Shadows of desire

Chapter 11: A Past That Won't Die

Amara stared at Jide, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. The man beside her was no ordinary businessman. He was something else—something darker.

A fixer. A man who had cleaned up other people's messes.

And now, his past was knocking at her door.

She pulled her hand from his grasp. "You should have told me."

Jide's jaw tightened. "I didn't want to drag you into it."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Well, it's too late for that, isn't it?"

Silence stretched between them. Then Jide exhaled and ran a hand over his face. "I swear, Amara, I never wanted this for you."

Her chest tightened. "Then what do they want from you?"

His eyes darkened. "Leverage. Power. Control. Tunde didn't come here just to threaten you—he came to remind me that I still owe them."

A shiver ran down her spine. "Owe them what?"

Jide hesitated. Then, finally, he said, "A job."

Amara's breath caught. "You're not going to do it, are you?"

Jide didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at her, his silence saying more than words ever could.

Panic clawed at her chest. "Jide…"

He reached for her then, his hands sliding up her arms, pulling her closer. "Listen to me," he murmured, his voice low, soothing. "I will handle this."

She wanted to believe him. But when his lips found hers—when his hands moved over her, claiming, possessing—she realized something terrifying.

She was already in too deep.

Because despite everything, despite the danger, despite the secrets…

She wanted him.

And she knew, without a doubt, that if Jide was truly caught in a world of shadows, she would follow him into the dark.

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