Chapter 4 – The Car Ride from Hell
The black sedan felt more like a spaceship than a car. Everything inside smelled like leather and power. Clara sat stiffly, glancing at the man beside her, who was focused on his phone.
"So," she said finally. "You just… kidnap people often, or am I special?"
Ethan didn't look up. "You got in the car willingly."
"Because your security guard looked like he wrestles bears."
Silence.
She sighed, turning to the window. "This is kidnapping-adjacent at best."
He finally spoke. "You talk too much."
"And you glower too much."
For a heartbeat, she thought she saw his lips twitch. Almost a smile. Almost.
They drove through the city, neon lights flashing across his sharp profile. She sneaked glances at him, wondering how someone could look that perfect and that miserable at the same time.
Finally, she asked softly, "Do you actually care about Mia, or is this just about your company?"
He paused. "She was… useful."
Clara rolled her eyes. "Wow. You should write greeting cards."
He turned his head, eyes cold. "Feelings are distractions, Miss Evans."
She met his gaze steadily. "Maybe that's why you look like you haven't laughed since 1999."
His expression didn't change, but for a second, something flickered in his eyes — a crack, quickly hidden.
As the car pulled up to an unfamiliar building, she exhaled slowly.
Whatever this was, it wasn't over.
And somehow, she knew — she was in far deeper than she ever meant to be.