Secrets in the Dark
Adrian's POV
Long after Samantha left my office, I kept hearing her confession. I kept going back over our talk, the weight of her words, the terror in her eyes. I had not noticed till Jared had his claws in her. I hadn't realized there was one right here, smoldering just beneath the surface; I had been so caught in keeping things together at the company, handling deals, and putting out fires.
How could I have passed over the warning signals?
Though I had much for Jared, my wrath was not aimed simply at him. No, I too became enraged with myself. Furious that I had let this go for so long without challenging it or considering the strain she was experiencing. I failed in my claimed protection of her.
That was going to change, though.
I stared at my phone while seated at my desk rubbing my fingers against the smooth wood. My head spun through a thousand bad possibilities. Jared was hazardous; it was abundantly evident. But his willingness to travel how far?
Ready to contact Sam, I grabbed my phone and hesitated. She was in need of distance. She consented to let me assist, but I could tell it wasn't easy for her after previously pushing her hard. She used to fight her battles silently and manage things on her own. Her strength was among the things I respected about her. Still, occasionally even the toughest people needed someone to be at their side.
I was taken from my ideas by a knock at the door.
I said, "Come in," my voice rougher than I meant.
Lucas, my helper, came inside the creaking open door. His usually laid-back attitude vanished, replaced with an odd gravity. His eyes strayed to mine, and before he even spoke I knew something was off.
"What is it, Lucas?," said
He said, picking his words deliberately, "there's been a... development." "It has to do with Jared.
I got a cold running down my back. "What happened?," asked
His visage stern, he gave me a file. "We have been monitoring him as asked, but it appears he is moving faster than we would have expected. Tonight there is a meeting booked. Adrian is acting in a play.
Opening the file, I went over the contents and felt my chest constrict with every word. Jared intended to grab everything; he was using his contacts to set up transactions under the table and positioned himself to drive us out entirely. It was not only the business he was pursuing. Sam was also wanted by him.
"He's not wasting any time," I said, shutting the file.
Lucas concurred, saying, "No, he isn't." "He's become more reckless and hostile.“
Rising from my desk, I walked to the room. These days, this was not only business. This is personal. Jared had crossed a line, and right now he was a threat to Sam as much as to me.
"Where is the meeting taking place?" My mind was already running ahead, I questioned.
Lucas changed uneasily. "It's a secluded place under great security. Getting in will not be simple.
"Do we know who is scheduled to be there?"
"Not all of them, although we know some of the players. He is assembling influential people who can enable him to rapidly advance this.
I nodded, trying to absorb the material. Our response has to be quick. I could not wait if Jared were making his move tonight. I had to stop him before he progressed.
"I want eyes on that meeting," I added with great conviction. "We have to know exactly what he intends to do.
Lucas paused then nodded. "I'll have a crew on it. But Adrian, be cautious. This is starting to get risky.
"I know," I responded, my voice harsh. "I'm not letting him win, though."
That evening, I was staring out over the city from my apartment's balcony, the fresh breeze not helping to calm the tempest within me. Though the city lights sparkled far away, my mind was elsewhere, fixed on Sam and Jared.
How did it get to be this?
Though I had always known Jared was aspirational, I had not understood just how far he would travel. He was ready to burn everything down in order to attain what he wanted, not merely striving to climb the ladder. And right now he had Sam caught in his web.
I owed it to someone. I couldn't just sit here and watch things spiral downhill. But then what? Direct confrontation of Jared would simply make matters worse. And not yet, I involve the cops. Too much was on line here.
My phone gently buzzed in my pocket as I considered my choices. I drew it out, my heart skipping a beat upon seeing Sam's name on the screen.
*Sam*, you chose the wrong path.
Her message was brief, but there was clearly panic behind it.
My pulse pounding, I called her right away. Once, twice, the phone rang; then she answered.
"Adrian," she said, her voice wobbly. "He understands."
"What Do you mean?" With a thumping heart, I asked. " What happened?"
Her voice shaking, "Jared knows I told you everything," she added. "He is not going to quit. He is on his way to us.
I held the phone tighter and cursed silently. "Where Are you?"
"I'm at home, but—," said Her speech stopped, and I could hear background noise. In steps.
" Sam??" I uttered a hurriedly urgent statement. "What's happening?"
She said, "I think someone's outside," her voice hardly audible. "Adrian, I'm afraid."
My blood turned frigid. "Lock the doors. Stay where you are right now. I'm here.
I never waited for her reply. Heart pounding in my chest, I grabbed my jacket and hurried out the door. The idea of Jared sending someone to frighten her, to hurt her, made my vision blur with fury.
I intended not to let him touch her.
Sam's house seemed like an eternity on the road. Every second that went by seemed like an eternity, and I couldn't get rid of my anxiety about maybe missing deadlines. Driven harder, I negotiated the meager late-night traffic, my mind fixated on Sam alone in her house, vulnerable.
The street was dark and shockingly quiet when I at last arrived at her house. Not even considering locking the car, I leaped out of it and ran to the front door.
"Sam?" Pounding on the door, I called. It's me. Open out.
There was just silence for a moment, and my heart stitched with terror. The door cracked open then, and Sam stood there with a pale face and wide-open terrified eyes.
I entered and without thinking drew her into my arms. She shook against me, and I grabbed her tighter to help to quiet the emotional tempest whirling around between us.
I said softly, "I'm here." "I won't let anything happen to you."
She drew back gently, looking at me. "What, Adrian, are we going to do? He is not going to quit.
We are going to fight, I said with a determined voice. We are also going to win.
Still, a cold raced down my spine even as I spoke the words. Deep down, I understood this was only the starting point.
A boom from outside broke the silence as we stood in the dark corridor, then the distinct sound of feet approaching the door.