As they discussed their plan, Emma's mind wandered back to Jaxon's revelation. She felt a mix of emotions: gratitude for his protection, but also wariness of his intentions.
...
As the evening wore on, Emma's phone buzzed with an incoming text from an unknown number: "Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."
Emma's heart skipped a beat. Could this be a lead on who was behind the messages?
****
Emma's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the old warehouse. The darkness seemed to press in around her, and she wondered if she'd made a terrible mistake.
As she approached the warehouse, a figure emerged from the shadows. "Emma," the figure said, its voice low and gravelly. "I've been waiting for you."
Emma's eyes adjusted to the dim light, and she saw that it was a woman with a scar above her left eyebrow. "Who are you?" Emma demanded.
The woman stepped closer, her eyes locked on Emma's. "My name is Sophia. I've been trying to reach you. Your father and I...we were involved in something together. Something big."
Sophia's words sent a shiver down Emma's spine. What could her father have been involved in?
Sophia's eyes locked onto Emma's, and she began to speak in a hushed tone. "Your father and I were part of a group that uncovered some disturbing truths about the factory fire. We were going to expose them, but...something happened."
Just as Sophia was about to reveal more, Jaxon appeared out of the darkness, his eyes blazing with intensity. "What are you doing here, Sophia?" he demanded, his voice firm.
Sophia's expression turned guarded, and she took a step back. "Just having a conversation with Emma," she said, her voice cool.
Jaxon's gaze narrowed. "In the middle of the night? In a deserted warehouse?"
Emma felt a surge of annoyance. Why had Jaxon followed her? And why was he interrupting Sophia's revelation? "Jaxon, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice tight.
Jaxon's eyes flicked to Emma's, and for a moment, she saw a flash of concern. But then his gaze hardened again. "I'm making sure you're safe," he said, his voice low.
Sophia snorted. "You're not exactly filling me with confidence, Jaxon."
Emma's suspicion grew. Why was Jaxon being so possessive? And what did he know about Sophia?
The air was thick with tension as the three of them stood there, the only sound the creaking of the old warehouse. Emma felt like she was caught in a web of secrets and lies.
"Let her finish what she was saying," Emma said, her voice firm.
Jaxon's gaze lingered on Sophia before he nodded slightly. "Fine. Continue."
Sophia hesitated, then began to speak again. "As I was saying, your father and I were part of a group that uncovered some disturbing truths. We had evidence, but it was taken from us. And then...people started to disappear."
Emma's heart pounded in her chest. What was Sophia talking about? And what did it have to do with her father?
Emma's mind was filled with questions. What secrets was Sophia hiding? And what did Jaxon know? ...Emma felt like she was walking on a tightrope.
...