{Enzo }
" I just need the watch and for you to be in the ' gaming' room tonight..."
He gulped quickly handing the watch with a quick ' yes sir ' and ran off.
I swiftly turned to Mia frowning.
" How do you know Leo ? "
She frowned slightly. " I already told you he spilt some water on me..." She said squirming slightly.
" You either tell me the truth now... Or you'll regret it when I find out..."
" Listen here pretty boy..." She said stepping closer. " If you think I'm lying..." She tiptoed pointing her finger at my jaw. " Then —"
Before she could finish I grabbed her wrist enough to silence her but not too much for it to hurt. I twisted her body in a way to perfectly position her in my arms.
" You'll do what princess?" I asked amused her face reddening with wach passing second.
Her pulse was racing under my grip, but so was her fire. Damn. Most people begged in this position. She still wanted to fight.
" L-let me go!" She scolded blushing hard.
" Princess..." I whispered in her ear making her squirm even more. "If you're lying, I'll do more than just hold your wrist and whisper in your ear..."
Carefully, she turned her head facing me. " Well, good thing nothing's going to happen... Now let me go and track Lili !" She pouted playfully.
*****
I leaned against the doorway, arms folded, watching her work. The watch glowed faintly as she linked it to the laptop, fingers moving quickly, weaving wires together like she'd done it a hundred times.
Her brows furrowed, lips pressed tight in focus, eyes reflecting the flickering codes on the screen. Not hesitation. Not fear. Precision.
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked finally, unable to stop the edge of curiosity in my tone.
She didn't even look up. "Tracking a signal."
My jaw ticked. "Signal?"
She tapped a key, the map lighting up with pulsing dots. "I gave Lili a device. Small, discreet. If she's in danger, I'll know exactly where she is."
I stared at the screen, then at her. Most people in this house couldn't even boot the damn computer without help. Yet here she was—wired into it like it was a natural extension of herself.
"You expect me to believe you built that?"
Her lips twitched, just barely. "You really underestimate me, pretty boy."
For a moment, I said nothing. Just watched her, the way her hands moved with certainty, the faint glow of determination on her face. Damn. She wasn't just surviving here—she was scheming. And against my better judgment, I felt something unfamiliar crawl up my spine. Admiration.
She suddenly turned her head towardse with a sigh. " Now we just have to hope she presses the button else... I need three hours at least..."
My face dropped. " Three hours? It's already been a day... "
She stood up her face softening. " She's going to be okay Enz... " She whispered.
" The device I gave her...it reacts to pain... So even if she gets a paper cut... We'll know... I'll help you okay?"
Tears stung my eyes. " I don't deserve someone like you..."
She walked closer, wiping a tear from my cheek. Tilting her head slowly, her gaze locked onto mine.
"Don't you dare say that again," she said firmly, her tone steady but her eyes burning into me. "You don't get to decide if you deserve me. If I'm here, it's because I chose to be. So stop crying like a coward and stand with me, Enzo. Lili needs us both."
" Now go freshen up and I'll work on getting the signal if she doesn't press the button." She whispered smiling.
I took a deep breath steadying myself before pulling her into a tight hug. Her whole body going tense. " Thank you...." I whispered breathing in her scent.
She smelled of cherries and something I couldn't quite put my finger on... Gunpowder? Maybe...
**********
~12 am ~
I walked in the room to find Mia eyes half closed sitting on my desk typing something on the computer.
" Why are you still up princess?" I asked smirking. " You look beat... You need rest..."
" I... Almost... Found... Her... I n—" she managed to say before her head lolled and she dozed off.
I smirked. " How long have you been on the computer?" I chuckled covering her with a blanket. " Well, I'll be gone... Don't escape princess..." I whispered stepping out.
" She can't even walk how would she even escapey high tech house?!" I chuckled, then, my face hardened. " Time for business..."
***********
The door bursted open as I stepped in my gaze landing on Leo fidgeting on the seat.
' Good, he knows not to play games with me...' I smiled cruelly.
" So Leo..." I started my hand caressing the table full of weapons he gulped.
" S-Sir... I-I didn't know she was with you.. I-I—"
I smirked. ' so he did do something...'
" Tell me Leo... How exactly do you know Mia..."
His eyes shone like there was still hope. " Ummm... Well Sir we uh I mean I was her tutor... Y-yes her tutor..." He whispered as if convincing himself.
My face hardened and my hand grabbed hold of a sharp knife. " Wrong answer..." I declared smirking while jabbing the knife into his upper thigh.
He winced not daring to make a sound as blood dripped down his leg straight to the floor.
" I'll ask one. More. Time. " I said fiercely. " How do you know her?!"
{ Leo }
I winced as boss jabbed the same knife in my other leg I could feel the blood oozing out but I dared not make a sound.
' last time... 'I shivered . ' Adrien... He just yelped once and...' My body shook violently a mix of old memories and the pain being inflicted on me I had hoped the tutor excuse would've worked I choked inwardly but boss was too smart... ' I should've known... I shouldn't have messed with this Mia...'
" B-Boss.. P-Please —"
Before I could finish he grabbed my neck and spoke his face dark.
" If you tell me... I'll consider letting you live..."
I gulped... ' should I tell him the truth? Or should I just let him kill me...'