Chapter Three

Alison stood still, her breath halting in her throat. The faint noise of footsteps near the cabin sent a chilling shiver down her spine. She clutched the sides of the sofa, her mind racing. Nicholas had vanished into the hallway, leaving her to confront whatever—or whoever—was awaiting her. 

The shadow moved once again, gliding past the window. Alison felt her heart beating faster as the soft sound of crunching leaves grew louder. She gulped nervously, her instincts screaming at her to remain quiet. 

However, the footsteps came to a halt. 

The abrupt quiet was more frightening than the sound. She focused her hearing, paying close attention, but the only sound she detected was her own shallow breath. The seconds dragged on like hours. 

There was a gentle tap at the door. 

Her body tensed, and she fixed her gaze on the door, yearning for it to remain closed. Whoever was outside hadn’t arrived for a pleasant visit. 

“Open up,” a deep voice called from the other side. 

It wasn't Nicholas.

What was she going to do. She had no way to escape. The other man’s voice had been calm, calculated —this voice sounded harsh and rough. Where was Nicholas. She really hoped he heard the noise.

The knock sounded once more, more forcefully this time. "I’m aware that someone is inside."

“Open the damn door.” 

Alison's thoughts were in a haze. How was she going to inform Nicholas? She didn't know where to run to. Before she could even do anything, the sound of a gun cocking behind her got her attention. 

She turned quickly, her heart racing in her chest, only to find it was Nicholas. He stood few feets away from her his face cold and unreadable. A gun steady in his hand.

“Where did he come from” she wondered 

“Get behind me,” he instructed, his tone quiet yet firm. 

Alison nodded and swiftly stepped back as Nicholas approached the door. He remained silent, his footsteps unnaturally soft. The knock sounded once more, louder and more demanding. 

Nicholas looked back at her. "No matter what occurs, remain silent." "Understand?" 

She nodded once more, her mouth dry. 

He walked to the door, placed his hand on the knob, and swung it open in one swift motion. The chilly night breeze swept in, yet Nicholas remained alert, his gun raised. 

On the veranda stood a stout man, his face partly obscured by the darkness. A smirk crept across his face when he spotted Nicholas. 

"Didn't think you'd be here, Pectran," the man said leisurely. 

Nicholas didn't lower his gun. "Why have you come?" 

The man laughed softly, moving a step ahead. "Relax." I’m simply here to see how you’re doing. “Adrian tasked me with ensuring everything was taken care of.” 

“It has been taken care of,” Nicholas said, his voice flat.. 

The man shrugged “ Word got out that someone saw too much- you know Adrian hate those stuff” He shifted his gaze as if trying to peeped into the house. “ Where is the girl Nic”

“It's Nicholas to you and about the girl she's gone”

“What do you mean gone” He retorted 

“Dead” His voice icy

The man stared at Nicholas for a moment trying to study his face. His gaze held a flicker of suspicion.

“You wouldn't lie to Adrian, would you- you know how he treats traitors, don't you”

Nicholas stepped forward “ You think I'd risk lying to him? She's dead Now leave”

The tension between them was so suffocating. Alison silently prayed the man would buy the lie and just leave.

“If she's dead, you won't mind if I take a look at the body” He had an annoying smirk on his face as he said that.

Nicholas clenched his jaws 

“You're wasting my time” 

“Am I” The man stepped forward clearly challenging Nicholas. “ If you did the job, there's no harm checking, right”

Allison's heart was pounding. It was so obvious the man didn't trust Nicholas and was here to confirm if she was dead or not.

Nicholas’s jaw tightened. “You’re wasting your time.”

“I’m not letting you in,” Nicholas said coldly.

The man chuckled again, his hand drifting to the gun at his hip. “Then I guess we’ve got a problem.”

 Before Alison could process what was happening, the man’s hand moved for his gun—and Nicholas fired.