𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟐𝟖: 𝑼𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓

The drive through the city was tense, silence hanging thick between them as Adrian navigated the dimly lit streets. Leo sat in the passenger seat, gripping his bag tightly, his mind racing with everything Adrian had just revealed. The reality of the situation felt almost surreal-he was running from dangerous people with a man who had once been a hitman. And yet, despite the fear gnawing at him, a strange sense of calm washed over him. Adrian was here, and as long as they were together, Leo believed they could face whatever came next.

After what felt like hours, Adrian turned down a narrow, secluded road that led to a small, unassuming house tucked away from prying eyes. The place was far from the bustling heart of the city, surrounded by trees that cast long, eerie shadows in the moonlight. Adrian parked the car in the driveway, cutting the engine and leaving them in heavy silence.

"This is it," Adrian said quietly, breaking the tension. "We'll be safe here."

Leo glanced around, taking in the isolated location. It was quiet-too quiet, perhaps-but at least it felt far away from the danger that had chased them out of the apartment. "How long can we stay here?" Leo asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"As long as we need to," Adrian replied, his tone firm yet gentle. "This place is off the grid. No one knows about it but me."

Adrian stepped out of the car, and Leo followed suit, clutching his bag as they made their way to the front door. Inside, the house was small and sparsely furnished-functional rather than comfortable. It had the bare necessities: a couch, a small kitchen area, and a bedroom in the back. There was a coldness to it, an absence of life that made it feel more like a safehouse than a home.

Adrian locked the door behind them and turned to Leo, his expression softening. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this, Leo," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "I never wanted you to be a part of this world."

Leo shook his head, setting his bag down on the floor. "I'm here because I want to be, Adrian. I'm not going to run away from you, no matter what."

Adrian's eyes darkened with a mix of emotions, and he took a step closer, his hand reaching out to cup Leo's cheek. "I don't deserve you," he murmured, his thumb brushing softly over Leo's skin. "But I'm not going to let them take you from me."

Leo leaned into Adrian's touch, feeling a sense of security despite the chaos around them. "Tell me everything," he said, his voice steady. "I need to know what we're up against."

Adrian hesitated for a moment before nodding. He led Leo to the couch, where they both sat down, the weight of the conversation looming between them. "I've been out of the game for a while," Adrian began, his tone serious. "But when you work in that world, it's never really over. There are people who don't let go, who see you as a tool they can use whenever they need. I used to be one of their best assets-a hitman who got the job done, no questions asked."

Leo listened intently, his heart pounding as Adrian continued. "A few years ago, I realized I couldn't keep doing it. I didn't want to be a killer anymore. I tried to get out, to live a normal life. But these people, the ones I used to work for-they don't forgive. They don't forget. They've been looking for a way to pull me back in ever since."

Leo's stomach churned with unease. "And now they've found it."

Adrian nodded grimly. "They've been keeping tabs on me, waiting for the right moment. When they found out about you, they saw an opportunity. They think they can use you to control me, to force me back into the life I left behind."

Leo swallowed hard, the reality of the situation hitting him like a punch to the gut. "But what are we going to do? We can't keep running forever."

Adrian's gaze was steady, filled with determination. "We're not going to run forever. I have a plan, but it's risky. I've been working with someone-an old contact from my past. He's agreed to help me take these people down once and for all, but it won't be easy. It's going to take time, and it's going to be dangerous."

Leo's heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. "What do you need me to do?"

Adrian's eyes softened, and he reached out, taking Leo's hand in his. "I need you to stay close to me, to trust me. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you, but you have to follow my lead. We'll stay here for now, keep a low profile while I work out the details. When the time comes, we'll make our move. Together."

Leo squeezed Adrian's hand, feeling a surge of resolve. "I trust you, Adrian. Whatever it takes, we'll get through this."

Adrian nodded, his expression a mix of relief and determination. "We will," he promised, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to Leo's lips. "We'll get through this, and then we'll be free. No more running, no more hiding."

Leo returned the kiss, feeling a spark of hope despite the danger that surrounded them. As they pulled away, he looked into Adrian's eyes, seeing the man he loved-the man he believed in-despite everything that had happened.

But as they settled in for the night, the weight of the situation pressed down on Leo. He knew they were far from safe, that the road ahead was fraught with peril. And yet, as long as he had Adrian by his side, he was willing to face whatever came next. The only question was whether they would survive long enough to see the other side.

𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘥...