Chapter five

Chapter Five

The Billionaire’s Secret Obsession

Emma’s heart was still racing long after the gunshot shattered the night.

She stood in the center of Damian’s penthouse, arms crossed tightly around herself, watching as his security team moved swiftly, securing the premises. Damian had barely spoken since ordering Hale to investigate the shooter.

Now, he stood by the bar, pouring himself another glass of whiskey, his expression unreadable.

It was as if a gunman had just tried to kill them, and he couldn’t be bothered to care.

Emma couldn’t take it anymore. “That’s it? You’re just going to have a drink?”

Damian turned his head slightly, arching a dark brow. “What else would you have me do, Emma? Scream? Panic?”

She let out a frustrated breath. “A sniper just tried to kill you. And I got caught in the crossfire! I think a little concern would be appropriate.”

He sipped his drink, his sharp gaze never leaving hers. “If I panicked every time someone tried to kill me, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”

Emma’s stomach twisted. “This has happened before?”

Damian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he set his drink down and walked toward her. His steps were slow, measured, as if he were giving her time to run.

But Emma stood her ground.

He stopped a foot away, his deep voice lowering. “I told you, Emma. I don’t live in a world where things are simple. You wanted to know my secrets? Well, this is one of them. People want me dead.”

Her breath hitched, but she refused to show fear. “Why?”

For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. But then, his lips curved slightly.

“Because I’m not the kind of billionaire who just sits in boardrooms and signs papers,” he murmured. “I have enemies. Dangerous ones.”

Emma clenched her fists. “And I’m caught in the middle of it.”

His gaze darkened. “You chose to be here.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “I didn’t choose to have bullets flying at me, Damian!”

“No,” he admitted. “But you chose to stay, even after the warnings.”

Emma swallowed. “The text message… You knew this was coming, didn’t you?”

His jaw tightened. “I suspected something might happen.”

Her stomach twisted. “So, what was I? Bait?”

His silence was answer enough.

A cold weight settled over her chest.

Damian Wolfe had lured her into his world, knowing full well that she could get hurt. And he had done it anyway.

A sharp knock at the door made them both turn.

Hale stepped inside, his expression grim. “We found something.”

Emma exhaled sharply. “The shooter?”

Hale shook his head. “No. But we traced the message Emma received.”

Damian’s posture tensed. “And?”

Hale hesitated. Then, he handed Damian a phone. “It came from a burner. But here’s the interesting part—whoever sent it was inside this building.”

Emma felt a chill crawl up her spine. “Someone here warned me?”

Hale nodded. “Which means someone close to you, or close to Damian, knew the attack was coming.”

A traitor.

Damian’s expression darkened, his fingers tightening around the phone. “Who had access?”

“We’re narrowing it down,” Hale said. “But we need time.”

Emma turned to Damian. “You have a leak. Someone you trust is working against you.”

His gaze flicked to hers, something dangerous flashing behind his dark eyes. “That’s what I intend to find out.”

—

Emma didn’t sleep that night.

Damian insisted she stay in the penthouse until they figured out who was behind the attack. And despite her instincts screaming at her to run, she stayed.

She lay in the oversized bed of the guest room, staring at the ceiling, her mind spinning.

Who had warned her?

More importantly—why?

Was it someone trying to protect her? Or was it all part of some elaborate game?

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was a pawn in something much bigger.

And then, as she turned on her side, a shadow moved past her bedroom door.

Her breath caught.

She wasn’t alone.

Moving carefully, she slipped out of bed, her pulse hammering as she inched toward the door. Slowly, she cracked it open—just in time to see a figure disappear down the hallway.

She didn’t think. She followed.

The penthouse was dimly lit, the city lights casting eerie shadows along the marble floors. Emma moved silently, her heart pounding as she trailed the figure down the hall.

When they reached Damian’s study, the person slipped inside.

Emma hesitated.

If this was a trap, she was walking straight into it.

But she couldn’t back out now.

She pressed her back against the wall, peering through the cracked door.

Inside, a woman stood by Damian’s desk, flipping through files.

Emma’s breath caught.

She recognized her.

Isla Sterling.

Damian’s personal assistant.

What the hell was she doing in here?

Emma watched as Isla pulled out a small device from her purse and inserted it into Damian’s computer.

A flash drive.

She was stealing something.

Emma’s pulse skyrocketed.

Was she the traitor?

She had to act fast.

Taking a deep breath, Emma pushed the door open and stepped inside. “What are you doing?”

Isla froze.

Slowly, she turned, her expression carefully blank.

But there was something off about the way her eyes flickered—like she was already calculating her next move.

Emma took a step closer. “You’re working against him, aren’t you?”

Isla’s lips curved into a slow, almost pitying smile. “You shouldn’t be here, Emma.”

Her stomach twisted. “Why?”

“Because you have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

Before Emma could react, Isla grabbed the flash drive and bolted.

“Hey!” Emma lunged after her, but Isla was fast—too fast.

She darted out of the office and down the hall, disappearing around the corner.

Emma took off after her.

Her bare feet pounded against the cold floors as she sprinted through the penthouse, adrenaline fueling her every move.

Isla reached the elevator, slamming the button repeatedly.

Emma wasn’t going to let her get away.

With a burst of speed, she grabbed Isla’s wrist just as the elevator doors slid open.

“Let go,” Isla hissed.

Emma tightened her grip. “Not a chance.”

Isla’s eyes flashed. Then, without warning, she yanked Emma forward—causing them both to stumble into the elevator.

The doors slid shut.

And suddenly, they were trapped together.

Emma barely had time to react before Isla slammed her against the wall.

Pain shot through her shoulder, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to let go of the flash drive.

“Who sent you?” Emma demanded.

Isla let out a breathless laugh. “Sweetheart, you’re in way over your head.”

Then, in a move so quick Emma barely registered it, Isla reached into her purse—

And pulled out a knife.

Emma’s blood ran cold.

She barely had time to process what was happening before Isla lunged—

And the elevator suddenly came to a screeching halt.

The emergency lights flickered on.

Emma gasped, heart pounding.

Then, a deep voice echoed through the speaker above them.

“Step away from her.”

Isla froze.

Emma’s eyes widened.

She knew that voice.

Damian.

His tone was pure steel, cold and commanding.

Isla’s jaw clenched. Then, she exhaled sharply, stepping back.

Emma’s knees nearly buckled from relief.

The doors slid open—

And Damian was standing right there, his expression lethal.

Before Isla could move, Hale grabbed her, yanking the knife from her grip.

Emma stumbled out of the elevator, her breath ragged.

Damian’s gaze met hers, something dark and unreadable in his eyes.

“Told you, Emma.” His voice was low, dangerous.

“You should have run when you had the chance.”

To be continued…