Chapter 4: The Trap
Asher's fingers tapped furiously against the steering wheel as the black car cut through the streets of the city. The image of Janet stepping into that man's vehicle haunted him like a ghost. It wasn't just about losing her—no, this was about control, about reputation, about the money.
His phone buzzed.
"Got the location," his friend's voice crackled. "That car is registered to a Luca Moretti. Private estate, just outside the city. High security. Looks like a fortress."
"Send me the coordinates. Now."
A moment later, Asher's screen lit up with a pin drop. He smirked coldly. "Found you."
---
Back at the mansion, Luca stood in his dimly lit study, staring at a security monitor. His jaw clenched as he watched the camera footage—Asher's car leaving the city, speeding toward his home.
He pressed a button on the intercom. "They're coming. Prepare the perimeter. Lock all gates. Bring out the black case."
The servants moved with quiet urgency. The estate shifted into a different rhythm, one that hadn't been touched in years—one designed for defense.
Luke strode down the hallway with thunder in his steps. He reached Janet's room and flung the door open. She jolted up from the bed, startled.
"Wh-What's happening?" she asked, her voice trembling.
He didn't answer at first. He walked in, eyes blazing.
Then, he said in a cold voice, "You're going to marry me. Now."
Janet's breath caught in her throat. "W-What?"
His eyes darkened. "I'm done protecting you like a stranger. You want safety? Then be mine. Or else..."
She stepped back, fear overtaking her features. "Or else what?"
Luke's voice turned low and dangerous. "Or else I'll have your parents brought here... and you'll watch them bleed."
Janet's mouth opened in a gasp. "You can't—how could you—"
"You think I'm a saint?" he snapped. "You're under my roof. You're under my protection. And that means you follow my rules. No more running. No more questioning. You marry me, or you lose everything."
She collapsed to her knees. Her body trembled as tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I thought you were different," she whispered. "You were the only one I trusted."
Luca's jaw tightened. For a fleeting moment, pain flashed in his eyes. But he crushed it under the weight of what had to be done.
"Trust won't keep you alive, Janet," he said, voice like steel. "Obedience will."
---
Outside, the first of Asher's scouts approached the perimeter. Hidden motion sensors triggered an alert inside Luke's control room. Luca's head of security—a tall, scarred man named Roman—watched their movements carefully.
"They're testing our defenses," Roman said. "Looks like four cars in total. Armed. Light weapons, probably handguns and knives. Want me to intercept?"
"Not yet," Luke replied. "Let them come. We'll deal with them on my terms."
He walked back toward Janet's room, where she still sat, stunned, her hands pressed to her chest.
"You don't have to understand why I'm doing this," he said. "Just know I am the only one standing between you and something far worse."
---
Asher's car turned down the private road toward the Moretti estate. His eyes flicked up at the massive wrought iron gates in the distance.
"Looks abandoned," his friend muttered. "No guards, no dogs... kinda weird."
"That's exactly what he wants us to think," Asher muttered.
They got out of the car and walked toward the gate.
The moment they stepped foot onto the gravel, the ground shook.
BOOM.
A loud explosion cracked behind them—just a warning shot, but enough to send a message.
Speakers mounted on the trees came to life with Luke's voice, calm but terrifying.
"You trespassed into my world, Asher. That was your first mistake."
"Come out and fight like a man!" Asher shouted.
"No," Luke replied. "I fight like a monster. And you just stepped into my lair."
Traps triggered. Hidden turrets aimed down. The scouts scattered, chaos unfolding as armed guards swept through the forest surrounding the mansion.
Luke turned to Roman. "Bring Asher in alive. I want him to see what happens when you betray a woman like Janet."
---
Inside, Janet paced her room. Her heart was torn in every direction—fear, betrayal, confusion. She felt imprisoned. And yet, a small voice inside her whispered: What if he's doing this to protect you?
But fear clouded everything. Especially now that he'd threatened her parents.
When Luke returned later, she didn't look at him.
"Do you even care what I want?" she asked.
He didn't reply immediately.
Then he said, "More than you think. But I care more about keeping you alive. And sometimes... love has to wait."
She looked at him then—really looked. For a brief second, the mask dropped. There was something wounded in him. Something buried deep.
But before she could speak, the mansion shuddered.
"Time's up," Luca said, stepping toward the door.
Janet stood, frightened. "What are you going to do?"
He looked back at her, cold fire in his eyes. "Finish what Asher started. But not the way he wanted."
And he was gone.
---
To be continued...