The storm raged like a beast, tearing through the alleyways and drenching everything in its path.

Lily stumbled forward, her breath hitching as the rain pounded her like icy needles. The downpour blurred her vision, but she didn’t dare slow down. Her soaked sneakers slipped on the slick cobblestones, nearly sending her sprawling.

Behind her, the sound of heavy boots splashing through puddles filled her ears, accompanied by the angry shouts of her pursuers. Panic clawed at her chest. The alley seemed endless, a maze of shadows and towering walls. She darted left, heart hammering, desperate for any chance to escape.

“Get her!” one of the men barked, his voice slicing through the downpour.

Lily’s heart raced, each frantic beat echoing in her ears. Her lungs burned as she pushed herself harder, her legs aching with the effort.

The shadows of the alley seemed to close in around her, suffocating and endless. Behind her, the guttural shouts of her pursuers spurred her forward, their footsteps pounding closer with each passing second. The cold rain soaked through her clothes, plastering her hair to her face, but she didn’t dare stop to brush it away. Fear gripped her chest like a vice, her every thought consumed by the singular, desperate goal, escape. Her life depended on it now.

Suddenly, a sleek black car loomed into view at the end of the alley, parked beneath the dim glow of a flickering streetlight. Its tinted windows and ominous presence made her hesitate for half a second but the men behind her left her no choice. Without thinking, she bolted toward it.

Her soaked hands fumbled with the door handle before she managed to yank it open. She threw herself into the backseat, slamming the door behind her with a deafening thud. The leather seats were cold against her drenched clothes, but she didn’t care.

Her chest heaved as she tried to steady her breathing, the rain now muffled by the car’s walls. She didn’t even dare to look out the window.

Lucas Hernandez stepped out of the driver’s seat, umbrella in hand. The rain battered against it, a relentless pi pi pa that filled the air. He frowned, turning toward the backseat.

He could’ve sworn he’d heard the door open and close.

His sharp eyes scanned the alley, searching for movement. He saw nothing, only the silhouettes of five men frozen in place under the streetlight.

One of the men, the apparent leader, had gone pale. His legs trembled as recognition dawned.

“Mr. Hernandez’s car!” he gasped, his voice cracking.

The others recoiled as if burned, their weapons lowering immediately.

Lucas stepped forward, his cold gaze cutting through the rain like a blade.

The leader dropped to his knees, his hands shaking. “Boss, w-we didn’t know it was your car! We didn’t mean to offend you! Please forgive us!”

One by one, the others followed suit, falling to their knees in the muddy street, stammering apologies.

“Leave,” Lucas ordered, his voice low and deadly.

The men scrambled to their feet and vanished into the shadows without a second glance.

Still gripping the umbrella, Lucas turned back toward his car. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it.

Lily sat frozen in the darkened backseat, the rain cascading down the windows like liquid silver. Her heart was a drum in her chest, the adrenaline from the chase still coursing through her veins.

She didn’t dare move.

The soft click of the car door made her jump. Her eyes darted to the man who had just opened it. He was tall, with an air of authority that made the hair on her arms stand on end.

Lucas froze.

His sharp gaze swept over her, registering her drenched state and wide, frightened eyes. “Who are you?” he demanded, his tone laced with steel.

Lily’s voice caught in her throat. Before she could speak, the man climbed into the car, slamming the door shut behind him.

“What are you doing in my car?” he growled, his cold eyes locking onto hers.

“I-I…” Lily stammered, shrinking against the door.

Before she could explain, a wave of exhaustion washed over Lucas. His head tilted back against the seat, his breath slowing. The sharp scent of alcohol mixed with the faint leather of the car.

It hit her then. He was drunk.

Her relief was short-lived.

The man’s eyes snapped open, and in an instant, he was on her. His hand shot out, pinning her wrist against the doorframe. His strength was terrifying, and his movements, though unsteady, were calculated and precise.

“Uncle, please!” she cried in desperation, using the first word that came to mind.

Lucas froze. His lips curled into a smirk, though his eyes were still as cold as death.

“Uncle?” he repeated, his voice deep and smooth like dark honey. “Interesting choice!”

Lily’s skin prickled under his intense stare. Every instinct screamed for her to get out of the car, but his grip on her wrist tightened.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

“I… I didn’t mean to…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

His gaze flicked to the rain-soaked street outside, then back to her. His lips curved into a faint, almost predatory smile.

“Too late now,” he said. “You’re coming with me.”

Her eyes widened as the car rumbled to life, its engine growling like a beast awakened from slumber.

“Wait, what? Where are you taking me?” she demanded, panic rising in her voice.

He leaned closer, his voice a whisper against her ear. “To the hotel.”

Her blood ran cold.

Lily struggled against his grip, but he was unyielding. The car began to move, the storm outside swallowing them whole.

At that moment, as the rain hammered against the car windows and the low hum of the engine filled the silence, Lily realized she had traded one peril for another. This danger didn’t come with shouts or gleaming knives, it sat silent and still, yet suffocating.

The man beside her radiated an aura far more menacing than her pursuers. Trapped in his world, she felt the weight of an unspoken threat looming.

It was sitting right next to her.