CHAPTER 14: The Calm Before the Storm

Lisa's POV

It had been a few days since Noha's warning. Since he told me about Dante. Since he had pushed me away, trying to shield me from the chaos that was closing in around us.

But no matter how many times he told me to stay away, I couldn't just sit by. I couldn't let him fight this alone.

I had seen the darkness in his eyes—the weight of the decisions he had to make, the guilt that haunted him. He thought he was protecting me, but I wasn't some fragile girl who needed to be kept in the dark. I was his partner, and I was going to prove it to him.

Noha's POV

I couldn't do it.

I couldn't keep pushing her away. The more I tried, the more I realized how much I needed her.

Lisa had become a part of my life in a way I didn't expect, and that scared me more than anything else. She was like a lifeline, something pure in a world that had none.

But I was fighting against something that wouldn't stop. Dante had a plan, and nothing I did could change that.

I needed a plan. A way to protect her, to keep her safe. But I was running out of time.

Lisa's POV

The night was quiet. Almost too quiet. I sat on the couch, my eyes fixed on the window, waiting for Noha to return. He had gone out, once again, with his men, but this time, it felt different. The air felt thick with tension, as if something was on the verge of happening.

I glanced down at my phone—no messages, no calls from him. He hadn't let me in on what was going on, but I could feel the storm approaching.

I stood up, walking towards the kitchen, trying to distract myself. But the unease in my stomach only grew. What was Noha hiding from me this time?

Noha's POV

I didn't want to drag her into this any further, but I knew it was inevitable.

Dante was already making his move. I could feel it. The tension in the air, the strange quietness of the city—it wasn't normal.

And then, as if to prove my instincts right, my phone buzzed. I checked the screen, seeing Dante's name flash across it.

I sighed, leaning back against the wall.

I'd done everything I could to prepare for this moment, but it never felt enough. Dante didn't play fair, and now it was time to make sure Lisa wouldn't become part of his game.

Lisa's POV

I couldn't keep sitting here, waiting. I had to know what was going on.

I grabbed my jacket, slipping out of the apartment quietly, making my way down the stairwell. Noha would be furious, but I couldn't help it. I couldn't just stand by when I knew things were changing.

I knew he would try to keep me out of this, but I wasn't going to let him. I had to be a part of whatever was coming. No matter how dangerous it was.

Noha's POV

I cursed under my breath as I saw the text from my men: She left. She's gone.

I immediately stood up, grabbing my jacket and heading toward the door.

I had told her to stay put. I had tried to protect her, but now she was walking right into the mess I had been trying to shield her from.

I needed to find her. I couldn't lose her—not like this. Not when she was walking straight into danger.

Lisa's POV

I couldn't believe I was doing this.

The cool night air hit my face as I walked through the streets, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I was risking everything, but something inside me told me I had to. Noha wasn't the only one who needed to fight for what we had. I did, too.

I had to know what was going on. I had to understand the world Noha lived in—our world.

I walked for what felt like hours, but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following me. I glanced over my shoulder, my pulse quickening when I didn't see anything.

But then, I heard the sound of footsteps.

Noha's POV

I wasn't far behind her. My heart raced as I pushed my way through the streets, scanning every corner, every alley, looking for Lisa.

She didn't know the danger she was in. I had warned her, but she didn't listen. Now, I had to find her before anything happened.

I had already lost so much in my life. I wasn't about to lose her too.

Lisa's POV

The footsteps grew louder, and panic surged through me. I couldn't breathe. I turned around quickly, my heart hammering in my chest, but there was no one there.

Was I just being paranoid? Or was someone actually following me?

I quickened my pace, walking faster, but the feeling of being watched only intensified. Every turn I took, I glanced over my shoulder, feeling the weight of someone's gaze on me.

Noha's POV

I rounded the corner just in time to see her walking into a darker part of the street. My instincts screamed at me to run, but I kept my pace steady, not wanting to alert her.

I was too late. I could see the figure step out of the shadows, moving toward her.

"Lisa!" I shouted, running toward her.

But she didn't hear me. She was too caught up in her fear, too focused on the footsteps she heard, not realizing that the real danger was right in front of her.

Lisa's POV

I froze as the man stepped into my path, blocking the streetlight. He was tall, his face obscured by the shadows. I tried to step back, but my legs wouldn't move.

"You're lost, sweetheart," he said, his voice low and menacing. "But don't worry. I'll show you the way."

I backed up, panic rising in my chest. Where was Noha?

Suddenly, I felt a strong grip on my arm, and before I could react, I was yanked into a dark alley.

The man's grip was tight, and fear coursed through me. I didn't know if I could break free. I didn't know what he wanted, but I could feel the danger in his touch.

And then, through the darkness, I heard Noha's voice.

Noha's POV

I reached them just as the man grabbed Lisa. Rage flooded through me, and without thinking, I lunged forward, knocking the man back.

"Don't you ever touch her again!" I shouted, pulling Lisa toward me, shielding her with my body.

The man stumbled back, a grin crossing his face as he recognized me. "So, the great Noha finally shows up."

I didn't wait for him to make a move. I threw a punch, sending him crashing to the ground.

I was done playing games.

"Are you okay?" I asked, turning to Lisa. She looked terrified, but her eyes met mine—eyes that still trusted me, still cared for me.

She was safe. For now.

Lisa's POV

Noha's arms were around me in an instant, pulling me into him, his body tense with anger. But I could still feel the warmth of his touch, the way he held me protectively, as if nothing else mattered.

"Let's go," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I won't let anything happen to you."

As he pulled me away from the alley, I felt a strange sense of calm settle over me. Maybe it was because I knew he would never let me go. Maybe it was because, in that moment, I realized that whatever this world was—this dangerous, chaotic world—it was where I belonged.

It was where we belonged.