Elliot Cummings entered his study, the blend of leather and coffee a familiar comfort. His desk, a commanding piece of mahogany, faced inward, ensuring anyone seated before him would take in the estate’s sweeping view through the bay window with towering bookshelves lining the surrounding walls.

A notification blinked on his laptop: Zoom meeting in five minutes. Ava’s urgent message had left no room for negotiation.

Ava and Ben Chase’s faces appeared on Zoom.

“Elliot, I’ve been going over the details of Maria and Macon,” said Ava. “Something doesn’t add up.”

“What do you mean?”

“They’ve been overheard discussing time off—two weeks for their anniversary,” Ava continued. “It’s minor, sure. But when I was at the estate last week, they weren’t where they were supposed to be during the John Masters incident. Their movements don’t align with the security rotations we set.”

Ben added, “We cross-referenced their logs. Minor inconsistencies, but enough to raise flags. If they were just careless, that’s one thing. If they’re compromised…” said Ben.

“Do you think they’re a threat?”

Ava hesitated. “It’s too early to say,” she admitted. “Ben and I don’t trust coincidences, and neither should you. I recommend we approve their vacation request.”

“Let them leave?”

“And have Steven and Anna monitor their activities discreetly. We can also insert a new couple into their positions. Fresh eyes, as Ava suggested.”

Elliot exhaled slowly. “Fine. But this stays between us for now. Alexia doesn’t need to be pulled into this.”

Ava exchanged a glance with Ben. “Elliot, we’ve discussed this, and you should tell Alexia what’s going on. Not everything, just what she needs to know for now… because her life is in more danger than yours.”

Elliot felt the weight of Ava’s hit like a stone, the sharp edge of truth cutting deep. He looked at Ben and Ava, thoughts rushing, flashes from the past five years unraveling in his mind.

“Elliot,” said Ava, “let’s strategize and ensure we stay on the same page. We’ll need updates as situation arise.”

When the meeting ended, Elliot acted.

Elliot buried himself in researching and piecing together the intel. When he briefed Steven and Anna later about the couple’s replacement, their calm acknowledgment reassured him they understood what was at stake.

Later that evening, Elliot knocked lightly on the studio door and quietly entered. He saw her seated on a stool, brush poised midair, eyes focused on the chaotic mix of colors before her.

“Alexia.”

She jumped at his sudden interruption. “Elliot, what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to check on you.”

“I’m fine.”

Elliot moved closer, the scent of paint and turpentine thick in the air, mingling with the tension between them.

“This piece… it’s different from your usual style.”

Alexia hesitated before answering. “Everything feels different lately.”

Her words carried a weight Elliot couldn’t ignore. He moved closer.

“Alexia, about last night…”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I wasn’t finished… there are things I need to tell you. Things I should have told you years ago.”

“And you think now’s the time for honesty, Elliot? After everything?”

“Yes. Because I can’t keep lying to you. Not when everything is at stake.”

She folded her arms. “You have five minutes. Make them count.”

Elliot hesitated for only a moment before stepping closer. “I need you to know… I never wanted to hurt you. And I know that’s exactly what I’ve done. But there’s more to all of this than you realize.”

“Then stop talking in riddles and just say it, Elliot.”

“I’m trying… but it’s not that simple. I’ve made choices to protect you, to protect us. Choices that I can’t undo, no matter how much I want to.”

“Protect me from what, Elliot? From you?”

The words hit him harder than he expected. “From people who would use you to get to me. People who don’t care who they hurt in the process.”

Elliot took a deep breath. “Do you remember ever feeling like someone was watching you these past few years? Maybe things you can’t explain?”

“Watching me? What are you talking about, Elliot?”

“I mean exactly that. Moments where something felt… off, but you brushed it aside.”

Alexia recalled moments that felt off—a car following too long, the sense of someone watching. She had always chalked it up to paranoia.

“I don’t know,” she finally admitted. “Maybe.”

“It does matter… because those weren’t coincidences. I’ve been keeping tabs on you—keeping you safe—even when you didn’t know it.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“You what?”

“I had to, Alexia. I couldn’t take chances. You’re part of my world now, whether you like it or not. And in my world, people go to great lengths to destroy what I care about.”

“I’m not part of your world, Elliot. I never asked for this. And you had no right—no right—to interfere in my life like that!”

“You’re right, I had no right. But I did it anyway, because losing you wasn’t an option. It never has been.”

“Who do you think you are? You don’t get to decide that for me.”

“I know… but if you knew the things I know, the threats you’ve never seen, you might understand why I made those choices.”

She stood up to walk away. Elliot grabbed her arm gently and moved in front of her.

She looked into his eyes. “I don’t know what to say to you, Elliot.”

“Then don’t say anything right now.” In a moment of impulsive need, Elliot mutters, “Five minutes… not long enough to explain, but this is…” as he leans in and kisses her—it’s raw, desperate, and full of everything he can’t say.

Alexia resists at first, her hands pressing against his chest, but the intensity overwhelms her. She melts into the kiss, pauses and whispers, “Damn you, Elliot,” and he pauses, looks directly into her eyes, then responds with another kiss—it’s soft, passionate, and full of everything he can say.

The truth is… Elliot’s voice was low, almost a whisper, “Well, where will we land going down this rabbit…?”

Alexia cut him off. “Shut up. This is not the time to…”

Elliot laid awake for hours while holding Alexia close. The weight of his choices—and the truths he’d shared—still pressed heavily on his chest. Morning came too quickly. He left a note and hurried to his room to shower and prepare for his meeting with Ben and Ava within the hour.

ack in his study, just in time for the meeting.

“Hello Elliott,” said Ben.

“Hello, Ben and Ava.”

“We have a lot to cover that’s very important,” said Ava.

“Regarding Maria and Macon… we’ve reviewed their logs again. They’re clean. Their vacation request was genuine, but the situation underscores a bigger issue.”

“That’s good, but what’s the issue?”

“The fact we had doubts in the first place says something about the state of things. We’ve grown complacent,” said Ben.

“Harris and Sarah are arriving at 2 pm and should be at your estate by 4 pm. They’ll oversee Steven and Anna directly. I trust them completely.”

“What’s their cover story?”

“We’ve told the staff that Macon and Maria were reassigned for breaking protocol. Harris and Sarah are stepping in as replacements, and that’s all anyone needs to know for now,” said Ben.

“Elliot, watch what you say to anyone beyond these four. For the time being, trust no one else. We’re checking Myra and Edward also.”

“Why are you eyeing Myra and Edward?”

“When we were all at the club dancing… they were unusual for a couple just starting to get to know each other on the dance floor.”

“They knew of each other before.”

“They were doing a lot more talking than dancing and flirting. Elliot, they acted like a couple who had been together for a few years. Think about how you were when you noticed Alexia for the first time.”

Ben’s words sent Elliot back to the night they met. The gala had been a blur of faces and formalities, but Alexia stood out like no one else.

Elliot’s thoughts wandered to the night he met Alexia. She was radiant in her crimson red dress that stood out in the golden light of the gala. She stood beside Myra and her boyfriend, but from the moment their eyes met, Elliot knew she was unforgettable.

When the orchestra began playing a slow dance, he asked her to dance. By the end of the evening, he had charmed her into leaving the gala with him to find somewhere quieter.

That night, he purchased a painting from the event. It was hers, Alexia Marque.

When Alexia asked him later why he bought it, he’d told her the moment he saw it, he felt its passion. Its title, “Passion,” was fitting. That painting still hangs in his bedroom—a reminder of their beginning.

“You’re right,” said Elliot, returning to the present. “I was just as captivated then as I am now.”

Ava noticed a subtle shift in Elliot’s demeanor. “You told her, didn’t you?”

“I told her enough to protect her.”

“Be sure to tell her not to tell Myra anything regarding the security at the estate. Make it clear as to whom she can trust,” said Ben.

“Elliot, be careful. Alexia is walking a tightrope without a safety net,” Ava added.

“I know.”

“Elliot, Harris is bringing something you’ll need—a new tool I just completed and tested. It’s the most advanced listening device detector I’ve ever developed. Give one to Alexia when the time is right. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. If you need anything, contact us before our meeting tomorrow,” said Ava. The Zoom call ended.

Elliot spent the afternoon planning for the staff meeting in six hours and contemplating how to approach Alexia. He knew she needed to know more, but he had to be careful how he approached her.

It was early evening in Rome when the Zoom call ended. Ava and Ben sat together in their home office.

Ben noticed Ava was quieter than usual. “You’re keeping a close eye on Elliot. Do you think he’s losing control?”

“Not losing control, but he’s different. Alexia changed him. He’s unraveling, but in a way that might just save them both.”

“Our push seemed to have worked. Do you think she’s ready for what’s coming?”

Ava hesitated. “She’s stronger than she realizes, but she’s still in the dark about so much. I just hope Elliot knows what he’s doing. We’ll talk with him tomorrow.”

“By the way, I’m keeping a tally of who’s unraveling faster—Elliot or Alexia. My bet’s on Elliot.”

“I agree,” Ava said with a giggle. “I must stop giggling so much.”

“No, you don’t. I love that giggle because it’s you. How are you and our babies feeling?”

Ava rolled her eyes, giggling again. “You have seven more months before you meet them.”

At precisely 4 pm, a taxi pulled up to the estate. Harris and Sarah stepped out, dressed casually. Each pulled a large suitcase, their demeanor calm and unassuming.

Their low-key entrance was intentional, designed to reinforce their role as quiet replacements for Macon and Maria. Georgia, the housekeeper, greeted them and escorted them to Elliot’s study.

Elliot greeted them, confirming their backstory was airtight, ensuring no suspicion from the other staff members.Artist Art Work [Canva]

Steven and Anna attended the meeting as planned. Harris took charge.

“Steven, Anna, your contributions to the estate have been nothing short of essential. We’re here to give you the tools and support you need to keep everything running smoothly.”

He handed Elliot, Steven, and Anna small devices resembling an ordinary pen. “This is Ava’s latest innovation. It detects listening devices—hidden in walls, furniture, vehicles, or clothing.”

“Use it daily, and report any findings directly to us,” Sarah added.

As the meeting ended, Harris handed Elliot an extra pen-sized detector. “Give this to Alexia when the time is right from Ava.”

Steven and Anna then took Harris and Sarah on a tour of the estate, showing them security checkpoints, living quarters, and the grounds.

During the tour, Harris asked pointed questions about the routines and behaviors of the remaining staff couples (Jonathan/Georgia, Ricardo/Marcella, and Jacob/Sofia).

Later that evening, Elliot found Alexia in the studio. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, sketching something abstract on a piece of paper.

Elliot hesitated at the door before entering. “We need to talk.”

“Is that code for more secrets you’re ready to dump on me?”

“This isn’t about keeping secrets. It’s about keeping you safe.”

He explained the arrival of Harris and Sarah and their role in overseeing security. “Anna will be spending more time with you. It’s not just about helping you—it’s about keeping an eye on things.”

“Keeping an eye on me, you mean?”

“No. It’s the estate. There are things going on that you don’t see yet, and I need you to trust me.”

“And… you can’t tell Myra what’s happening. Not yet. Just keep things… normal between you two for now. Can you do that?”

Alexia stared at him for a long moment. For once, his eyes did not lie. “I don’t like it, but fine. For now.”

As Elliot turned to leave, Alexia surprised herself by saying, “Wait.”

Elliot looked back.

“Stay… hmm…”

Elliot moved closer. His voice was low, almost a whisper. “The truth is… I never stopped want—”