Chapter 4: A Bullet and a Name

Mia sat on the edge of her couch, gripping a cup of coffee she wasn’t drinking. Her mind was still reeling from Ethan’s suggestion.

Bait.

He wanted to use her as bait to lure out whoever had tried to drug her last night.

The idea was reckless, dangerous—even insane.

But worst of all?

It was the only lead they had.

Ethan sat across from her, watching her with an almost amused patience. He had changed into a fresh black T-shirt and jeans, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just dragged her into a mystery she never asked for.

Mia finally set the coffee down and exhaled. “Let’s say I agree to this. What’s the plan?”

Ethan smirked. “We go back to the bar.”

Mia frowned. “That’s it?”

Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “That’s where it started. And if they were watching you, there’s a good chance they’ll be watching again.”

Mia bit her lip. The idea of walking back into that place made her stomach churn. “And what if they recognize you?”

Ethan’s smirk widened. “I’m counting on it.”

Something about the way he said it sent a chill down her spine.

Mia crossed her arms. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Ethan shrugged. “I enjoy a good mystery.”

Mia rolled her eyes, but her nerves were still on edge. She had spent the last ten years trying to live a normal life. Now, in less than twenty-four hours, she was tangled in something far bigger than she could comprehend.

Her father had warned her.

“If anything happens to me, she can never know.”

But she knew now.

And there was no going back.

She stood. “Fine. But I have one condition.”

Ethan arched a brow. “Oh?”

Mia crossed her arms. “If things get dangerous, we walk away. I’m not here to play hero.”

Ethan’s smirk softened slightly, but there was something serious in his gaze. “Agreed.”

Mia wasn’t sure if she believed him.

---

That Night – The Bar

The neon sign flickered as Mia and Ethan stepped inside the crowded bar. The atmosphere was just as she remembered—loud music, dim lighting, the smell of alcohol thick in the air.

But this time, she wasn’t just here for a drink.

She was here to find someone.

Ethan guided her toward a booth in the corner, his posture relaxed but his eyes constantly scanning the room. He was looking for something.

Or someone.

Mia shifted uncomfortably. “Do you see anyone?”

Ethan didn’t respond right away. His jaw tightened slightly, and then he muttered, “There.”

Mia followed his gaze—straight to a man sitting alone at the bar.

He looked ordinary. Late thirties, brown hair, dark jacket. But there was something off about him. The way he kept glancing toward them, the way his hand hovered near his pocket like he was waiting for something.

Mia’s stomach twisted. “You know him?”

Ethan’s expression darkened. “I know the type.”

Mia swallowed. “What do we do?”

Ethan leaned back, keeping his voice low. “We wait.”

Minutes passed.

Then—

The man at the bar stood up.

Mia’s heart pounded.

He walked toward the exit, but as he passed them, he slipped a folded napkin onto their table.

Mia stared at it, her pulse racing.

Ethan grabbed it first, unfolding it with a frown.

Written in red ink were four chilling words:

“Walk away. Or die.”

A shiver ran down Mia’s spine.

Ethan crumpled the napkin, shoving it into his pocket. “Well, that’s not very friendly.”

Mia shot him a glare. “This isn’t funny.”

Ethan’s smirk faded. “No. It’s not.”

Mia exhaled shakily. “What now?”

Ethan’s gaze hardened. “Now we find out who sent the message.”

Mia looked around, but the man who had left the note was already gone.

Panic flared in her chest. “We should leave.”

Ethan hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Alright. But stay close.”

They moved quickly through the crowd and stepped outside. The night air was cold, and the street was quieter than before.

Too quiet.

Mia felt the unease creeping up her spine.

Then—

A gunshot.

The sound exploded in the night, and Mia gasped as Ethan grabbed her and pulled her down behind a parked car.

Another shot.

The windshield shattered.

Mia’s breath came in short gasps. “What the hell—”

Ethan pulled out a gun from his jacket and peeked over the hood. “Stay down.”

Mia froze. “You have a gun?”

Ethan didn’t look at her. “Remind me to explain later.”

Mia’s heart pounded. This wasn’t just about her father anymore.

This was real. Someone wanted her dead.

The gunfire stopped.

A long silence.

Then, the sound of tires screeching.

Ethan peeked over the car again. “They’re gone.”

Mia slowly stood, her legs shaking. “Who the hell are these people?”

Ethan didn’t answer right away. He walked over to where the bullet had lodged into the concrete. He crouched down, frowning.

Then, carefully, he pulled something from the ground.

A single bullet casing.

He turned it over in his fingers, his expression dark.

Mia’s stomach twisted. “What is it?”

Ethan exhaled, standing up. “It’s a warning.”

Mia’s breath hitched. “A warning for what?”

Ethan met her gaze. “That we’re getting too close.”

Mia’s hands clenched into fists. “Too close to what?”

Ethan hesitated—then finally said,

“A name.”

Mia’s breath caught.

“What name?”

Ethan’s grip tightened on the bullet.

His voice was low, serious.

“Your father’s.”

Mia stared at him, her world spinning.

This is about him.

Her father’s death wasn’t an accident.

It wasn’t just a mystery.

It was a cover-up.

And now—

Whoever had killed him was coming for her.