chapter 15: Safe Haven

As we drove through the city, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. Mike and Tom were quiet, their eyes scanning the road and the surrounding buildings.

"Where are we going?" I asked Mike, breaking the silence.

"We're taking you to a safe house," Mike replied, his voice firm. "Somewhere that Sophia's people can't find you."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was grateful to be getting out of there, away from Sophia's reach.

As we turned a corner, I caught a glimpse of a tall, imposing building in the distance. It was a nondescript concrete structure, with narrow windows and a heavy-looking door.

"What is this place?" I asked Mike, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"It's a secure facility," Mike replied, his voice reassuring. "You'll be safe here."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. I had to trust Mike and Tom. They were trying to help me.

As we pulled up to the building, Mike turned to me and said, "Stay here. Tom and I will check the perimeter."

I nodded, watching as Mike and Tom got out of the car and disappeared into the darkness.

I was alone in the car, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't like being alone, not even for a minute.

Suddenly, I heard a faint noise coming from outside the car. It sounded like footsteps, light and cautious.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized that someone was approaching the car.

And then, a figure loomed in the window, their face obscured by the darkness.

I gasped, my heart racing with fear.

Who was it? The figure didn't move, just stood there, staring at me through the window.

I tried to scream, but my voice was frozen in my throat. I was paralyzed with fear.

And then, suddenly, the figure stepped forward, its features illuminated by the faint light of the streetlamp.

It was Ethan.

I breathed a sigh of relief, my heart still racing with fear. What was Ethan doing here?

Ethan's eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a flash of concern in them. He quickly opened the door and slid into the seat beside me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

I nodded, still trying to process what had just happened. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

Ethan's eyes scanned the surrounding area, his jaw clenched in tension. "I've been tracking Mike and Tom," he said.

I frowned, feeling a surge of confusion. "Why?" Didn't you send them? I asked.

I did, "but I still want to personally protect you,I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he said.

I felt a surge of emotion at his words, a mix of gratitude and something more. Something that I couldn't quite define.

And then, before I could respond, Mike and Tom appeared at the window, their faces tense with concern.

"What's going on?" Mike asked, his eyes flicking to Ethan.

Ethan's jaw clenched in tension. "I'm taking her to a different safe house," he said. "Somewhere that Sophia's people won't find her."

Mike's eyes narrowed, his face skeptical. "And where is that?" he asked.

Ethan's eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a flash of determination in them. "Somewhere safe," he said. "With me."

Mike's eyes narrowed, his face skeptical. "I don't know if that's a good idea," he said.

Ethan's jaw clenched in tension. "I can protect her," he said. "I have the resources and the expertise."

Tom spoke up, his voice calm and measured. "Ethan's right, Mike. We can't stay here. Sophia's people will find us eventually."

Mike nodded, his face still skeptical. "Okay, fine. But if anything happens to her, Ethan, you're responsible."

Ethan nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "I understand," he said.

Mike and Tom stepped back, allowing Ethan to open the door and help me out of the car.

As we walked away from the safe house, I felt a sense of trepidation. Where was Ethan taking me? And what would happen when we got there?

Ethan seemed to sense my unease, and he placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "You're safe with me," he said, his voice low and soothing.

I looked up at him, searching for reassurance. And what I saw in his eyes made my heart skip a beat.

There was something there, something that looked almost like...affection.

I felt a flutter in my chest, and I quickly looked away. What was I thinking? Ethan was just trying to protect me, that's all.

But as we walked on, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more between us, something that neither of us was willing to acknowledge.

We walked for several blocks, Ethan leading the way through the winding streets of the city. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, my eyes scanning the crowds for any sign of danger.

Ethan seemed to sense my tension, and he placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "We're almost there," he said, his voice low and soothing.

I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart. Where were we going? And what would happen when we got there?

As we turned a corner, I caught sight of a sleek black building looming in front of us. It was a high-rise, with mirrored windows that reflected the city lights.

Ethan led me to the entrance, where a security guard nodded at him in recognition. "Mr. Blackwood," the guard said, his voice respectful.

Ethan nodded, his eyes flicking to me. "This is Camila," he said. "She'll be staying with me for a while."

The guard nodded, his expression neutral. "Very good, sir," he said.

As we stepped into the elevator, I felt a sense of trepidation. What was I getting myself into?

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a luxurious penthouse apartment. The walls were adorned with sleek modern art, and the floors were made of polished marble.

Ethan led me to the living room, where a stunning view of the city skyline awaited. I gasped, my eyes widening in awe.

"It's beautiful," I breathed.

Ethan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you like it," he said.

I smiled back feeling a flutter in my chest, the way he smiled so lovingly at me made my heart skip a bit. I felt a hot sensation crept up my face, I was blushing.

Wait why am I....

Just so he doesn't notice I quickly look away and kept staring at the city's skyline