Love & Loyalty: A Romance Noir.

Chapter 1: Shadows in the Night

The familiar click-clack of her heels echoed against the dimly lit street as Esme hurried home, her senses on high alert. She couldn't shake off the feeling of being followed, a nagging sensation that crawled beneath her skin like a thousand tiny insects. Glancing over her shoulder, she caught glimpses of shadowy figures lurking in the darkness, their presence ominous and unsettling.

Meanwhile, back at home, Esme's father paced anxiously, his worry etched deeply into the lines of his face. With each passing minute, his concern grew, his thoughts consumed by the absence of his daughter. He knew all too well the dangers that lurked in the shadows of the city, and the thought of Esme facing them alone filled him with dread.

Finally, the door swung open, and Esme stepped inside, her relief palpable. Before she could even utter a word, her father's stern voice cut through the air, his worry spilling out in a torrent of words. But Esme's attention was elsewhere, her mind already preoccupied with the new case file she clutched tightly in her hand.

"I had to wait back, Dad," she explained, her voice tinged with excitement. "This case could be big, really big. I might finally get the break I've been waiting for."

But her father's concern only deepened, his focus unwaveringly fixed on her safety. Abruptly, he spoke of unknown dangers, of sinister forces that threatened to tear her away from him. Confusion clouded Esme's mind as she struggled to understand, her questions met with silence and evasion.

Then, without warning, the doorbell rang, shattering the tense silence that hung in the air. Her father's instructions were clear - hide - and Esme obeyed, retreating to the safety of the kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest.

Peeking out from behind the doorway, Esme watched in horror as a man in a black suit entered their home, a gun glinting menacingly in his hand. Her father's pleas fell on deaf ears as the man pushed him further into the room, his threats hanging heavy in the air.

Unable to stand idly by, Esme stepped forward, her voice trembling with defiance. But the man only smirked, his gaze cold and calculating. And then, in an instant, everything changed.

Two more men appeared, their presence looming like dark shadows against the flickering light. Esme fought against their grip, her struggles futile as they dragged her away, her father's cries echoing in her ears.

As they disappeared into the night, the truth dawned on Esme with chilling clarity. Her father's debts had finally caught up with them, and now, she was paying the price.