Lily Blackwood had always known that being a Blackwood came with its own set of dangers
But this?
This was something else entirely.
She read the note again, her fingers gripping the paper so tightly that it crumpled in her hands.
The red ink stood out against the crisp white paper, and the words burned into her mind.
"You think you're safe, Lily? You think being a Blackwood protects you? It doesn't.
Watch your back. Because next time… I won't miss".
A chill ran down her spine.
This wasn't just a warning.
It was a promise.
Lily forced herself to breathe, pushing down the rising panic.
She couldn't afford to lose her composure—not now, not when she had no idea who was behind this.
Her first instinct was to call Isabella.
But something stopped her.
Would Isabella even care?
Her sister had been colder than ever lately, shutting people out like it was second nature.
As much as Lily hated to admit it, she wasn't sure if Isabella would take this seriously enough.
Which left only one person she could turn to.
Adrian Wolfe.
*************************************************
Adrian'sApartment–10AM
Adrian wasn't the type of man to panic.
He had built his reputation on staying calm even in the face of chaos.
It was what made him dangerous.
But as he read the note Lily had handed him, he felt something he rarely experienced.
Rage.
Lily sat across from him, her arms wrapped around herself, her usual confidence shaken.
"This isn't just a prank," she said, voice tight.
"Someone meant this."
Adrian nodded, his jaw clenched.
"This isn't some random threat. This is personal."
Lily exhaled shakily.
"I don't understand. I haven't done anything to—"
Adrian cut her off.
"You're a Blackwood, Lily. That's enough reason."
She swallowed hard.
"But why now? And why me? It's always Isabella people go after, not me."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"Maybe that's the point."
Lily frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Adrian leaned back against his chair, thinking.
"Isabella has too many enemies to count. If someone really wanted to take her down, they wouldn't come at her directly."
"They'd come for me," Lily whispered.
Adrian nodded.
Lily's hands trembled slightly.
"I don't know what to do."
Adrian studied her for a moment before standing up.
"You're staying here."
Lily's eyes widened.
"What?"
"You're not safe at your place. Whoever sent this note knows where you work, which means they probably know where you live, too."
Lily hesitated. "Adrian, I can't just—"
He raised a brow.
"You think I'm asking?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Adrian wasn't asking—he was deciding.
And for once, she wasn't going to argue.
*************************************************
RussoIndustries–Isabella'sOffice
Isabella Blackwood never allowed distractions.
But as she sat in her office, reviewing the latest reports, something felt off.
Her phone buzzed.
Dante Russo.
She let it ring twice before answering.
"What?"
Dante's voice was unreadable.
"Meet me in my office. Now."
She rolled her eyes.
"I'm busy."
"Drop whatever you're doing, Isabella." His voice was sharp.
"It's about Lily."
Isabella stiffened.
The line went dead.
For the first time in a long time, she moved without hesitation.
*************************************************
Dante'sOffice–RussoIndustries
When Isabella stormed into Dante's office, she expected arrogance, power plays, and his usual smug attitude.
What she didn't expect was the look on his face.
It was serious.
Deadly serious.
She narrowed her eyes.
"What's going on?"
Dante tossed a piece of paper onto the table.
"Read it."
Isabella picked it up.
And froze.
The words were simple, but they were enough to set her blood on fire.
"Youthinkyoucancontroleverything, Isabella?Thinkagain.Ticktock."
A surge of rage built inside her.
"Who sent this?"
Dante folded his arms.
"That's what I intend to find out."
Isabella's grip on the paper tightened.
"This isn't the first message, is it?"
Dante shook his head.
"No. And your sister got one, too."
Her heart dropped.
She masked it with a scoff.
"Lily is too soft to handle something like this."
Dante's eyes darkened.
"Which is why she's with Adrian now."
Isabella's head snapped up.
"She's what?"
Dante smirked slightly.
"Didn't know that, did you?"
Something ugly twisted inside her.
Lily had run to Adrian instead of her.
Dante studied her.
"Losing control doesn't suit you, Blackwood."
She turned on him, stepping dangerously close.
"I never lose control."
Dante's gaze didn't waver.
"Then prove it."
For a long moment, they just stared at each other.
And then Isabella did something she never did.
She admitted the truth.
"I want names, Russo." Her voice was cold.
"I want to know who sent these messages."
Dante's lips curved into something dangerous.
"Now that's the Isabella I know."
*************************************************
Meanwhile–Adrian'sApartment
Lily sat on the couch, staring at the city skyline through the window.
Adrian handed her a glass of water.
"You should rest."
She sighed.
"I can't. Not when I know someone is watching me."
Adrian sat beside her, his usual smirk absent.
"You're safe here."
Lily looked at him.
"Why are you helping me?"
Adrian exhaled.
"Because you're not just Isabella's sister, Lily. You're you. And that matters."
Her breath caught slightly.
Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door.
Adrian stood, his body immediately tense.
Lily watched as he pulled out a gun from a drawer.
"Stay here," he murmured.
Her heart pounded.
Adrian walked to the door, glancing through the peephole before relaxing slightly.
Then, he opened it.
Judy Moretti stood there, smirking.
"Miss me?" she asked.
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
"What the hell do you want?"
Judy stepped inside, her heels clicking against the floor.
"Oh, relax. I came to help."
Adrian scoffed.
"Since when do you help anyone but yourself?"
Judy's expression turned serious.
"Since I realized something."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"And what's that?"
Judy looked at Lily, then back at Adrian.
"The person after Lily?" She paused.
"They don't just want to scare her."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Then what do they want?"
Judy met his gaze.
"They want her dead."