One Hundred & Twenty One

One Hundred & Twenty One
Amara stirred from sleep, the morning light spilling softly through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the mansion. She blinked a few times, stretching, and then froze. The bed felt… empty. Her eyes darted around, heart skipping a beat.

“Darius?” she murmured, her voice small. No rustle of sheets, no warmth beside her.

Her gaze landed on him. He was standing by the large mirror across the room, adjusting his tie, impeccably dressed in a crisp suit, his posture taut and commanding as always. The early sunlight caught the sharp lines of his jaw and the gleam in his dark eyes.

“Morning love,” he said, turning slightly to give her a small, soft smile. It was the first time all morning she’d seen him relaxed, yet tensed.

Amara’s stomach fluttered. “You’re up early,” she said, brushing the sleep from her eyes and sitting up. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, the towel from the shower last night already discarded somewhere on the floor.

“I have things to take care of,” he said, his voice low and controlled. He stepped closer, the faint scent of his cologne filling the air. “You’ll be safe here. I’ve arranged for a bodyguard to keep an eye on you while I’m out. If you need anything…” He paused, his gaze locking with hers. “…call me. Any time.”

Amara nodded, a mixture of relief and longing flooding her chest. “Okay.” Her lips twitched into a small smile. “I just… I hate being left alone.”

He softened just enough, brushing a finger lightly along her cheek. “I know,” he murmured. “But I’ll be back before you even know it. You’ll be fine.”

She wanted to argue, wanted to tell him she didn’t need a bodyguard, that she could handle herself…but the weight of the past few days, the constant threat of her father, of Matteo, made her shrink back. She nodded again, letting him speak without interruption.

Darius reached over, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll be back. Stay in the house. Don’t go anywhere. You understand?”

“Yeah,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Satisfied, he straightened, glancing once more in the mirror to smooth the line of his jacket. Then, with one last glance at her, he headed for the door.

Amara watched him go, her stomach twisting with a mix of anxiety and desire. She missed him already, and she hadn’t even left the room. Her fingers traced the space where his hand had brushed hers, and she let out a soft sigh.

“Damn it,” she muttered to herself. “I hate how much I miss him the second he leaves.”

She leaned back against the pillows, letting her mind wander to the nights in his arms, the way he claimed her, the way he protected her. A small, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips. She was safe for now, but she knew, deep down, danger wasn’t far behind..and with Darius out handling it, all she could do was wait and hope she’d see him again soon.

The mansion felt too quiet after Darius left.

Amara wandered through the vast rooms slowly, barefoot against the cool marble floors, trying to shake the uneasy feeling settling in her chest. The place was beautiful… wide windows facing the sea, soft curtains moving with the breeze, expensive art she barely noticed..but without him, it felt hollow.

A bodyguard stood discreetly near the hallway entrance. Tall. Silent. Professional.

She hated that she needed one.

She tried to distract herself. Made coffee she barely drank. Sat on the couch and stared out at the ocean. Walked into the kitchen, then back out again. Her mind kept drifting back to Darius…his voice that morning, the way his eyes lingered on her like he was memorizing her face before leaving.

I’ll be back before you know it.

She hoped that was true.

Hours passed slowly. The sun climbed higher, light flooding the living room, but the tightness in her chest didn’t ease. She curled up on one of the sofas, hugging a cushion, when her phone suddenly buzzed in her hand.

She frowned.

Unknown Number.

Her pulse ticked faster as she opened the message.

“You think you’re all grown now… I’m going to teach you a lesson for being naughty.”

Her breath caught.

The words felt cold. Personal..

Amara sat up straight, her fingers tightening around the phone. Her first instinct was denial… wrong number, prank, nothing.. but deep down, she knew better. The message crawled under her skin, bringing with it a familiar sense of fear she hated.

Her thumb hovered over the screen.

Another buzz.

“Running away doesn’t make you brave.

It makes you careless.You stupid child.”

Her heart began to pound.

She stood abruptly, pacing the room, the ocean view suddenly meaningless. Her thoughts raced.. Who ? It can’t be how did he….

Her father.

m.

Her hands trembled as she typed, then deleted, then typed again… before stopping herself. Responding felt dangerous. Like stepping into a trap.

She glanced toward the hallway where the bodyguard stood. The presence was reassuring… but not enough.

Her phone buzzed again.

“Enjoy your freedom while it lasts.”

That did it.

Amara’s throat tightened, fear blooming sharp and hot behind her eyes. She didn’t think anymore. She hit the call button on Darius’s contact.

It rang once.

Twice.

She hugged the phone to her ear, pacing, her voice shaking when he finally answered.

“Sweetheart?” His tone changed instantly. Alert. Sharp. “What’s wrong?”

“I.. I got a message,” she said, swallowing hard. “From an unknown number. It feels like… like him. Like my dad.”

Silence on the line. Heavy. Dangerous.

“What did it say?” Darius asked, his voice low, controlled in a way that told her he was already angry.

She read it to him, every word making her stomach twist again.

When she finished, his response came fast and firm.

“Listen to me,” he said. “You did the right thing calling. Do not reply. Do not go outside. Stay inside the main living area. I’m calling Colin and tightening security right now.”

“Darius,” she whispered, fear breaking through. “What if..”

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he cut in, his voice hard with promise. “Not today. Not ever.”

Her chest loosened just a little.

“I’m on my way back,” he added. “Until then, stay where the bodyguard can see you. Keep your phone on you at all times.”

“Okay,” she said softly.

The call ended, but his words stayed with her.

Amara sank back onto the couch, staring at the phone in her lap, the screen dark now… but the threat still glowing in her mind.

The war she’d been dragged into wasn’t distant anymore.

It was knocking.

And this time, it knew exactly where she was.