Strings of deception

Elena's breath was still ragged, her lips swollen from Noah's ruthless kiss.

Her chest heaved violently as she tried to catch her breath, but her eyes remained locked onto his.

His pupils were blown wide, dark with anger and desire.

The faint sheen of sweat clung to his skin, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.

And yet…

There was no softness in his gaze.

Only rage.

And something far more dangerous.

Possession.

Her fingers trembled slightly against his shirt, still clutching him as if afraid he would pull away.

But he didn't move.

Instead, he stood perfectly still.

Like a predator.

Calculating. Waiting.

But his eyes never left hers.

And she knew, without a doubt—

He wasn't done with her.

---

Noah's POV

The taste of her was still on his tongue.

Sweet and defiant.

And it infuriated him.

Her lips were trembling slightly—

Her cheeks flushed from the brutal kiss—

But she was still looking at him with those goddamn eyes.

Challenging him.

Like she wasn't afraid.

Like she was daring him to break her.

He wanted to.

God, he wanted to.

But he didn't.

Not yet.

Instead, he slowly loosened his bruising grip on her wrists.

Her arms fell limply to her sides, but she didn't move.

Didn't flinch.

Noah stared at her for a long moment.

His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling unevenly.

And then, without a word, he turned away.

Elena's stomach twisted painfully as he suddenly walked away from her.

Her legs felt weak, and she had to steady herself against the wall.

Her eyes followed his broad back as he strode toward the bar cart in the corner of the penthouse.

Without sparing her a glance, he poured himself a glass of bourbon, his fingers clenching slightly around the crystal tumbler.

The ice clinked softly as he brought the glass to his lips.

And then he spoke.

Low.

Dangerous.

Without looking at her.

"You're going to tell me everything."

Her heart stumbled violently in her chest.

She opened her mouth to protest—

To deny—

But he slowly turned his head, and the look in his eyes killed the words on her lips.

There was no warmth.

No tenderness.

Just cold, lethal fury.

"Every detail, Elena."

His voice was like a blade, cutting through her.

"Or I'll rip it out of you."

Her throat tightened.

Her breath caught.

She knew she was trapped.

Completely and utterly.

Her fingers trembled slightly at her sides, but she forced herself to meet his gaze.

"There's nothing to tell," she whispered hoarsely.

Her voice was shaky, barely convincing.

Noah's lips curled into a cruel smirk.

And then, with terrifying calmness—

He picked up her phone from the counter.

Her breath caught.

Her stomach twisted violently as he turned the screen toward her.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Her blood ran cold.

There, on the screen, was the call log.

Clear.

Undeniable.

Vincent Alvarez.

Twenty calls.

All within the past week.

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

She felt the floor tilt slightly beneath her, her legs trembling under the weight of his cold gaze.

He slowly stepped toward her, his footsteps echoing heavily across the marble floor.

And then, he was in front of her.

Again.

Too close.

Too dangerous.

He slowly lifted the phone, holding it up between them.

And then—

He threw it.

The phone shattered violently against the wall, pieces of glass and plastic flying in all directions.

Elena's heart lurched painfully in her chest.

Her eyes shot to his, but he didn't even blink.

Instead, he fisted her chin in his hand, forcing her to look at him.

His grip was bruising, his knuckles white.

"Don't lie to me."

His voice was low.

Dangerous.

And final.

Her throat tightened painfully.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

The only sound in the room was the raggedness of their breathing.

And then, finally, she broke.

Her voice was hoarse.

Barely a whisper.

"I didn't want to."

His eyes narrowed sharply.

But she didn't look away.

Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke.

"I didn't want to, Noah… but I didn't have a choice."

His jaw clenched.

The muscle in his cheek ticked violently.

But he didn't let go.

His voice was low, barely above a growl.

"You always have a choice."

Her eyes burned.

Her chest tightened painfully.

And then, barely above a whisper, she rasped,

"Not when they have my brother."

The moment the words left her lips, the entire room fell silent.

For a split second, Noah didn't move.

Didn't breathe.

Didn't blink.

Her words hung between them, heavy and suffocating.

His grip on her chin loosened slightly.

But his eyes—

They darkened instantly.

Her voice trembled slightly.

"They have Daniel."

Her breath hitched, and her voice cracked with desperation.

"Vincent is using him to control me. I didn't have a choice, Noah. I—"

But she didn't get the chance to finish.

Because Noah suddenly stepped back, his expression unreadable.

Her stomach twisted painfully at the sudden distance.

For a moment, he didn't say a word.

He simply stared at her.

And then, with terrifying calmness, he turned his back to her.

His voice was low.

Flat.

Emotionless.

"Get out."

Her breath caught in her throat.

Her heart stumbled violently.

She stared at his broad back, her fingers trembling slightly.

Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.

"Noah—"

"I said, get out."

His voice was sharp.

Cold.

Final.

Her legs almost buckled, but she somehow forced herself to move.

With trembling hands, she snatched her coat from the chair.

Her vision blurred slightly as she stumbled toward the door, her heart pounding violently against her ribs.

And she didn't look back.

---

Vincent's POV

From the darkened room, Vincent Alvarez leaned back in his chair, a cruel smile tugging at his lips.

His eyes were fixed on the screen in front of him, watching as Elena stumbled out of the penthouse, her hands trembling slightly.

He slowly swirled the amber liquid in his glass, watching the scene with sick satisfaction.

And then, without looking away from the screen, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

The line rang once.

Twice.

And then a gravelly voice answered.

"It's time."

Vincent's voice was low and lethal.

"Make your move."

And then, slowly, his lips curled into a cruel smile.

"And make sure she watches."

---

Elena reveals that Vincent is holding her brother hostage, forcing her to betray Noah.

Noah forces her to leave, but Vincent is already moving his next piece in the deadly game.

----

See you in next chapter...