Page 31 of Nowhere to Run

Then—a noise.

Faint. Subtle. A creak from downstairs. The porch.

My head snapped up.

Perfect timing.

“What was that?” I gasped, injecting just the right amount of fear, letting my body tremble slightly.

Adrian barely reacted. “I didn’t hear anything.” His focus never wavered, still locked onto me.

Then—

A loud, heavy bang at the front door.

I sat straight up, startled.

Adrian’s expression darkened, irritation flashing across his face. With a sharp tug, he yanked on his jeans, veins pulsing angrily beneath his skin.

“Don’t move a fucking inch.” His voice was a low growl. “I’ll be right back.”

He stalked out of the room.

The moment he was gone, I exhaled a breath of relief, shaking the tension from my limbs. Then—a slow, devious smile crept across my lips.

I grabbed my phone, thumbs flying over the screen, shooting Emma a quick text.“Thank you!”

I slipped back into bed, settling into the exact position he’d left me.

Minutes later, he returned.

A tray balanced in his hands. On it, a selection of food—grapes, cheese, crackers. Two glasses of wine.

And a note.

Folded, on crisp white paper. Untouched.

He hadn’t read it yet.

His expression was tight as he placed the tray at the foot of the bed.

My pulse quickened.

“What’s going on?” I asked, feigning innocence.

He didn’t answer.

Instead, his fingers traced the note, his jaw tight.

“Did someone drop that off?” I gasped, interjecting just the right amount of alarm.

A shadow flickered across his face.

His gaze snapped to mine. Dark. Dangerous.

“Who would drop off a note, Scarlett?” he hissed, voice like steel.

“Got a secret admirer?”

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