Shadows of desire

Chapter 9: The Truth in the Dark

Amara couldn't sleep. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Jide's words replaying in her head.

"There are things about me you don't understand."

What the hell did that mean?

Beside her, Jide was awake too. She could feel the tension in his body, the weight of whatever secrets he carried pressing down on them both.

She turned to him. "Jide, I need to know the truth."

He exhaled, running a hand over his face. "Amara, I don't want to drag you into this."

"Into what?" she pressed. "Who was that man? And why does he know me?"

Jide hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke.

"His name is Tunde. And he's not a man you want to cross."

A chill ran through her. "And you?" she asked quietly. "Are you someone I want to cross, Jide?"

His jaw tightened. "I would never hurt you."

That wasn't an answer.

Amara swallowed. "Are you in trouble?"

Jide turned to her then, his dark eyes holding something unreadable. "Not in the way you think."

Her chest tightened. "Then tell me. Because right now, I don't know if I should trust you or run from you."

Silence stretched between them. Then Jide reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "I'm not the villain in your story, Amara."

She shivered. "Then what are you?"

His lips barely moved when he whispered, "The man who will protect you at any cost."

Something about the way he said it sent a thrill of fear through her.

Because for the first time, she wasn't sure if Jide was protecting her from the danger…

Or

if the real danger was Jide himself.

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