Third Person POV
Elena's Living Room, 10:00 PM
Piper Redding stood motionless in the center of the living room. Dark, wet circles bloomed steadily beneath her red coat, staining the cream rug drop by drop.
The gun in her hand remained steady, its black barrel fixed on Evan. He slept on, cheek pressed against Elena's collarbone, small chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. A tiny, drowsy sigh escaped him as he nestled closer.
Piper tilted her head slowly. Her childish grin stretched wider as her eyes traveled from Elena's face down to her trembling feet.
She gestured toward the couch with the gun.
"Put the boy down. Then lock the door."
Elena's throat worked, but no protest came. Her knees shook so violently the keys jingled in her fist. She crossed the room in uneven, jerking steps, lowered Evan onto the cushions as though he were made of glass, then hurried to bolt the door.
When she turned, her heart jumped into her throat.
Piper had already settled beside Evan, one gloved hand resting casually near his curls.
"He's still breathing," Piper announced in that high, sing-song voice. "Whether he stays that way… depends on the choices you make tonight."
Elena clenched her fists, dragged in a sharp breath, and exhaled shakily. Tears spilled freely, blurring her vision.
"Come," Piper said. "Sit in front of me."
Elena obeyed at once.
Piper's gaze drifted to Evan's face—wide, vacant eyes studying the sleeping child like a specimen. "He looks healthy. You've been feeding him well."
Without warning she lifted the gun and pressed the cold muzzle behind Evan's small ear.
Elena surged upward.
The vase on the side table exploded. Shards rained across the rug.
She froze mid-motion, legs buckling. She collapsed back onto the couch, tears streaming faster now. She clamped both hands over her mouth to trap the sob clawing up her throat.
Piper raised her head like a rooster about to crow. "I want you to understand how easy it was for me to enter your home without triggering your alarm or alerting your cameras. I could have killed you already," she paused smiling sweetly. "But I chose to wait here patiently for you. Courtesy of my mistress."
Elena shook her head weakly. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Please… what do you want?"
Piper exhaled a delighted little sigh. "Finally. We're getting somewhere."
She cleared her throat like a schoolgirl about to recite. "Your phone. Now."
Elena fumbled it out of her pocket, eyes never leaving the gun still kissing Evan's skin.
"You're going to call Alexander Blackwood. You'll say exactly what I tell you. Exactly how I tell you."
Elena's brow creased, but she nodded once, sharp and terrified.
"And don't waste time thinking about the police." Piper's grin widened. "The call simply won't connect."
*
Elena's Living Room, 11:30 PM
Piper leaned forward. "Ready?"
Elena jerked her head in a nod. She glanced at Evan again. He was still out cold, tiny fists curled near his cheek.
Piper followed the look and laughed, light and cruel. "Just a knockout shot. Relax. Now call him. Speakerphone. I want to hear every word."
The phone rang once.
Alexander answered immediately.
"Elena?" Alexander's voice burst through, laden with worry. "Are you all right?"
"I have a request."
"You can ask me for anything," he said. "Anything at all."
Silence stretched. Piper's finger tightened visibly on the trigger. Elena's lips parted on a silent gasp.
"Ever since I met you, Alexander, it's been nothing but trouble. One disaster after another." Her voice cracked. "I need you to stay away from us. We don't need you in our lives."
"Elena..." His tone turned raw, pleading. "You're going through a lot. I know you are. But you don't have to face this alone. I'm coming over. Right now. We'll figure it out together."
Rustling came through the speaker—keys, a jacket, footsteps.
"I won't open the door."
"Then I'll wait outside. I'll stand guard. I care about you, Elena. I…" His voice dropped, almost broken. "I love you. So much."
Fresh tears streamed down Elena's face. She gripped the phone until her knuckles blanched.
"I don't love you, Alexander," Elena blurted out. "Stay away. We don't need you."
She ended the call before he could answer.
"Excellent," Piper purred. She rose, glided close, and bent until her lips brushed Elena's ear. "Get too close to him again, and I'll borrow your sweet baby boy once more. Next time you get him back… he'll be missing an eye. Because you didn't listen."
A sob ripped out of Elena despite her clenched teeth.
Piper straightened, executed a perfect twirl that ended with her facing the front door.
"Good night, Elena."
Darkness swallowed the room.
Elena screamed.
The lights snapped back on and Piper was gone.
Elena lunged across the floor, scooped Evan into her arms, and crushed him against her chest. Her tears soaked his soft sleeping face as she rocked him, whispering broken apologies into the silence.
****
Unknown Location, 12:30 AM
Julian Styles shivered harder and yanked his coat collar higher. He couldn't tell whether the mansion was cold or maybe fear had simply sunk its claws so deep he could no longer tell the difference.
A woman stood before him with long red hair, minimal crimson makeup. A lackey.
"Mr. Styles." Her voice was calm, professional. "Does my mistress have a deal with you?"
Julian shook his head once. Then closed his eyes. Then pulled the coat tighter.
"You're offering me fifty million Farqus to make Elena fall in love with me again. Is that correct?"
"No." She corrected herself before he could speak. "My mistress is paying you fifty million Farqus to make Elena completely, irrevocably in love with you. Devoted. Obsessed. See the difference?"
Julian's pulse thundered in his ears. "And if I fail?"
"When you succeed," she said softly, "you'll receive a hundred million Farqus as a bonus." She paused. "Failure is not an option, Mr. Styles."
His gaze dropped to the enormous duffel at her feet. Stacks of cash peeked through the half-open zipper.
He swallowed once then nodded.
"I'll take the deal."