Page 374 of Beautiful Villain

While the shadows in the daytime lack the ominous depth associated with the night, they become a dynamic part of the environment. Even the seemingly mundane shadows take on significance, serving as both allies and potential betrayers in the relentless dance of survival within the city's labyrinth.

As we weave through the shadows, the neon glow of the city offers no solace. Each turn, each alley becomes a potential trap, and the echoes of footsteps intensify—a relentless pursuit that refuses to be shaken off.

“Should we go back to the Golden Tap?” I ask.

“Trust me,” he snaps, grabbing my hand and yanking me down a side street.

He’s panicking, which only increases my own anxiety.

"We can't let them catch us. I need to disappear, Vinnie."

The admission hangs in the air, a solemn acknowledgment that the fragile illusion of freedom is slipping away. In the game of cat and mouse, the rules are dictated by the shadows, and staying one step ahead becomes a test of survival.

As the chase intensifies, every shadow becomes a potential refuge, every alley a potential escape route. The city, once a canvas of possibilities, now becomes a battleground—a place where the dance with danger is an inescapable reality. In the relentless pursuit, Vinnie and I become fugitives, entangled in a game where the stakes are defined by the shadows that stretch across the cityscape.

The guy… I can’t tell if he’s creeping closer to us or if he’s merely tailing us to see where we’re going, but what’s the point? Why follow us? It’s clearly a deliberate act, but why?

The not knowing his motives is terrifying.

The journey through the city's maze under Vinnie's guidance eventually leads us to another Obsidian Shadows hideout—an enclave within the urban landscape where the dance with shadows takes on a new tempo. As we enter the concealed refuge, a sense of momentary relief settles over us, the walls of the hideout providing a shield against the relentless pursuit.

Several men and women are inside. Vinnie snaps his fingers, and several men, all goon-like in appearance, step forward.

"Scarlet Vipers on our tail,” he says and nods toward me. “Olivia needs protection. Several go out and handle it."

His words cut through the air, a call to action that sets the stage for the shadowy figures within the hideout to mobilize. The atmosphere shifts, becoming charged with a palpable urgency as several goon-like figures rise from their positions, a manifestation of the Obsidian Shadows' clandestine strength.

The goons leave. Their shadows elongate as they step out into the daylight, the mission clear—confront the threat and protect their own. The door shuts behind them, and this hideout becomes a focal point in the ongoing game of cat and mouse. Shadows deepen in the corners of the room as strategies are discussed, alliances solidify, and the echoes of the urban pursuit become a distant drumbeat—each pulse a reminder that survival within this clandestine world requires a delicate dance with shadows and allies alike.

In the sheltered confines of the Obsidian Shadows hideout, Vinnie assumes a role beyond the enforcer—a guardian seeking to anchor me amidst the storm of uncertainty. His attempt to keep me calm becomes a lifeline, a momentary reprieve from the relentless pursuit that has become the backdrop of my life.

"Olivia, we've got this under control,” he assures me, his voice gentle yet resolute. “They won't get to you here."

I wish I could believe him.

"Tell me about your paintings. What do you like to capture?"

I narrow my eyes. Derrick never cared for my artwork. He thought it pathetic and terrible, and I’m sure Vinnie’s only asking to keep my mind preoccupied.

Yet, when I meet his gaze, I see genuine interest in his eyes.

I smile faintly. "Landscapes mostly. Places where the shadows play with the light. It's comforting in a way. I haven’t painted in a long time, though."

“Why not?”

“Derrick.” I blow out a breath.

“He didn’t want you to paint?”

“No. I was to work, but I couldn’t go after promotions. I couldn’t risk making more than him. I had to cook for him, and I’ve always loved to cook, but I could only make meals that he liked. It became boring over the years. I used to like to go out for long runs.” I smile wide. “I never stopped that. I would set the alarm hours earlier than I needed to so I could go out for a long run before he woke up. I would be in the shower when his alarm would go off.”

"Running, huh? A treadmill's not quite the same, but it'll have to do for now. We can't risk you out in the open."

I hate running on a treadmill, but his solution is pragmatic. The shadows demand sacrifices. For all I know, when word gets back to Leonardo about what happened because I left the bar, he might revoke their protection. I’ve risked the lives of his men because I was foolish.

The goons come back.

The tallest one approaches Vinnie. “All clear, Vinnie. The Scarlet Vipers are gone for now.”