Ava sat quietly in the back seat of the sleek black car, her heart pounding louder than the engine. The city lights blurred past the window, but her mind stayed fixed on one question.
Who exactly was Liam Blackwood?
Earlier that day, everything had felt like a dream—the luxury office, the confident way he spoke, the gentle concern in his eyes. But now, after overhearing whispers from employees and seeing armed guards outside his building, doubt crept into her chest.
This wasn't just a successful CEO.
This was something bigger… and more dangerous.
The car finally stopped in front of her small apartment building. Liam stepped out first, walking around to open her door. His presence was calm, yet powerful, like he controlled everything around him.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
Ava nodded, but her voice trembled. "Liam… why do you have bodyguards?"
For a moment, silence filled the air. His jaw tightened, and the playful smile she had grown used to slowly disappeared.
"Because," he said carefully, "my world isn't as simple as it looks."
Her stomach twisted. "What does that mean?"
He looked directly into her eyes, and she saw something there—pain, maybe even fear.
"I run Blackwood Enterprises," he began. "But my family… we have connections. Powerful ones. Some people call it business."
He paused.
"Others call it the mafia."
Ava's breath caught.
The word echoed in her mind like thunder. Mafia.
Suddenly, everything made sense—the guards, the expensive cars, the way people moved when he walked into a room. She took a step back, her hands shaking.
"You're dangerous," she whispered.
Liam's expression softened. "Only to those who try to hurt the people I care about."
Their eyes locked, and in that moment, Ava felt something strange. Fear, yes—but also safety. As if standing beside him meant no one in the world could touch her.
But loving someone like him… could cost her everything.
Just as she turned to walk inside, a black motorcycle sped past them, stopping abruptly at the corner. The rider removed his helmet and stared directly at Liam.
The tension in Liam's body instantly hardened.
"Ava," he said urgently, "go inside. Now."
Her heart raced as she hurried toward the building entrance. Before she could open the door, she heard Liam's cold voice behind her.
"I told you to stay away from her."
The stranger smirked.
"This isn't over, Blackwood."
That night, Ava couldn't sleep.
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling while the city noises drifted through her window. Liam's words repeated in her mind over and over.
"Others call it the mafia."
Her phone suddenly buzzed on the nightstand.
Unknown Number.
Slowly, she picked it up and answered.
"Hello?"
For a second, there was only silence.
Then a deep, chilling voice spoke.
"Stay away from Liam Blackwood."
Ava's blood ran cold.
"Who is this?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
A low laugh echoed through the phone.
"Someone who knows what happens to girls who fall in love with him."
The line went dead.
Her hands trembled as she dropped the phone onto the bed.
Somewhere in the city, danger was already closing in.
The next morning, the sun rose gently over the city, but Ava felt no warmth from it.
Dark circles framed her tired eyes as she walked toward the bus stop, clutching her bag tightly. She had barely slept after the threatening phone call. Every sound during the night had made her jump—every shadow had looked like danger.
Still, she refused to let fear control her life.
"I'm fine," she whispered to herself. "Nothing is going to happen."
But deep down, she wasn't sure.
Her phone buzzed again.
This time, the caller ID showed a familiar name.
Liam.
Her heart skipped.
She answered immediately. "Hello?"
"Ava," his deep voice said, urgent but gentle. "Where are you right now?"
"At the bus stop near my apartment," she replied. "Why?"
There was a brief pause.
"Stay there," he said firmly. "I'm sending someone to pick you up."
Her eyebrows furrowed. "Liam, I can go to school by myself—"
"No," he interrupted. His tone was calm but commanding. "Please. Just trust me."
Before she could argue, the call ended.
Ava sighed, confused but strangely comforted. Ten minutes later, a black SUV pulled up in front of her. The windows were tinted, and the engine purred quietly.
The passenger door opened.
A tall man in a dark suit stepped out.
"Miss Ava," he said politely. "Mr. Blackwood sent me."
She hesitated.
Everything about the situation felt suspicious—but Liam had warned her. Slowly, she nodded and climbed into the back seat.
The car began to move.
At first, everything seemed normal. The streets were busy, people walking, cars honking, vendors shouting. But after a few minutes, Ava noticed something strange.
They weren't heading toward her school.
Her heart started beating faster.
"Excuse me," she said nervously. "This isn't the way to my school."
The driver didn't respond.
Instead, the car suddenly accelerated.
Panic surged through her body.
"Stop the car!" she shouted.
Suddenly, the man in the front seat turned around.
He wasn't smiling anymore.
Instead, his face was cold.
"Too late," he said.
Before Ava could react, a sharp smell filled the car. Her vision blurred, and her head spun. She tried to scream, but her voice faded into darkness.
Everything went black.
Hours later…
Ava slowly opened her eyes.
Her head throbbed painfully, and the room around her was dimly lit. She was sitting on a chair, her hands tied behind her back with rough rope.
Fear exploded inside her chest.
"Hello?" she whispered.
No answer.
The room smelled of dust and metal. Broken furniture lay scattered across the floor, and a single flickering light hung from the ceiling.
Then—
Footsteps.
Heavy. Slow. Deliberate.
A tall figure stepped out of the shadows.
It was the biker from the night before.
He removed his helmet, revealing sharp features and dark, piercing eyes.
"Well," he said with a cruel smile. "You're finally awake."
Ava's breath shook. "Why are you doing this?"
He walked closer, circling her like a predator.
"Because," he replied calmly, "you're the one thing Liam Blackwood cares about most."
Her heart pounded.
"You're wrong," she said quickly. "We're not even—"
"Oh, he cares," the man interrupted. "More than you realize."
He leaned down, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"And that makes you very valuable."
At that same moment, Liam stormed into his office, fury blazing in his eyes.
Marcus stood beside him, holding a tablet.
"They took her," Marcus said grimly.
The words hit Liam like a bullet.
His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Who?" he demanded.
Marcus swallowed.
"Victor Romano."
The name filled the room with deadly silence.
Victor Romano.
Liam's oldest enemy.
The man who had been waiting years to destroy him.
Liam's eyes darkened with rage.
"Prepare the cars," he ordered coldly.
Marcus nodded. "Weapons too?"
Liam didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
He grabbed his coat and headed toward the door, his voice steady but filled with deadly promise.
"No one touches what belongs to me."