The city of New York never truly slept. Skyscrapers stood tall against the midnight sky, their glass windows reflecting the pale glow of streetlights. In the heart of it all, Knight Enterprises, a towering empire built on power and ruthlessness, remained alive even after hours.

Inside the dimly lit office on the topmost floor, a young woman sat at her desk, her tired eyes glued to the computer screen.

Meet Alina Brooks – The Innocent Prey

Alina Brooks had never been the kind of girl to seek attention. She loved her quiet life, her stable job, and the simple joy of sipping coffee while watching the rain from her tiny apartment window.

But lately, she had been feeling… uneasy.

The feeling of being watched had started weeks ago. At first, she thought she was imagining it—brushing off the occasional shivers running down her spine. But then came the messages.

Her phone buzzed, and she hesitated before looking.

Unknown Number: Didn’t I tell you to go home early, Alina?

Her breath hitched.

Her eyes darted around the empty office space, her heart pounding.

She typed back with trembling fingers.

Alina: Who is this?

Three dots appeared… then disappeared. Silence.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe. Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe it was a prank.

But deep down, she knew it wasn’t.

Someone was watching her.

And they were closer than she realized.

---

Meet Aiden Knight – The Cold Protector

A heavy knock on the glass door made her jump.

Alina turned sharply, her eyes widening.

There he was.

Aiden Knight.

Her boss. CEO of Knight Enterprises. The man everyone feared.

He stood in the doorway, dressed in a crisp black suit, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room with unreadable intensity. His sharp jawline and broad shoulders only added to his aura of dominance.

Aiden wasn’t just powerful. He was untouchable.

But right now, his gaze was fixed only on her.

“What the hell are you still doing here?” His deep, authoritative voice sent a shiver down her spine.

Alina swallowed. “I—I had work.”

He exhaled sharply, his jaw clenching. “At this hour?”

She hesitated. How could she tell him she was afraid to go home? That someone was watching her, following her, invading her life?

Aiden’s eyes darkened as he stepped closer.

“Go home, Alina,” he said, voice low. “Now.”

She nodded quickly, gathering her things.

As she reached for her phone, another message appeared.

Unknown Number: You left just in time. He almost saw me.

Alina felt the world tilt beneath her.

Somewhere in the dark, someone was watching. Waiting. And he was closer than she thought.

---

Meet Kai Reynolds – The Unseen Threat

Across the street, leaning against his black Maserati, Kai Reynolds watched her.

His silver hair glowed under the city lights, and his blood-red eyes gleamed with something dangerous… obsessive.

She looked so innocent. So unaware. So… his.

He ran his thumb over his phone screen, smirking at the message he had just sent her.

She was scared.

Good.

Kai had been watching Alina for months. She belonged to him—she just didn’t know it yet.

He had been patient. Leaving her small hints, warnings, signs of his presence.

But now, Aiden Knight was getting too close.

Kai’s smirk faded. His fingers twitched.

Aiden thought he could protect her? How amusing.

Because in the end, Alina would always be his.

---

Meet Ava Mitchell – The Best Friend & Voice of Reason

The next morning, Alina sat at a café, stirring her coffee absentmindedly.

"Earth to Alina?"

Alina snapped out of her daze as Ava Mitchell, her best friend, waved a hand in front of her face.

Ava was bold, sharp, and fiercely protective. Unlike Alina, she never hesitated to speak her mind.

"You look like you’ve seen a ghost," Ava said, sipping her latte.

"Maybe I have…" Alina muttered, thinking about the texts.

Ava narrowed her eyes. "Don’t tell me you’re still getting those creepy messages?"

Alina hesitated. Then, reluctantly, she nodded.

Ava slammed her cup down. "That’s it. We’re going to the police."

Alina panicked. "No! It’s just… I don’t want to make a big deal out of nothing."

Ava groaned. "Alina, this is NOT nothing. You have a stalker."

Alina bit her lip. Deep down, she knew Ava was right.

But what terrified her the most was the feeling that her stalker wasn’t just watching.

He was getting closer.

---

Meet Daniel Carter – The Right-Hand Man

Inside Knight Enterprises, a man leaned against Aiden’s desk, arms crossed.

Daniel Carter—Aiden’s best friend and right-hand man—was the only person who dared to challenge him.

"You know," Daniel smirked, "this is the first time I’ve seen you actually care about an employee."

Aiden didn’t look up from his work. "Don’t start."

Daniel chuckled. "I’m just saying, you’re getting… protective over a woman."

Aiden’s grip on his pen tightened. "She’s in danger."

Daniel raised a brow. "From whom?"

Aiden finally looked up, his blue eyes darkening. "Someone who won’t stop until he has her."

Daniel’s smirk vanished. "Then we have a problem."

A big one.

---

The Stalker Leaves His Mark

That night, Alina returned home, exhausted.

She turned on the lights and gasped.

On her bed was a single black rose.

A note lay beside it. Her hands trembled as she picked it up.

"You think he can protect you? Sweetheart, I’ve been watching you long before he even knew you existed. You're mine. And I’ll prove it soon."

The blood drained from Alina’s face.

Somewhere in the dark, Kai Reynolds smirked.

Game on.

---

To Be Continued…

---

The night was heavy with silence, yet Alina's heart pounded like a war drum.

She stood frozen in her apartment, eyes locked on the black rose lying on her bed. The petals were soft, dark, and dangerously inviting. But it was the note beside it that made her blood run cold.

"You think he can protect you? Sweetheart, I’ve been watching you long before he even knew you existed. You're mine. And I’ll prove it soon."

Her hands trembled as she clutched the note.

This wasn’t just stalking anymore. It was a warning. A challenge.

Her stomach twisted in fear. How had someone broken into her home without her knowing? How close had they been?

A sharp knock at the door sent her heart into her throat. She jumped, nearly dropping the note.

Taking a shaky breath, she forced herself to step forward and peek through the peephole.

A pair of piercing blue eyes stared back at her.

Aiden Knight.

---

"Open the door, Alina." His deep, commanding voice left no room for refusal.

She hesitated, her pulse hammering against her ribs. What was he doing here? How did he even know where she lived?

Another knock. Sharper this time. "Now."

With trembling fingers, she unlocked the door.

Aiden stepped inside, his towering frame nearly swallowing the space. His gaze scanned the room like a hawk, sharp and calculating. When his eyes landed on the black rose and note, his expression turned deadly.

"Did he come inside?" His voice was dangerously low.

Alina swallowed. "I… I don’t know."

Aiden’s jaw clenched. He picked up the note, reading the words carefully. Then, he turned to her, his gaze burning with something unreadable.

"You should’ve told me sooner," he said, voice clipped.

Alina crossed her arms, frustration mixing with fear. "Why would I? It’s not like you care—"

He stepped closer, forcing her to tilt her head up. "Don’t assume what I do and don’t care about."

For a brief moment, silence stretched between them. His eyes, usually cold and emotionless, held something possessive. Protective.

"Pack your things," he finally said.

Her eyes widened. "What? Why?"

"You’re coming with me."

Alina took a step back, shaking her head. "No, I can’t—"

Aiden’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Do you really think he’ll stop, Alina?"

A chill ran down her spine.

"I don’t need your protection," she tried again.

He smirked, but there was no humor in his eyes. "That’s cute." Then his expression darkened. "But you don’t have a choice."

And just like that, her life was no longer her own.

---

Across the street, a black car sat parked beneath the dim glow of a streetlight. Inside, Kai Reynolds leaned back in the driver’s seat, watching the scene unfold.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he saw Aiden Knight inside her apartment.

That bastard.

Aiden thought he could protect her? That he could take her away?

Kai let out a low chuckle. How naïve.

Alina was his.

And Aiden was making the biggest mistake of his life by interfering.

Reaching for his phone, Kai dialed a number. The call was answered immediately.

"Do it," Kai ordered. "I want her to understand that no one—not even Aiden Knight—can keep her from me."

Then, as he watched Aiden lead Alina out of the apartment, a dark smirk curved his lips.

The game had begun.

---

Ava Mitchell – The Best Friend Who Knows Too Much

The next morning, Alina sat across from Ava Mitchell in a quiet café, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee.

"You did what?" Ava nearly choked on her drink.

Alina sighed. "I moved into Aiden’s penthouse."

Ava blinked. "Girl, I was worried about the stalker, but now I’m more worried about you living under the same roof as Aiden freaking Knight!"

Alina groaned, rubbing her temples. "It’s not like I had a choice."

Ava smirked. "Sure, sure. And you totally hate the fact that he’s stupidly hot, rich, and obsessed with protecting you."

"Ava!"

Her best friend laughed. "Look, just be careful. Kai is dangerous, but Aiden? He’s a whole different kind of danger."

Alina frowned. "What do you mean?"

Ava leaned in. "Aiden Knight doesn’t get involved with women. Ever. If he’s protecting you, it’s not just business." She paused, lowering her voice. "It’s personal."

Alina’s heart skipped a beat.

Was Ava right?

---

The moment Alina stepped into Aiden’s penthouse, she realized something.

This was not just a temporary arrangement.

The space was vast and luxurious, yet everything about it screamed cold. Empty. Untouched.

"Your room is down the hall," Aiden’s deep voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She turned to face him, suddenly feeling too aware of how close he stood.

"You don’t have to do this," she whispered.

Aiden’s jaw ticked. "Go rest, Alina."

She hesitated. "Thank you."

His gaze softened—just for a second—before he turned away.

As she walked to her room, Alina had a strange feeling.

This was only the beginning.

---

Later that night, while Aiden was in his study, Alina decided to take a shower.

She stepped into the steaming water, letting the warmth relax her tense muscles.

But as she reached for her towel, something caught her eye.

A message was written on the fogged-up mirror.

Her breath hitched.

"You look beautiful when you sleep."

Her blood turned to ice.

Someone had been in here.

Kai was inside the penthouse.

And that meant…

Nowhere was safe.

---

To Be Continued…

The message on the mirror wasn’t her imagination. The fogged-up glass still carried the chilling words, taunting her.

"You look beautiful when you sleep."

Alina’s breath hitched. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the towel around her body, her damp hair sticking to her back. Someone had been inside the bathroom. Inside Aiden’s penthouse. Watching her.

Her heart pounded violently. Every cell in her body screamed at her to run, but her legs refused to move. The warm steam clung to her skin, but she felt ice-cold.

The bathroom light flickered once. Twice. Then, without warning—complete darkness.

A strangled gasp escaped her lips. She wasn’t alone. She could feel it. A presence. A weight in the air. The faintest shift, like someone breathing just behind her.

And then—a whisper.

"You can’t run from me, sweetheart."

Her body jerked as if electrocuted. The darkness pressed in from all sides. A shiver crawled down her spine, the hair on her arms standing on end. She forced herself to move, her hands fumbling blindly for the door. She yanked it open and ran.

Her bare feet slapped against the cold marble floor as she sprinted down the hallway. "Aiden!" Her voice came out strangled, desperate.

The moment she reached the living room, Aiden was there. His sharp blue eyes locked onto her with a mix of concern and danger. His entire posture went rigid when he saw the sheer panic on her face.

"What happened?" His voice was low, calm—too calm. The kind of calm that came before a storm.

Alina struggled to speak, her body still shaking. "H-He was here. Kai. He left a message. On the mirror."

Aiden’s eyes darkened instantly. Without another word, he stormed towards the bathroom, his movements controlled but lethal.

Alina followed him, her pulse hammering.

The lights flickered back on the moment he stepped inside. The steam had cleared.

And the mirror?

Completely clean.

No message. No proof. Nothing.

Alina’s stomach twisted violently. "I swear it was there, Aiden. I—"

Aiden’s jaw clenched. "Did you see him?"

"No, but I heard him," she whispered.

Aiden’s lips pressed into a thin line. His fingers curled into fists as he pulled out his phone. "I want security footage from the last hour. Now," he snapped at whoever was on the other end.

Alina stood frozen, a horrible realization sinking in.

Kai had been inside Aiden’s penthouse. Inside her bathroom. And yet, there was no sign of forced entry.

Which meant... he had access.

And worse?

He was toying with them.

Aiden ended the call and turned to her. "You're not leaving this penthouse alone. Not now. Not ever."

She swallowed hard. "Aiden, what does he want from me?"

His expression darkened. "Everything."

---

Across the city, in a dimly lit penthouse, Kai Reynolds leaned back in his chair, watching Alina through his private security feed.

The look of fear on her face made him smile. The way she clung to Aiden for safety—pathetic.

Did she really think Aiden could protect her? That this game was over?

He let out a slow breath, his fingers lazily tapping against the desk. "Not yet, sweetheart," he murmured to himself.

His phone buzzed. He answered without taking his eyes off the screen.

A deep voice spoke on the other end. "The car is ready. Just say the word."

Kai’s lips curled into a slow, predatory smirk.

"Do it."

He ended the call and watched as Aiden held Alina close, whispering reassurances in her ear. It was almost amusing.

Almost.

Because soon, Aiden wouldn’t be whispering reassurances.

He’d be screaming her name.

---

Two hours later, Aiden’s phone buzzed. He frowned at the unknown number before opening the message.

An image.

Alina’s car, parked outside, looking completely normal. Except—the brakes had been cut.

Aiden’s blood ran cold.

And then, another text.

"Tick, tock. Let’s see if you can save her in time."

Before he could react, Alina walked into the living room, holding her car keys.

"I need to go to work," she said casually.

Aiden’s heart nearly stopped.

No.

He moved instantly, snatching the keys from her hand.

"You’re not going anywhere," he said firmly.

Alina frowned. "Aiden, I have to—"

His grip tightened on the keys. "Someone tampered with your car, Alina."

Her face paled. "What?"

"If you had gotten in, you wouldn’t have made it to work alive."

Alina’s hands shook slightly. She looked at Aiden, searching his face for any sign that this was some kind of mistake. But his expression was unreadable—cold, furious, and terrifyingly serious.

Aiden took a slow, controlled breath, but his knuckles were white as he gripped the keys. Kai had crossed the line.

And now?

Aiden was done playing games.

That night, while Alina slept, Aiden stood near the window, staring into the city. His mind raced through every possible counterattack. He had underestimated Kai’s obsession, and that mistake could’ve cost Alina her life.

It wouldn’t happen again.

Because now, this wasn’t just a rivalry.

This was war.