The doorknob moved again.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Click.
Liora's breath caught in her throat.
Someone was definitely trying to get inside.
Adrian's expression turned completely cold.
Not surprised.
Not panicked.
Just… ready.
"Stay back," he whispered.
Liora nodded, stepping behind him instinctively.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
The sound of rain outside faded beneath the tension building inside the apartment.
Click.
The lock shifted slightly.
Whoever was outside knew what they were doing.
"This isn't random," Adrian muttered under his breath.
"They found us too fast."
Liora's heart pounded.
"What do we do?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his eyes scanned the room quickly.
Measuring.
Calculating.
Then he moved.
He grabbed Liora's wrist gently and pulled her toward the side of the room, positioning her behind a wall near the kitchen.
"Stay here," he said quietly.
"What about you?"
He glanced at the door.
"I'll deal with it."
Before she could protest—
CRACK.
The door burst open.
The lock snapped as two men forced their way inside.
Both were dressed in dark clothing, their movements precise and controlled.
Not like the amateurs from earlier.
These were professionals.
One of them stepped forward, scanning the room.
"Adrian."
His voice was calm.
Almost polite.
Adrian stood in the center of the living room, unmoving.
"You're persistent," he said.
The second man closed the door behind them.
"No choice."
His gaze shifted slightly.
Toward the spot where Liora was hiding.
Adrian noticed.
And in that instant—
Everything changed.
He moved.
Faster than before.
Before the man could react, Adrian grabbed a nearby chair and hurled it across the room.
The chair slammed into the man's chest, knocking him backward.
The first attacker reached for his weapon.
Too late.
Adrian closed the distance instantly.
His hand struck the man's wrist.
CRACK.
The weapon fell to the floor.
Adrian followed with a sharp удар to the man's throat.
The attacker staggered, choking.
But he didn't fall.
Instead, he countered.
Fast.
Precise.
His fist connected with Adrian's side.
A sharp grunt escaped Adrian's lips.
Liora's eyes widened from her hiding place.
These men were different.
They could fight him.
The second attacker recovered quickly and rushed forward.
Now it was two against one.
Adrian blocked one strike.
Dodged another.
But his injured arm slowed him down.
A punch slipped through.
Then another.
He stepped back, breathing heavier now.
The first man smirked slightly.
"You're weaker than before."
Adrian wiped a small trace of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Still enough."
The man chuckled.
"Not tonight."
He reached into his coat.
And pulled out a gun.
Liora's heart stopped.
"No—"
Before the man could aim—
Adrian kicked the table forward.
The heavy wood slammed into the attacker, throwing off his aim.
BANG.
The bullet hit the wall.
Adrian grabbed the man's arm and twisted violently.
The gun fell.
The second attacker lunged again.
This time, Adrian didn't hold back.
His movements turned sharper.
Darker.
More lethal.
He struck the man's knee.
CRACK.
The attacker collapsed with a shout.
Adrian followed with a brutal удар to the back of his neck.
Silence.
The man didn't move again.
The last attacker hesitated.
Just for a second.
That was all Adrian needed.
He stepped forward and grabbed the man by the collar, slamming him hard against the wall.
"Who sent you?" Adrian demanded.
The man smirked despite the situation.
"You already know."
Adrian's grip tightened.
"Say it."
The man leaned closer, whispering something into Adrian's ear.
Liora couldn't hear it.
But she saw Adrian's expression change.
For the first time—
Real anger.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Adrian slammed the man into the wall one last time.
The attacker went limp.
Unconscious.
Silence filled the apartment again.
Heavy.
Liora slowly stepped out from her hiding place.
"Adrian…"
He didn't respond immediately.
He stood still for a moment, his back facing her.
Then he turned.
His expression had changed.
Not just cold anymore.
Something deeper.
Darker.
"You need to leave this city," he said.
Her brows furrowed.
"What?"
"Tonight."
"What are you talking about?"
"They're not just sending people anymore."
His voice was low.
"They sent them."
"Who?"
Adrian hesitated.
Then he said the words that changed everything.
"The organization I used to work for."
Liora felt the world tilt slightly.
"You… worked for them?"
"Yes."
Her chest tightened.
"You're one of them?"
"I was."
The room felt colder.
Everything started to make sense.
The way he fought.
The way people feared him.
The way he avoided the police.
"You're a killer," she said quietly.
Adrian didn't deny it.
Silence.
Rain tapped against the windows again.
Liora looked at the unconscious men on the floor.
Then back at Adrian.
"They're after you because you left?"
"They're after me because I know too much."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"And me?"
Adrian met her eyes.
"You saw me."
The truth hit her hard.
She stepped back slightly.
"So now… I'm a problem too."
Adrian didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Another distant sound echoed from outside.
More footsteps.
More people.
They were coming again.
Faster this time.
Adrian grabbed his jacket.
"We're out of time."
Liora stood frozen.
Her mind was a mess of fear, confusion, and disbelief.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked suddenly.
Adrian paused.
For a moment, he didn't look at her.
Then he said quietly—
"Because I shouldn't have dragged you into this."
The footsteps outside grew louder.
Closer.
Liora took a slow breath.
Then she made her choice.
"I'm not leaving."
Adrian turned sharply.
"This isn't a game, Liora."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because I'm already involved."
Her voice was steady now.
"And running won't change that."
Silence.
The tension between them tightened.
Then—
Adrian let out a quiet breath.
"…You're really stubborn."
"You noticed."
A faint, almost invisible smile appeared on his lips.
Then it vanished just as quickly.
"Fine," he said.
"But from now on…"
His eyes locked onto hers.
"You stay close to me."
The door outside shook violently.
Someone was trying to break in again.
This time—
There were more of them.
And the night was far from over.