Adrian

Chapter 20:

(Adrian's POV)

Amber wasn't going to let this go.

I knew it the moment she walked away from me—shoulders stiff, jaw clenched, frustration rolling off her in waves.

She had always been relentless.

Too curious. Too stubborn.

And this time?

She was digging into something dangerous.

Something I had spent years keeping buried.

And if I didn't stop her now?

It might be too late.

—

I moved before I could stop myself.

Before I could think about how badly I wanted to pull her back.

"Amber."

She didn't stop.

She didn't even hesitate.

"Go away, Adrian."

I grabbed her wrist. Gently. But firm enough to make her freeze.

She turned around slowly.

Her eyes were burning with anger. With frustration.

But underneath it?

There was something else.

Something sharp.

Something hurt.

And I hated it.

—

"You don't let things go, do you?" I murmured.

Amber exhaled sharply. "Not when I know I'm being lied to."

I clenched my jaw. "I'm protecting you."

She laughed.

Not the kind I liked.

Not the kind that made my chest tighten in ways I didn't understand.

This was sharp, bitter.

"Protecting me from what, Adrian?" she snapped.

Silence.

I didn't answer.

I couldn't.

Because if I did…

She would never look at me the same way again.

—

She tried to pull her wrist free.

I didn't let her.

Her breath hitched slightly. "Let me go."

I tilted my head. "You're just going to run off and do something reckless, aren't you?"

She scowled. "Because asking questions is so reckless, right?"

I exhaled. "With Damien? Yes."

Her jaw clenched. "So what? You can keep secrets, but I can't?"

"That's different," I murmured.

She glared. "How?"

I hesitated.

Because I couldn't tell her the truth.

And she knew it.

She sighed, shaking her head. "You are the most frustrating—"

I smirked. "Flattering me won't change my mind, sweetheart."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Flattering you?" she snapped. "I was about to call you an infuriating, arrogant, controlling—"

"Charming?"

"No!"

I chuckled. "That's not what your heartbeat says."

She froze.

And I knew I had her.

—

"Excuse me?" she breathed.

I leaned in slightly. Not enough to touch her. But close enough that she felt me there.

Close enough that I could hear her breath hitch.

Close enough that I could see the way her fingers twitched like she wanted to shove me away—but didn't.

I smirked. "You get all worked up when I'm close, Amber."

Her lips parted slightly.

I lowered my voice. Smooth. Teasing.

"Why is that?"

She snapped out of it instantly.

Scowled. "Because you're annoying."

I chuckled. "You keep saying that."

She huffed. "Because it's true."

I tilted my head. "Then why aren't you walking away?"

She stiffened.

Because she knew.

She could have left.

She could have stormed off.

But she didn't.

And I wanted to know why.

—

Her eyes flickered. "Why aren't you letting me go?"

I exhaled slowly.

Then—I loosened my grip.

Just enough for her to pull away.

She took one step back.

Then another.

I let her.

Because I knew something she didn't.

She would be back.

She always came back.

Even when she hated me for it.

—

"Fine," she muttered. "Don't tell me the truth."

I raised an eyebrow. "That easy?"

She scoffed. "No. I'll just figure it out myself."

I smirked. "I'd like to see you try."

She glared.

Then—without another word—she turned and walked away.

And this time?

I let her go.

Because she wasn't really leaving.

She thought she was pulling away from me.

But she didn't realize…

I was pulling her in.

___