Adrian's POV
The city didn't sleep, but I wished it would. The noise outside only made the silence in my head louder.
I couldn't get that damn video out of my mind Elena on her knees, the laughter, the phone recording.
By the time I reached the university, the night air was sharp. Lights glowed through the dorm windows, but I didn't stop there. I'd already called around. She wasn't in her room.
A student by the fountain finally told me what I needed to hear.
"She's at Sigma House. Some party. Looked upset."
I didn't wait to ask why. I was already walking away.
The party was chaotic.
Music blaring, bodies pressed together, cheap perfume, loud laughter. I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the stares.
Then I saw her.
Elena sat on the floor near the couch, drink untouched, eyes red. Around her, a few girls laughed. One of them is tall, blonde, wearing too much confidence.
"Come on, Elena," she said sweetly. "Smile for the camera."
Elena flinched.
I stepped forward, voice cutting through the music.
"Turn that off."
The girl froze. Everyone turned to look.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
"Elena," I said, eyes fixed on her. "We're leaving."
Her gaze shot up in shock. "Adrian?"
The blonde smirked. "Oh, look who came to save her."
"Move."
The girl's smile faltered when she met my eyes. I didn't have to say more.
I reached for Elena's hand. She hesitated for a second then let me pull her up. We walked out through the side door, the noise fading behind us.
Outside, the night air hit cold. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.
"You didn't have to come," she murmured.
"I did."
"Mateo sent you?"
"Yes."
Her voice cracked. "He's always trying to fix things."
I looked at her then really looked. Mascara smudged under her eyes, shoulders tense, heart clearly breaking even though she tried to hide it.
"You shouldn't have to fight alone," I said quietly.
She didn't answer.
The drive was silent at first. Rain clouds gathered above, dark and heavy.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked softly.
"Because your brother asked me to keep you safe."
"That's it?"
I glanced at her. "Is that not enough?"
She looked out the window. "I don't want pity."
"Good," I said. "I don't give it."
She let out a small laugh, the first sound close to life I'd heard from her all night.
We drove for a while longer until the storm broke. Thunder rolled, lightning flashed across the sky.
"Almost there," I said. "A safe house isn't far."
A few miles later, I stopped by a small grocery store at the edge of town.
"Stay in the car," I told her. "I'll get something for breakfast."
She nodded silently. I went inside.
It didn't take long for a few supplies, some food, and water. But by the time I stepped back outside, the rain had turned heavy, beating hard against the car roof.
I froze when I saw her.
Elena was no longer inside.
She was outside in the rain arms open, head tilted back, spinning slowly like she wanted to wash the whole night off her skin.
Her thin dress clung to her body, soaked through. The fabric turned almost transparent, tracing every curve. Her hair stuck to her face, her lips parted slightly as she laughed under the rain.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
"Elena," I called out, my voice lower than I intended.
She turned, smiling faintly through the rain. "It feels good," she said. "Cold. Real."
"You'll get sick," I said, walking toward her.
"Maybe I deserve it."
I stopped in front of her. Water dripped from her lashes. Up close, I could see how the rain traced the line of her collarbone, disappearing beneath the thin fabric. She looked fragile and dangerous all at once.
"Come on," I said, reaching out to take her arm.
She looked up at me. "You always do that."
"What?"
"Act like you don't feel anything."
Her words hit somewhere I didn't expect. I didn't answer. I just pulled off my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.
She shivered, but didn't move away. Her eyes stayed on mine for a second too long. The tension between us thickened soft, quiet, electric.
I swallowed hard. "Get in the car."
She smirked slightly. "You're bossy."
"Get in the car, Elena."
This time, she obeyed.
I walked around to the driver's side, soaked now too. When I sat down, she was staring out the window, raindrops sliding over her skin. The air between us felt heavy not from words, but from everything we didn't say.
I started the engine. "Next time you feel like dancing in the rain," I muttered, "wait till we're not running for our lives."
She smiled faintly, pulling his jacket tighter. "You'd still come after me."
I didn't deny it.
As we drove away, lightning flashed again, lighting her face for a split second soft, defiant, beautiful.
The safe house was waiting.
But the real danger had just started.