Chapter Four — The Intruder
Amelia could hear her own heartbeat.
Liam's hand was wrapped tightly around hers.
The house was completely dark.
Somewhere downstairs, something crashed.
Then came footsteps.
Slow.
Careful.
Someone was inside.
Liam pulled Amelia behind him.
"Stay here."
She grabbed his arm.
"No."
He looked back.
"What?"
"I'm coming with you."
"Absolutely not."
"I don't want to stay alone."
His expression softened for a second.
Then he nodded.
"Stay behind me."
They stepped quietly into the hallway.
Liam pulled out his phone and switched on the flashlight.
The beam moved across the walls.
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
They reached the staircase.
Liam looked down.
The front door was open.
Broken glass covered the floor.
Amelia's breathing became shallow.
"Where are the guards?"
Liam's jaw tightened.
"I don't know."
He called one of them.
No answer.
He called the other.
Still nothing.
"That's not normal."
"No."
A sound came from the kitchen.
Amelia grabbed Liam's arm.
He raised one finger to his lips.
Stay quiet.
They moved toward the sound.
Liam opened the kitchen door.
Nothing.
The window was broken.
Curtains moved in the wind.
But there was nobody there.
Amelia looked around.
"Maybe they left."
Liam shook his head.
"They didn't come through the front door."
"Then how?"
He looked at the broken window.
"Through here."
He stepped closer.
There were muddy footprints on the floor.
Someone had definitely been inside.
Then Liam noticed something on the kitchen table.
A white envelope.
He picked it up.
Amelia watched him open it.
His face changed.
"What is it?"
He handed her the paper.
There were only six words.
You can't protect her forever.
Amelia felt a chill move through her body.
"They know I'm here."
Liam's eyes hardened.
"Yes."
"How?"
"I don't know."
He took out his phone again.
This time, someone answered.
"Sir?"
"Get everyone to the house."
"Yes, sir."
"And find out where the guards are."
"Right away."
Liam ended the call.
Amelia looked at him.
"Take me home."
"No."
"I don't want to stay here."
"This house is safer than your apartment."
"Someone just broke into your house."
"They didn't get inside the security zone."
Amelia pointed at the broken window.
"They are inside!"
Liam went quiet.
He knew she was right.
A few minutes later, security officers arrived.
They searched every room.
No one was found.
The guards were eventually discovered unconscious inside a security room outside the house.
Thankfully, they were alive.
Liam stood near the doorway while one of the officers spoke to him.
"Whoever did this knew the property."
"What do you mean?"
"They disabled the cameras before entering."
Liam's expression darkened.
"So someone familiar with the security system."
"That's what it looks like."
Amelia listened from behind him.
Fear settled inside her.
This wasn't random.
Someone had planned it.
Liam turned toward her.
"Go upstairs."
She shook her head.
"No."
"Amelia."
"I'm tired of being told what to do."
"This isn't the time."
"When is the time?"
He stared at her.
She stepped closer.
"You keep saying you're protecting me, but you're not telling me anything."
"I'm trying to keep you alive."
"And I'm trying to understand why my life is suddenly in danger!"
Her voice broke.
Everyone in the room went silent.
Liam walked toward her.
"You're right."
She stared at him.
He lowered his voice.
"There are things I haven't told you."
"I know."
"And some of them will hurt."
"I can handle it."
"I'm not sure you can."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Try me."
Liam took a deep breath.
"My father didn't work alone."
Amelia frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Someone helped him move money through several companies."
"Who?"
"My brother."
She froze.
"Damian?"
Liam nodded.
"Damian was involved."
Amelia couldn't speak.
"But you said you discovered your father's crimes."
"I did."
"And your brother?"
"He knew."
"Then why isn't he in prison?"
"Because he disappeared."
"When?"
"Seven years ago."
Amelia stared at him.
"The same year you left?"
"Yes."
She took a step back.
"Where is he now?"
"We don't know."
A horrible thought entered her mind.
"Could he be the person threatening me?"
Liam didn't answer immediately.
That silence was enough.
"You think it could be him."
"I don't know."
"But you suspect him."
"Yes."
Amelia wrapped her arms around herself.
"So the man who destroyed our lives could still be alive."
Liam looked at her.
"And he may know you're with me."
Suddenly, a phone rang.
Everyone looked around.
It wasn't Liam's.
It was Amelia's.
She slowly reached into her pocket.
Unknown number.
Again.
Liam moved closer.
"Don't answer."
But Amelia did.
She placed the phone to her ear.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then a man's voice spoke.
"Amelia."
She froze.
She knew that voice.
Her eyes widened.
"Liam…"
He immediately took the phone.
"Who is this?"
The voice laughed.
"You still don't recognize me?"
Liam's face went completely still.
"Damian?"
The line went dead.
Amelia stared at Liam.
"That was your brother."
Liam looked at the phone.
Then at her.
"Yes."
A message arrived seconds later.
Liam opened it.
There was a photograph.
Amelia's face went pale.
It was a picture of her standing beside Liam outside the flower shop.
Underneath it was a message.
You should have stayed away from her.
Liam's hands tightened around the phone.
Then another message arrived.
Seven years ago you decided to leave her .
This time I won't give you the choice .