Chapter 24: Into the Darkness

Sabrina couldn't shake the feeling that things was getting out of control.

The message she received had been brief, but the weight of its threat was enough to make her heart pound in her chest. Stay away from Nathaniel Knight if you want to live.

The warning echoed in her mind as she marched across the floor of her apartment. She hadn't even saved the number, and there was no way to track it down. No one outside Nathaniel's circle could have known about their growing connection, could they?

Still, fear nibbled at her insides. There were secrets she hadn't uncovered yet, and the closer she got to Nathaniel, the more it felt like the walls were closing on her.

Was it him? Had he sent the message to warn her off—or was there someone else pulling the strings?

She grabbed her phone, ready to send a message to Nathaniel. But just as her fingers hovered over the screen, another notification popped up, this time from her work email. She opened it, her gaze scanning the subject line.

Urgent: Investigation into Knight Industries.

Her pulse quickened as she clicked on the email.

The contents were suspicious, but they suggested an internal investigate within Knight Industries. Sabrina's name was invoked in reference to a number of recent corporate decisions, but nothing specific. Was it a coincidence? Or did Nathaniel set her up as part of a bigger game?

Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call.

Nathaniel.

Her heart skipped. She hesitated, torn between answering and running. But something deep inside her made her pick it up.

"Hello?"

There was a pause on the other end, as though Nathaniel was waiting for her to speak first.

"Sabrina." His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. "Where are you?"

Her mind raced. She couldn't tell him the truth—not with everything that had happened. "I'm… home."

"Don't move."

She frowned. "What's going on?"

"Get in your car, and come to me. I'll explain everything when you get here. And Sabrina…" His tone softened, just slightly. "Be careful."

The words sent a chill through her. He'd never sounded so serious before.

She hung up, grabbing her keys and rushing toward the door.

Sabrina arrived at Nathaniel's penthouse less than thirty minutes later. Her mind was spinning, her thoughts a tangled mess of fear, suspicion, and desire.

As she walked out of the elevator, she realized the penthouse was quieter than usual. The luxurious space felt colder and darker, as if it was an entirely different place.

Nathaniel was waiting for her by the windows, staring out over the city below.

"Why the urgency?" Sabrina asked, trying to mask the tension in her voice.

Nathaniel turned, his expression unreadable. "Because you're in danger."

She stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Who's threatening me, Nathaniel? Is it you? Or is it someone else?"

His gaze hardened, his jaw tight. "It's not me. But you're too close to something you don't fully understand."

"What do you mean?" Sabrina's pulse quickened. "What's going on? I've been getting messages—warnings."

Nathaniel walked toward her, his presence overwhelming. "I told you from the beginning, Sabrina. This world isn't kind. I tried to keep you away from it. I didn't want you to get involved."

Sabrina shook her head. "Then why didn't you stop me?"

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch her cheek. "Because you're already in this, Sabrina. And if I let you walk away now, you'd be dead."

Her breath caught in her throat. "What are you saying?"

He let out a slow breath, as though making a decision. "The people I deal with... they don't forgive betrayal. And they've already marked you. All because of me."

Sabrina's heart dropped. "Marked me? For what?"

He was silent for a moment, his eyes darkening. "For the connections you've made. For trusting me. It's too late to walk away."

She could feel her world shifting. She wasn't just in this for the power or the thrill anymore. Sabrina was entangled in a dangerous web—and Nathaniel was the center all of it.

"I didn't want to drag you into this," Nathaniel continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't protect you if you don't understand what's at stake."

Sabrina reached out, placing a hand on his chest, trying to steady herself. "I don't understand any of this. You're talking about me like I'm already lost."

His eyes softened, his hand reaching up to cover hers. "Because in this world, you are."

When she understood what he meant, her mind raced. Sabrina had gone too far and would never be able to go back. But what choice did she have now? She was already in too deep.

But she still wanted answers. "Who's after me? Who are these people?"

Nathaniel's gaze turned cold. "People who want power. People who want to use you against me. And people who will kill anyone in their way."

He stepped back, motioning for her to follow him. "Come with me, Sabrina. It's time you saw just how deep this goes."

Sabrina hesitated, but the pull between them was undeniable. She couldn't turn away—not now

She took a deep breath, then followed him into the unknown.