Chapter 6: A Dangerous Obsession

The room was suffocatingly silent except for the faint hum of the city outside. Mia sat on the edge of the motel bed, her fingers curled into the sheets as Ethan paced the floor. His movements were tense, deliberate, and controlled—but she could see the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

Moreau’s men were getting closer.

Ethan had seen obsession before—he had even been on the receiving end of it in his darker days—but Moreau? His was different. It was an obsession laced with power, control, and a level of possessiveness that didn’t allow escape.

And now, Mia was caught in it.

She watched Ethan closely, the shadows playing across his sharp features as he ran a hand through his hair. He was thinking, calculating. She knew he was searching for a way to keep them alive—because Moreau wasn’t just after them. He was hunting them.

Finally, she broke the silence. “What if this never ends?” Her voice was softer than she intended, but it carried the weight of her fear.

Ethan stopped pacing and turned to her. “It won’t.”

Her stomach twisted.

“Not unless we make it end.” His words were cold, deliberate.

Mia swallowed. “What does that mean?”

Ethan sighed and sat beside her. “It means Moreau doesn’t just want to punish me. He wants you. And I need to know why.”

Mia looked away. “I don’t know why.”

Ethan studied her for a long moment. “Then we need to find out.”

The way he said it sent a chill down her spine.

Three Hours Earlier

Mia hadn’t expected the night to take such a dark turn.

She and Ethan had barely made it out of the parking garage before Moreau’s men showed up. They had driven for hours, switching vehicles twice to make sure they weren’t being followed.

Ethan’s paranoia was justified—because Moreau had eyes everywhere.

And now, they were hiding in this run-down motel, waiting for the inevitable.

Ethan had contacts, people who owed him favors. He had promised Mia that he would get answers. But she wasn’t sure she wanted them anymore.

Because the deeper they dug, the more she realized this wasn’t just about Ethan.

This was about her.

Present

Ethan pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. “There’s someone I need to talk to.”

Mia frowned. “Who?”

Ethan didn’t look at her as he answered. “A man named Rossi.”

Mia felt a strange sense of unease at the name. “Who is he?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “An informant. He used to work with Moreau before things went south.”

Mia hesitated. “And you trust him?”

Ethan let out a short, humorless laugh. “No. But he knows things.”

Mia wasn’t sure she wanted to meet this Rossi, but if there was a chance he had answers, she couldn’t ignore it.

“Fine,” she said. “Let’s go.”

Rossi’s Bar – Midnight

The bar was a hole in the wall, the kind of place where bad deals were made, and secrets were bought. The neon sign flickered above the door, casting an eerie red glow on the pavement.

Ethan led the way, his posture rigid. He was ready for a fight if it came to that.

Mia followed, her heart pounding.

Inside, the smell of cigarette smoke and whiskey was overwhelming. A few men sat at the bar, their gazes flicking toward Ethan as they entered.

They recognized him.

A heavy-set man behind the bar narrowed his eyes. “Carter.”

Mia stiffened. Carter?

Ethan ignored the name and walked straight to the back. Mia followed closely, trying to push away the unease curling in her gut.

They entered a dimly lit office where a man sat behind a desk, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand.

His eyes landed on Ethan, then Mia. His lips curved into a smirk. “Well, well. The infamous Ethan Carter. And who’s the girl?”

Ethan didn’t waste time. “I need information.”

Rossi took a slow sip of his drink. “Don’t we all?”

Ethan leaned over the desk. “Don’t play games with me, Rossi. I need to know why Moreau is obsessed with her.”

Rossi’s smirk faltered. He looked at Mia again, this time with more interest.

Then he sighed. “It’s not you he’s obsessed with,” he said to Mia. “It’s who you remind him of.”

Mia’s heart skipped a beat.

Ethan’s expression darkened. “Who?”

Rossi hesitated, then said a name that sent a chill down Mia’s spine.

“Vivienne Laurent.”

Mia felt the blood drain from her face.

She had never heard that name before.

But somehow, it felt familiar.

Ethan’s grip on the edge of the desk tightened. “Moreau’s old obsession.”

Rossi nodded. “The woman who disappeared years ago.”

Mia swallowed hard. “What does she have to do with me?”

Rossi shrugged. “You tell me. You’re the one who looks just like her.”

Mia’s stomach twisted. “That’s impossible.”

Ethan didn’t say anything. His silence was more terrifying than words.

Rossi leaned back in his chair. “If Moreau thinks you’re connected to Vivienne… you’ll never be free of him.”

Mia’s breath caught.

Moreau’s obsession wasn’t just dangerous.

It was personal.

And now, she was at the center of it.

One Hour Later – Back at the Motel

Mia sat on the bed, staring at the floor.

Ethan stood by the window, watching the street below for any sign of danger.

Neither of them spoke for a long time.

Finally, Mia broke the silence. “Do you believe him?”

Ethan turned to her. “I don’t know.”

Mia exhaled shakily. “But if it’s true… if Moreau thinks I’m connected to this Vivienne woman…” She swallowed. “Then what?”

Ethan’s expression darkened. “Then he won’t stop.”

A shiver ran down her spine.

Mia wasn’t sure what terrified her more—the fact that Moreau wanted her.