Crimson Ties

Chapter Four: Threads of Control

Lila left the office with her heart pounding in her chest, Nico’s words echoing in her mind: “You were never just a bystander.” The weight of his warning settled deep in her bones, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was only the beginning. The game had already begun, and whether she liked it or not, she was now a player. 

As she slipped back into the party, the dazzling lights and champagne felt suffocating, like a mask hiding something far more sinister beneath. Faces blurred as the weight of Nico’s ledger sat heavy in her thoughts. Why was her name there? And what did Victor Kane’s death have to do with any of this?

Just then, a low voice murmured beside her. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” 

Lila turned sharply to find a woman standing beside her—tall, elegant, with raven-black hair falling in waves over her shoulders. She wore a crimson dress that clung to her like silk, a smirk dancing at the corner of her red lips. 

“Don’t worry,” the woman continued smoothly, sipping from her glass. “Everyone here feels that way at some point.” 

“Who are you?” Lila asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the disquiet stirring in her chest. 

The woman gave her an amused glance. “Elena Rossi. Let me guess—you’ve only recently figured out what Nico is, haven’t you?” 

Lila tensed. “What do you mean?” 

Elena’s dark eyes sparkled, but there was no humor in them—only sharpness. “He collects people,” she said softly, leaning closer so only Lila could hear. “Like paintings, like artifacts. He brings them into his world, knowing they’ll never leave the same.” 

Lila’s heart skipped a beat. There was something unnervingly familiar about Elena’s words, as if they reflected the very fear she had tried to bury since meeting Nico. 

Before she could respond, Elena continued. “I used to be where you are. One day, you’ll realize this game was never about winning. It’s about control. And once Nico has it...” She trailed off, her smile curving into something closer to pity. “Well, let’s just say you won’t be walking away.” 

Lila’s pulse quickened, but before she could ask more, a shadow fell over them. 

“Elena,” Nico’s voice was smooth but edged with warning. “Is there a reason you’re entertaining my guest?” 

Elena’s smirk widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just offering some friendly advice.” She turned to Lila, her gaze lingering for a second too long. “Be careful with him, darling. He’s good at making you think you have choices.” 

With that, she drifted away, the sharp scent of jasmine following in her wake. 

Lila exhaled slowly, realizing only then how tightly she’d been gripping her glass. She turned toward Nico, her thoughts racing. “Who is she?” 

“An old friend,” Nico replied, his voice smooth and unreadable. “Though I wouldn’t take everything she says to heart. Elena likes to stir the pot.” 

Lila’s eyes narrowed. “And is she right? Do you collect people, Nico?” 

He gave her a slow, deliberate smile. “Only the ones worth keeping.” 

The words sent a shiver down her spine—not from fear, but from the dangerous thrill that always accompanied him. There was something intoxicating about Nico, something that made every warning feel like a dare. 

“Come with me,” Nico said suddenly, extending his hand. 

For a moment, Lila hesitated. But then, against all reason, she placed her hand in his. 

He led her away from the glittering crowd and down a narrow staircase hidden behind an ornate tapestry. The walls grew darker as they descended, and the faint hum of the party above faded into silence. 

“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice a whisper in the quiet. 

“To show you something,” Nico replied, his grip firm but not forceful. “Something most people never see.” 

They reached the bottom of the stairs, and Nico pushed open a heavy wooden door. The room beyond was dimly lit, and at first, Lila struggled to make sense of what she was seeing. 

Then it hit her. 

The walls were lined with artifacts—ancient weapons, rare manuscripts, and priceless paintings. But in the center of the room stood a table covered in files, photographs, and maps. Strings connected different locations and faces like a web of conspiracy, and at the heart of it all was a single name circled in red: Victor Kane.

Lila’s breath caught in her throat. “What is this?” 

Nico’s expression was unreadable as he stood beside her. “This is the truth, Lila. Victor Kane wasn’t just a businessman. He was involved in things—things that were going to destroy everything I’ve built.” 

“And you... killed him?” The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but she had to know. 

Nico’s gaze darkened. “He was a threat. And in my world, threats are dealt with.” 

Lila swallowed hard, the gravity of his words sinking in. “Why is my name on that ledger, Nico? What do I have to do with any of this?” 

He turned to her, his expression softening for the first time. “Because Victor wasn’t just after me. He was after you, too.” 

The ground felt like it shifted beneath her feet. “What? Why?” 

Nico exhaled slowly, as if weighing how much to tell her. “Victor knew something about your past—something I’ve been trying to protect you from.” 

Lila’s head spun. “What are you talking about? I don’t have a past. I run a gallery. I—” 

“You have no idea who you really are, Lila.” Nico’s voice was low, dangerous. “But Victor did. And if you want to survive, you need to trust me.” 

Lila’s heart pounded as the pieces of the puzzle swirled chaotically in her mind. Secrets, lies, betrayals—and somehow, she was at the center of it all. 

Her whole life had been an illusion. And now, standing here in the shadows of Nico’s world, she had to decide: 

Would she keep searching for the truth, no matter where it led? Or would she let Nico pull her deeper into the abyss, knowing that once she fell, there would be no way back?

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