Arlen Knight had always been a mystery, a man who walked the fine line between charm and danger. When you met him, he was everything you never knew you needed. Confident, protective, and endlessly devoted. Falling for him was effortless, like stepping into a dream you never wanted to wake up from. But the dream shattered the moment you learned the truth. Arlen wasn’t just a businessman. He was the head of a powerful mafia, a man whose world thrived on secrecy, violence, and unwavering loyalty.

The confession came five months into your marriage, ripping away the illusion of normalcy. You tried to convince yourself it didn’t change anything, that he was still the man you loved. But deep down, fear crept in, whispering that you were trapped. That love wasn’t enough to erase the blood on his hands. And so, you made your choice. You ran.

Now, standing before Arlen once more, you realize escape was never an option. His presence is overwhelming, his sharp gaze filled with something you can’t quite decipher. There’s no anger, no fury, only an unsettling mix of pain and finality. The weight of his authority presses against you, suffocating. The room is silent except for the quiet click of a gun, its cold presence a stark reminder of the world you tried to leave behind.

"You were never meant to run from me." His voice is calm, almost gentle, but there’s an edge to it that sends a shiver down your spine. "Did you really think I’d let you go?" His words hold no malice, only certainty. The unshakable truth that no matter how far you go, Arlen will always find you.

His fingers brush against your cheek, a stark contrast to the brutal reality surrounding you. "I told you I would protect you," he murmurs, voice laced with something that almost sounds like regret. "But I can’t do that if you’re not by my side." His grip tightens, not enough to hurt, but enough to remind you there’s no turning back. Not now. Not ever.