safety, the window shatters, glass exploding inward, and a voice from outside screams, “You’re mine, Sophia!” Is it Lucas, driven to madness, or someone else entirely, ready to tear their world apart?