Chapter 6 - WHEN THE ENEMY STOPPED HIDING
Adrian Mercer had survived enemies before.
He survived business wars.
Court battles.
Threats.
Betrayals.
But none of them felt like this.
Because this time...
the target wasn't him.
It was Lily.
And Claire.
He stood inside his office staring at the video.
Watching Claire's face.
Watching her promise.
Watching the exact moment she became someone he couldn't lose.
Marcus stood behind him.
"We traced the number."
"And?"
"Nothing."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Nothing?"
"Burner phone. Fake registration. Whoever sent this knows what they're doing."
Adrian remained silent.
Marcus knew that silence.
It meant someone was about to regret something.
"We increase security."
"No."
Marcus looked surprised.
"No?"
"More guards will make Lily afraid."
"Adrian—"
"She already feels like the world is dangerous."
He looked at the screen.
"I won't prove her right."
Marcus nodded slowly.
Then:
"We found something else."
Adrian looked up.
"What?"
"The photo from the mansion gates."
Marcus placed a folder on the desk.
"It wasn't taken by someone outside."
Adrian opened it.
His expression changed.
"What are you saying?"
Marcus looked serious.
"The person was inside the property."
Silence.
Because that changed everything.
An outsider was a threat.
An insider was betrayal.
Adrian turned the pages.
Staff records.
Security logs.
Movement reports.
Someone had been watching them.
For weeks.
Maybe months.
Then Claire walked in.
She immediately noticed the atmosphere.
"What happened?"
Adrian closed the folder.
"Nothing."
Claire stared at him.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Protecting me by lying."
The words stopped him.
Because she was right.
Again.
"I don't want you involved."
Claire stepped closer.
"Too late."
"Claire."
"No."
Her voice shook.
"But Lily is involved. And I love that little girl."
Adrian looked at her.
The word hung between them.
Love.
Not romantic.
Not yet.
But powerful.
Real.
"I can't lose her," Claire whispered.
Something changed in Adrian.
Because that was the same fear living inside him.
The fear of losing Lily.
The fear of losing another person he loved.
Then every light in the mansion suddenly went out.
Darkness.
Complete silence.
Claire froze.
Adrian moved instantly.
He grabbed her hand.
"Stay behind me."
A sound came from upstairs.
A door opening.
Then footsteps.
Slow.
Careful.
Coming closer.
Marcus reached for his weapon.
Adrian looked toward the staircase.
And then...
a voice came from the darkness.
"Adrian."
Everyone froze.
Because Adrian knew that voice.
He hadn't heard it in twelve years.
A voice from his past.
A voice belonging to a man who was supposed to be dead.
"Impossible..." Adrian whispered.
The figure stepped into the moonlight.
And smiled.
"Miss me, brother?"
Claire looked at Adrian.
Brother?
Adrian Mercer had never mentioned having one.
The man smiled wider.
"Looks like you finally found something worth protecting."
Adrian's face turned cold.
"Victor."
The stranger laughed.
"Still remember me."
A pause.
Then his eyes moved to Claire.
And Lily.
"I wondered what kind of person could make Adrian Mercer weak."
Claire felt Adrian's hand tighten around hers.
And for the first time...
she realized something terrifying.
The enemy outside the walls wasn't the biggest danger.
The biggest danger...
May you like
was someone who knew Adrian better than anyone.
His own brother.
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