The morning sunlight filtered through Elliot’s suite. Alexia sat across from him, her thoughts tangled in the last twenty-four hours.

She finally broke the silence. “Ava and Ben didn’t just come back because they were concerned.” She looked up, meeting Elliot’s gaze. “They came because they believe I’m the main target.”

“It’s not just a belief, Alexia. It’s a fact.”

“And you’re second. If they can’t get to me, they’ll go after you to make a point.”

Elliot didn’t argue. He had already come to the same conclusion.

“Last night,” she continued, “when you told me why they were coming back… I didn’t want to think about what that really meant.” She shook her head. “But now, after dinner, after watching how Ava and Ben handled Myra and Edward, it’s clear. This is more than just a threat. It’s a promise.”

Elliot studied her for a long moment. “Things are already getting out of control. The fact that Jonathan and Georgia are both missing only confirms it.”

“So, they just disappeared? Gone, just like that?”

“Last night, Harris and Sarah did a sweep. No sign of them anywhere. And given everything we know, that’s not a coincidence.”

“It’s getting worse.”

“It is.”

“You trust them.” It wasn’t a question.

“With my life,” Elliot said without hesitation.

“Then I guess I should too.”

“They won’t let anything happen to you, Alexia. And neither will I.”

For the first time, she realized how deep she had already been pulled into something far more dangerous than she had imagined.

The study was quiet.

Elliot finally looked up. “Let’s get started.”

Harris spoke first. “Jonathan and Georgia are gone. No signs of forced exit. No indication they were taken—at least, not in the way we’d normally expect.”

“So, they just left?”

“More like they vanished. No activity on their phones. Their assigned security codes were disabled from the system before they left. That’s not something that happens by accident,” said Sarah.

“Which means they planned this,” said Elliot.

“And they did it clean.”

“Jonathan had access to a lot. More than I’m comfortable with. If he was compromised, so was the estate’s security,” said Ava.

“We’re locking everything down. Effective immediately.” Elliot turned to Steven. “You’re driving for Alexia and me. No exceptions.”

“Understood.”

“Sofia will take over Georgia’s responsibilities for now,” Ava added. “That keeps things running smoothly inside the estate.”

Elliot shifted his focus to Taylor and Sheila. “Until we know more, you’ll be covering external surveillance when not shadowing Alexia. I want constant monitoring of who comes and goes.”

“We’re on it,” said Taylor.

“What about the extra security team?” asked Sarah.

Ben had already anticipated the question. “Six more agents are being brought in to cover the estate perimeter. We’re not taking chances.”

Harris looked at him. “And internally?”

“Steven and I are going to personally check every inch of the security system. If there’s a weak point, we’ll find it.”

“This is getting worse by the day,” said Alexia.

“Which is why we’re making these changes now,” said Elliot.

Ava stood, stretching slightly before looking at Alexia. “I want to spend some time with you today. Talk through safety precautions, get your thoughts on Myra, and—I have something for you.”

“A surprise?”

“Something like that.”

Ben glanced at Elliot. “And you and I need to go over Edward. See what we’re dealing with there.”

“We’ll start immediately.”

Ava turned back to Alexia. “Lunch?”

Alexia hesitated, “Sure.”

“Good.” Ava’s tone lightened slightly. “Anna’s coming too. We’ll keep things relaxed. Just us girls.”

Alexia gave a small smile, though the weight of the morning hadn’t fully lifted.

“Then let’s move. We have a lot to get done before noon.”

With that, the group broke apart, each person moving with purpose.

As Alexia followed Ava out of the study, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were shifting—fast. And for the first time, she wasn’t sure she was ready for what came next.

Back in Alexia’s suite, she closed the door behind them as Ava walked to the sitting area, setting a sleek black designer bag on the table.

She unzipped it and pulled out two boxes, setting them down carefully.

“I brought these for you,” Ava said, flipping open the lids.

Inside were two sets of shoes and matching purses—one a pair of silver heels with a sleek clutch, the other a more practical but equally sophisticated pair of flats with a matching handbag.

Alexia blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Ava… this is—”

“Just something for different occasions,” Ava voice was smooth. “Silver is for when you need to be seen. The other is for everything else.”

Alexia ran her fingers over the soft leather of the everyday bag, taking in the thoughtfulness behind the choices. Ava had planned this, had anticipated the moments she might need them.

Then Ava reached into the bag again, pulling out a smaller, elegant velvet box. She opened it, revealing a breathtaking five-piece diamond jewelry set.

Alexia inhaled sharply. “This is like the crimson red with tracking?”

“Yes, more options. There’s nothing wrong with style and safety coming together. It’s the best of both worlds. Besides, as a woman, I like choices. It’s a complement to the crimson red set,” Ava explained. “Slightly different design, but diamonds instead. So, you can wear it with anything.”

Alexia’s fingers hovered over the delicate craftsmanship, the light catching in the diamonds.

“This isn’t just a gift,” she murmured. “This is preparation.”

“You’ll need it eventually.”

“So, what? No freebies for the bodyguard?” asked Anna.

Ava reached back into the bag, pulling out a diamond ring. She held it out to Anna.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“This is for you.”

Anna’s teasing expression faltered, her eyes widening slightly. “You’re serious?”

“Do I joke?”

Anna took the ring, and slipped it onto her finger. She lifted it to the light, admiring the way it caught the sun. “Damn. I should joke about free gifts more often.”

Alexia glanced at Ava, seeing something deeper in the exchange. This wasn’t just generosity, this was trust, acknowledgment. Ava didn’t just give things away.

Anna seemed to realize it too. She flexed her fingers, testing the weight of the ring. “Guess this makes me official now?”

“You’ve always been official,” said Ava.

For a moment, the weight of the morning eased, the tension momentarily forgotten.

“Alright, now that we’ve covered the essentials, let’s head out.”

Alexia gently closed the jewelry box, the gravity of the moment settling in.

Anna stretched her arms, flashing the ring one more time. “Alright, ladies, let’s see if this little lunch outing gets interesting.”

With that, they stepped out, setting the stage for what would come next.

The upscale cafe was quiet. Alexia had started to relax, sipping her tea as Ava casually scrolled through her phone. Anna, as always, remained subtly vigilant, her eyes looking toward the windows every so often.

Steven was parked outside, waiting in the SUV. Taylor and Sheila sat a few tables away, blending into the background.

Alexia had been absorbed in the conversation about the previous night’s dinner, analyzing Myra and Edward’s reactions, when she noticed Ava’s fingers pause on her screen.

“We should go,” Ava said lightly, setting her phone down.

Anna caught the almost imperceptible shift in Ava’s tone. “Problem?”

“Maybe,” Ava murmured, eyes gazing toward the window. “Black SUV, three cars down.”

Anna followed her gaze without turning her head. “Been there long?”

“Long enough.” Ava stood, smoothing the fabric of her blouse. “Let’s move.”

Alexia followed without question.

Steven stepped out of the SUV as they approached, opening the back door. “All set?”

Ava nodded, but before climbing in, she turned slightly, pulling out her phone. She angled it just so, clicking two quick shots of the black SUV before ducking into the car. Steven shut the door and pulled into traffic.

Alexia tried to focus on the passing city, but the tension between Ava and Anna was thick.

“Are we being followed?” she finally asked.

Steven’s voice came through the intercom. “Yes.”

Ava didn’t look up from her phone. “Black SUV. Two men inside.”

“They’re keeping their distance, but they’re not hiding anymore.”

Alexia turned in her seat, but before she could get a full look, Anna stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Don’t,” Anna said quietly. “Act normal.”

Alexia swallowed and nodded, facing forward again.

Ava tapped a message out on her phone before glancing at Anna. “You should probably let her in on something before she has a heart attack.”

Anna sighed. “The car’s bulletproof.”

“What?”

“Elliot wouldn’t let you ride in anything less,” Anna said, adjusting her seatbelt. “Just in case you were wondering.”

Alexia exhaled, hands gripping the seat. “That’s reassuring.”

Steven took a sharp left. The black SUV followed.

“Alright,” Steven muttered. “Subtle is over.”

The SUV behind them suddenly accelerated, closing the distance.

Anna cursed. “They’re getting too aggressive.”

Steven checked the mirror. “They’re going to try and box us in.”

Ava, still calm, lifted her phone again. Click.

“Got a clear shot?” Anna asked.

“Clear enough,” Ava murmured, her fingers moving swiftly to send the images to Ben.

Alexia’s heart pounded. “What happens now?”

“Steven gets us out of here,” Anna said.

Steven didn’t hesitate. He punched the gas, weaving into traffic. The black SUV followed, barreling forward, desperate to keep up.

Then it made its move—swinging out toward their left, attempting to cut them off.

Steven muttered a curse, jerking the wheel to avoid impact. The car jolted, but he kept it steady.

Anna was already moving, pressing Alexia back. “Stay down.”

Alexia barely had time to react before the SUV swung toward them again.

“Hold on!” Steven called.

The SUV swerved, trying to ram them. Steven countered, forcing them toward the curb. The tires screeched.

Ava kept her phone steady, clicking another shot.

“Reckless,” she murmured. “But they’re not stupid.”

A sharp buzz came from her phone. She glanced at the screen.

Ben.

She smirked. “They’re about to have a very bad day.”

Alexia looked at her. “Why?”

Ava tilted the phone toward her. “Ben and Taylor are en route. ETA, two minutes.”

The SUV behind them suddenly made a final, desperate move—speeding up and swerving toward their side.

Anna tightened her grip on the seat, bracing. “They’re going to try and force us off the road.”

Steven adjusted his grip on the wheel. “Let them try.”

Just as the SUV prepared to strike, two black cars appeared from an on-ramp, cutting across traffic.

Ben and Taylor.

The attackers hesitated, realizing they were now boxed in.

Ben’s car surged forward, positioning itself parallel to the black SUV. Taylor flanked from the other side.

A moment of indecision.

Then the SUV swerved, trying to escape.

Ben accelerated, slamming his vehicle into position to block them. Taylor flanked the opposite side, sealing their only exit.

The SUV skidded, tires screeching. Then, in a last-ditch effort, it veered off the road, disappearing down an exit ramp.

Ava exhaled. “Cowards.”

Steven didn’t slow down, keeping a steady pace as they continued toward the estate.

Alexia was still catching her breath when Anna finally relaxed.

“You okay?” Anna asked.

Alexia exhaled. “That was insane.”

Steven’s voice came through the intercom. “We’ll debrief once we get inside.”

Ben’s voice followed. “Let’s get home.”

Alexia glanced out the window, the city blurring past. She had stepped into something bigger than she ever imagined, and this was just the beginning.

The estate’s gates clanked shut behind them, locking the chaos of the chase outside. Steven eased the bulletproof SUV to a stop in front of the main entrance, the tension still thick in the air.

Alexia exhaled sharply, her fingers still curled around the seatbelt. Anna had been right—the car was secure, but that didn’t change the fact that they had just been hunted.

Ava wasted no time. The second they were inside the gates, she was scrolling through the pictures on her phone, studying each frame she’d captured.

Ben and Taylor’s vehicle pulled up seconds later. As soon as the door opened, Ben was already assessing them, scanning Alexia in particular. “Everyone okay?”

Alexia didn’t answer right away. She was still trying to slow her heart rate.

“She’s fine,” Anna answered, her voice steady as ever. “Just a little shaken.”

Elliot stepped out onto the porch, his sharp gaze locking onto Alexia first, then shifting to Ava, who was flipping through the images. His voice was quiet but firm. “Inside. Now.”

They didn’t argue.

The moment they entered Elliot’s study, Ben closed the doors behind them. Security monitor displaying live feeds from around the estate, and a conference table at the center readied for debriefing.

Everyone took their places. Ava placed her phone down on the table and transferred the images to the tablet in front of her. The screen illuminated with a series of sharp, well-framed shots—the unmistakable faces of the men who had chased them.

Anna pointed to the clearest image, her voice edged with certainty. “That’s them.”

Ben leaned in. “Mace and Artemas Masters.”

Alexia’s stomach turned. “John Masters’ brothers,” she murmured.

“We knew something was coming, but we didn’t expect it this soon,” said Elliot.

Ben’s gaze didn’t leave the screen. “They aren’t just a threat. They’re professionals.”

“Harris, we need a full lockdown protocol in place immediately.”

“Already on it. Sarah and I will track their movements, see if they’ve gone underground or if they’re still nearby.”

Ben tapped on his tablet, making quick adjustments. “Steven, you and I will reassess the security system—if there’s even the smallest vulnerability, we patch it.”

Elliot turned to Taylor and Sheila. “Until further notice, you’re estate security when you’re not shadowing Alexia.”

“Understood,” said Sheila.

Ben swiped through his device and called in six additional agents to monitor the outer perimeter. “That’s a total of 12 outside. They won’t get near this estate again without us knowing.”

“No one enters or leaves unless we say so,” said Elliot.

Alexia watched them move like a machine—everyone’s role precise, every action calculated. It was overwhelming.

This was her life now.

Ava, ever perceptive, leaned slightly toward her. “You’re not alone in this, Alexia.”

Alexia’s fingers curled slightly in her lap. “I don’t think I’ve fully accepted how serious this is.”

Ava’s voice softened. “You will. But you’re safe here.”

Alexia wanted to believe that. But after today?

She wasn’t sure anything was safe anymore.

The truth is… it was more than…