"Step away from the window."
Alessandro's voice cut through the room like a command.
Not a suggestion.
Not a request.
An order.
Elena didn't argue this time.
She had already taken three steps back, her pulse quickening as the image burned into her mind—
A sniper.
Watching her.
Tracking her.
Waiting.
The storm outside suddenly felt louder.
Closer.
More dangerous.
Adrian moved quickly, fingers flying across his tablet.
"I'm activating full lockdown."
"What does that mean?" Elena asked.
"It means," he replied without looking up, "no one enters, no one leaves, and every angle of this building is covered."
Alessandro pressed another button on the wall panel.
"Deploy rooftop security. I want every surrounding building scanned."
"Yes, sir," came the response through the intercom.
Elena crossed her arms, forcing herself to stay calm.
"Okay."
She nodded once.
"Great."
"So now I can't go near windows, I can't leave the building, and apparently I'm being hunted by a ghost with a sniper."
Adrian glanced at her.
"That's… a fairly accurate summary."
She gave him a look.
"Glad we're all on the same page."
Alessandro stepped closer to her.
His presence was steady.
Controlled.
But his eyes…
His eyes were dangerous.
"You're not leaving my sight."
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"You've said that before."
"This time I mean it."
She held his gaze for a moment.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
She walked toward the center of the living room, away from any glass or open angle.
"This is officially the worst honeymoon ever."
Adrian muttered under his breath,
"You weren't supposed to have a honeymoon."
"Exactly my point."
The tension in the room was suffocating.
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
Just… heavy.
Alessandro turned toward Adrian.
"I want a full scan of every building within three kilometers."
"I'm already on it."
"Thermal imaging."
"Yes."
"Drones."
"Deploying now."
Elena blinked.
"You have drones?"
Neither of them answered.
She shook her head.
"Of course you do."
Minutes passed.
The rain kept falling.
Security updates came in through the intercom.
"Rooftop secured."
"East side clear."
"Thermal scans in progress."
Adrian suddenly stiffened.
"Wait."
Alessandro turned immediately.
"What?"
Adrian zoomed in on his screen.
"I've got something."
Elena stepped closer despite herself.
"What is it?"
Adrian rotated the tablet toward them.
A thermal image.
One building across from the penthouse.
High floor.
One room lit up in orange and red.
A human heat signature.
Perfectly positioned.
Facing their building.
Elena felt her stomach drop.
"That's him."
Adrian nodded.
"Most likely."
Alessandro's voice turned cold.
"Distance?"
"Approximately 600 meters."
"Line of sight?"
"Clear."
Silence.
Elena whispered,
"He really has a sniper…"
Alessandro didn't hesitate.
"Send a team."
Adrian shook his head.
"Too late."
"What?"
"The heat signature just disappeared."
Elena stared at the screen.
"What do you mean disappeared?"
"He moved."
"Or he left."
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
"He's playing with us."
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Elena exhaled slowly.
"This man is insane."
But deep down…
She felt something else.
Not just fear.
Frustration.
Anger.
She turned suddenly toward Alessandro.
"I'm not going to sit here like a target."
Both men looked at her.
"That's exactly what he wants."
She shook her head.
"No."
"He wants me scared."
She stepped closer.
"I'm not scared."
Alessandro's voice lowered.
"You should be."
"Maybe."
She held his gaze.
"But I'm not weak."
Adrian watched the exchange carefully.
"This isn't about strength."
Elena turned toward him.
"Then what is it about?"
"Control."
Silence.
Adrian continued,
"Marcus Virelli is controlling the situation."
"He's choosing the timing."
"The location."
"The pressure."
Elena clenched her jaw slightly.
"So we take that control back."
Alessandro looked at her.
"And how do you suggest we do that?"
A small, dangerous smile appeared on Elena's lips.
"We stop reacting."
Adrian frowned.
"What?"
She crossed her arms.
"He expects us to panic."
"To lock down."
"To hide."
She shook her head.
"What if we don't?"
Alessandro's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Explain."
Elena stepped closer to the table.
"We act normal."
Adrian blinked.
"With a sniper watching?"
"Yes."
"That's reckless."
"No."
She looked at Alessandro.
"It's unpredictable."
Silence filled the room.
Alessandro studied her carefully.
For a long moment.
Then—
A faint smirk appeared.
"You're suggesting we bait him."
Elena smiled slightly.
"Exactly."
Adrian shook his head.
"That's risky."
Elena shrugged.
"So is sitting here waiting to die."
That shut him up.
Alessandro turned toward the window again.
Rain still poured heavily.
Lightning flashed.
"Marcus wants a game."
He spoke quietly.
"Then we give him one."
Adrian sighed.
"I knew you were going to say that."
Elena leaned back against the table.
"So what's the plan?"
Alessandro turned toward her.
His expression calm.
But sharp.
"You go out tomorrow."
Adrian's head snapped up.
"What?"
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
Adrian shook his head immediately.
"That's a terrible idea."
Alessandro ignored him.
"You go out publicly."
"With security."
"But visible."
Elena's smile grew slightly.
"Like bait."
"Yes."
Adrian ran a hand through his hair.
"This is insane."
Elena looked at him.
"You said it yourself."
"It's about control."
She turned back to Alessandro.
"Let's take it back."
Silence.
Then Alessandro nodded once.
"Prepare everything."
Adrian sighed.
"Fine."
He started typing again.
"If we're doing this… we do it perfectly."
Elena walked toward the couch again, but this time her posture was different.
Stronger.
More confident.
She wasn't just reacting anymore.
She was playing.
Outside, the storm continued to rage.
But inside the penthouse…
The game had changed.
And for the first time since Marcus Virelli revealed himself—
Elena wasn't just the target anymore.
She was part of the trap.