Chapter 5: A Rival Appears

Ava's POV

I sat at my desk, tapping my fingers on the wood as I stared at the file in front of me. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my thoughts kept wandering back to the man who had shown up at my door with a warning.

 Gabriel Pierce. His name was practically etched into my mind now. Every case I dug into, every corner I turned, seemed to lead back to him.

I had been playing with fire since the day I took Marcus's case, but now, the flames were starting to lick at my heels. 

I was no longer just a lawyer representing a client. I had become part of a game I never signed up for—a game with dangerous players.

My phone buzzed on the desk, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. I grabbed it, expecting another cryptic message from Gabriel or, worse, another veiled threat from Ethan. But when I saw the name on the screen, my breath hitched.

Noah Jenkins.

I didn't know him personally, but his reputation was nearly as infamous as Gabriel's. 

Noah Jenkins was the leader of a rival mafia family, one that had been in a cold war with the Pierces for years. What the hell did he want with me?

With reluctance, I answered the call, pressing the phone to my ear. "Ava Thompson."

"Ava, I hope I'm not interrupting your day," came the smooth, controlled voice on the other end. "My name is Noah Jenkins. I believe we have some... mutual interests."

His voice sent a chill down my spine, smooth like honey but with a hard edge underneath, the kind of tone that came from years of dealing with people who wouldn't think twice about pulling a trigger.

"What could those possibly be?" I asked, my words sharp. I wasn't in the mood for more games.

He chuckled, a low, dangerous sound. "I've been watching your involvement in Marcus's case with interest. I'm aware that you've had a run-in with Gabriel Pierce. I'm calling to offer my assistance."

I frowned, gripping the phone tighter. "Assistance? Why would you care about this case?"

"Let's just say, Gabriel and I have been circling each other for a long time. I see this as an opportunity to... even the playing field. You could be a valuable asset in that endeavor."

I swallowed hard. This was the last thing I needed—another mafia leader using me as a pawn. "And why should I trust you?"

"I never asked for your trust, Ava," Noah replied smoothly. "I simply offer you a way out of Gabriel's grip. Whether you take it or not is up to you."

I bit my lip, my mind racing. This wasn't just about Marcus's case anymore. It was about me being caught between two dangerous men, each trying to pull me in their direction. 

I had no idea who I could trust, but I was certain of one thing: I couldn't afford to make enemies of both of them.

Before I could respond, Noah continued, "There's a gala tomorrow night. Consider this an invitation. We can discuss things in person. You'll be safe under my protection."

"A gala? That's not exactly where I imagined discussing legal matters," I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.

"Legal matters? No. But power? Influence? Those are things best discussed among those who understand them," he said, the weight of his words settling over me like a cloud. "I'll send a car for you. It would be unwise to decline."

And just like that, he hung up, leaving me with the gnawing anxiety that had been building since I first set foot in this world.

I stared at my phone, the glow of the screen fading as the call ended. Noah Jenkins was stepping into the fray, and I was smack in the middle of it.

The invitation felt like a warning more than anything else, but I couldn't ignore it. Not when the stakes were this high. 

So, the next evening, I found myself standing in front of my closet, staring at a selection of dresses I hadn't worn in years. 

My heart pounded in my chest as I reached for a sleek black gown, something that screamed sophistication while keeping a shield between myself and the world.

As I slipped it on, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my reflection distorted by the flickering nerves I couldn't seem to shake. 

It had been a long time since I'd been involved in anything resembling a gala, but tonight wasn't about fun or mingling. It was about survival.

At precisely eight, a sleek black car pulled up outside my apartment. The driver, a tall, expressionless man in a suit, opened the door for me. 

The moment I stepped inside, I felt the weight of the situation settle over me like a heavy blanket.

As the car pulled away from the curb, I checked my phone. A single text from Ethan lit up the screen.

Ethan: Where are you going tonight? We need to talk.

I debated responding but decided against it. There was too much at stake now. I couldn't risk getting him involved in any more of this. I was already too deep.

The drive to the gala was silent, save for the low hum of the engine. My mind raced with questions. What did Noah want from me? And how would Gabriel react if he found out I was meeting with his rival?

The car finally pulled to a stop in front of a grand building, lights illuminating the sleek marble facade. 

Guests in elegant attire filtered through the front doors, laughter and conversation drifting out into the night.

The driver opened my door, and I stepped out, feeling the chill of the night air against my skin. With a deep breath, I headed inside, steeling myself for whatever awaited me.

The ballroom was opulent, filled with people I recognized from headlines and business columns. Power players. The elite. 

But beneath the glamour, there was an undercurrent of tension that made my skin crawl.

A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne, and I took a glass, needing something to calm my nerves. I hadn't even taken a sip before a voice cut through the crowd behind me.

"Ava Thompson," Noah said smoothly, stepping up beside me.

I turned to face him, my pulse quickening. He was tall, dressed in a tailored suit that fit him like a second skin. His dark eyes glittered with intelligence and something more—something dangerous.

"You clean up nicely," he remarked, his gaze sweeping over me in a way that was both flattering and unsettling.

"I'm not here for compliments," I said, keeping my tone cold. "What do you want from me?"

"Straight to the point. I like that," he said with a smirk. "I told you—I want to help. Gabriel's grip on this city is too strong. If we work together, we can loosen that hold."

"And what exactly do you get out of this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Gabriel's fall benefits us all," Noah said, his tone turning serious. "But more than that, I think you could be an asset to me."

"I'm a lawyer, Noah. Not a mafia strategist," I replied, my stomach twisting at the thought of being used in another one of these men's games.

He chuckled, the sound low and knowing. "You're more than that, Ava. You've already shown how capable you are. I just want to give you an opportunity to expand those talents."

Before I could respond, a cold shiver ran down my spine. I glanced over Noah's shoulder and froze.

Across the room, standing near the entrance, was Gabriel Pierce. His eyes were locked on mine, his expression unreadable, but there was no mistaking the intensity behind his gaze.

Noah noticed my sudden change in demeanor and followed my line of sight. "Ah, I see Gabriel has arrived."

The tension in the room spiked as the two men made eye contact, an unspoken rivalry crackling between them. I felt like a pawn standing between two kings, and I wasn't sure which way the game would turn.

"Noah," Gabriel's voice cut through the crowd as he approached us, his gaze never leaving mine. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm full of surprises," Noah replied smoothly, his voice dripping with false charm. "Just enjoying the evening with a new friend."

Gabriel's eyes flickered to me, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me like a vice. "Is that so?"

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. This was not the confrontation I wanted—certainly not in the middle of a high-profile gala.

Gabriel stepped closer, his presence commanding as he looked between Noah and me. "I hope you're not trying to drag her into your little schemes, Noah. She's not your plaything."

Noah smirked, unfazed by the challenge in Gabriel's tone. "I think Ava's capable of making her own decisions, don't you?"

The tension was suffocating, the air thick with unspoken threats. I could feel both men waiting for me to speak, to choose a side.

Before I could answer, Noah leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. "There's a lot at stake here, Ava. Think carefully about where you place your loyalty."

He stepped back, his eyes locking with mine for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the middle of the room, caught between two forces I barely understood.

And as if the situation couldn't get any worse, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down and felt my stomach drop as I read the message.

Ethan: Stay away from Gabriel. Or you'll regret it.

I stared at the text, feeling my heart race. Ethan's possessive, suffocating hold was tightening around me, even from a distance. 

This wasn't a warning; it was a threat. And worse, it was coming at a time when I was already walking a fine line between two dangerous men.

Gabriel stood beside me, his presence unsettling yet commanding. He was quiet now, his cold gaze still fixed on the spot where Noah had been. 

I knew I had to play this carefully—any misstep could lead to consequences far beyond my control.

"Ava," Gabriel's voice cut through the silence, soft yet filled with an underlying authority. "We need to talk. Now."

My eyes flicked up to meet his. His tone wasn't a request; it was an order. And given the growing tension between him and Noah, I had little room to maneuver.

"I don't think now is the time," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the chaos roaring inside me.

Gabriel's gaze darkened, his patience thinning. "It wasn't a question."

Before I could protest, his hand brushed my lower back as he guided me toward a more secluded corner of the ballroom. 

I could feel the weight of his touch through the thin fabric of my dress, the control in his grip making it clear that resistance was futile. 

This man was used to getting what he wanted, and I wasn't about to make a scene here, surrounded by powerful people.

Once we were away from prying eyes, Gabriel turned to face me, his expression unreadable but his eyes burning with intent. "You don't understand what you're dealing with, Ava."

"I think I understand plenty," I shot back, though my voice wavered. "I'm not some pawn in your little war with Noah."

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze hardening. 

"No," Gabriel's voice was like steel, "you're much more than a pawn. 

But you don't understand how dangerous Noah Jenkins is. He doesn't just complicate things—he destroys them. He wants to use you to get to me."

"And what are you doing?" I shot back, narrowing my eyes. "Aren't you using me too?"

Gabriel's jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck tightening. He took a step closer, the air between us charged with an unspoken intensity. "If I wanted to use you, you'd know. But trust me, what I want goes beyond that."

His words hung between us, thick with implication. My heart pounded in my chest, my mind racing to process what he was saying. 

Gabriel was dangerous, but there was something about Noah that unnerved me even more. His interest in me felt different, calculated.

"What does Noah want with me?" I asked, my voice quieter now, almost afraid of the answer.

Gabriel's gaze softened, but only for a moment. "Leverage. He knows you're connected to me now. He'll try to twist that into something he can use against me. 

Noah doesn't make idle threats, Ava. If he's interested in you, it's because he sees you as a way to weaken me."

I swallowed hard, feeling a pit of dread form in my stomach. I was already walking a dangerous line with Gabriel, and now Noah was in the mix. The deeper I got into this world, the harder it was to pull myself out.

"I'm not some prize to be fought over," I said firmly, my voice shaking with frustration.

Gabriel's eyes flickered with something—admiration? Respect?—but his expression remained guarded. "No, you're not. 

But you're also not as safe as you think. Noah plays dirty, and he'll come after you in ways you won't see coming."

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, my phone buzzed again in my purse. I didn't want to check it. 

I already knew it was Ethan, his grip on me tightening with each message, each word a reminder that he wasn't about to let me go so easily.

But it wasn't Ethan this time. It was a new number, one I didn't recognize. I glanced at the screen, my blood running cold as I read the message.

"Don't trust him. I'm watching."

I looked around the room, my pulse quickening as I scanned the faces, trying to find the source. Was Noah watching me? Someone else? I didn't know who to trust anymore, and the walls felt like they were closing in.

Gabriel noticed the shift in my expression. "What is it?"

I hesitated for a second, unsure whether to tell him. But then I realized I had no choice. This wasn't just about me anymore. "I think someone's following me," I whispered, showing him the message.

His eyes darkened as he read it, his jaw clenching again. "You're coming with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Gabriel—"

"No," he interrupted, his voice low and dangerous. "You're not safe, Ava. You're leaving with me. Now."

Before I could protest, he was already leading me toward the exit, his hand gripping my arm protectively. I felt the weight of eyes on me, watching, waiting. 

Noah's threat, Ethan's obsession, and now this shadowy figure—I was trapped between forces I couldn't control, and I had no idea who was on my side.

As we walked through the crowd, I felt Gabriel's grip tighten. His presence was imposing, and while I wasn't sure if I could trust him, something told me I was safer with him than I was on my own.

But just as we reached the doors, a figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking our path. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized him—Noah Jenkins.

"I believe you're taking something that belongs to me, Gabriel," Noah said, his voice smooth, but with a dangerous edge.

Gabriel's body tensed beside me, his eyes narrowing. "Ava doesn't belong to anyone."

Noah's eyes flicked to me, a sly smile playing on his lips. "That's where you're wrong."

The tension between the two men was palpable, crackling in the air like a live wire. I felt caught in the middle of something far bigger than I could understand, and I wasn't sure how I'd survive it.

"You invited her to your little party, Noah. Now she's leaving with me." Gabriel's voice was cold, final.

Noah stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine. "Careful, Ava. You don't want to be tied to a sinking ship."

Before I could respond, Gabriel's hand tightened around mine, pulling me away from Noah's gaze. We walked through the exit, the cool night air hitting my skin as we stepped outside.

 As we got into Gabriel's car, I glanced out the window, and there in the shadows, I saw a figure watching me. 

They were too far away to see clearly, but I knew one thing for sure: this was just the beginning.