Special Chapter!!!

The same night....

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R Y A N ' S  P O V

I break into the apartment with ease, my fingers moving quickly over the keys as I hack into Ryza's security system. This is nothing new to me. If anything, it's a release, a distraction from the storm of emotions swirling in my chest.

But right now, the only thing that matters is getting to her.

I don't bother to be quiet as I move through the halls. I know she's here, I can feel it. The apartment is dark, but it's clear Ryza's been living in her own twisted world for too long.

The faint scent of perfume hangs in the air, and I can hear her faint breathing from the other room. My pulse quickens as I approach her bedroom door. I don't hesitate as I twist the knob and step inside.

There she is, sprawled out on the bed in nothing but pajamas. Her eyes widen in shock as I step closer, my presence overwhelming her as much as the fury boiling inside of me.

She's not scared, but I can see the tension in her eyes, the way she's calculating every move I make.

"How the hell did you get in here?" she snaps, trying to put on her usual bravado, but I'm not fooled. The moment she recognizes the danger in my eyes, her tone shifts just slightly.

She knows I'm not here for a friendly chat.

I take a step forward, not saying a word. My jaw clenches as I scan her, the way she's sprawled on her bed so casually, as if she doesn't give a damn about the mess she's caused.

She's crossed a line. I can feel the anger, the protectiveness, surging through me like a tidal wave.

"I don't think you know who you're dealing with," I say, my voice low, controlled. My fingers twitch at my sides, wanting to do more, but I need to remain focused. There's a reason I'm here, a reason I'm doing this.

And it's not because I want to-it's because I have to. For her.

I step closer to her, watching as she tries to hide her unease behind her icy exterior. "What do you want?" Her voice is a mixture of annoyance and curiosity, like she's trying to figure out how far I'll go.

She doesn't know the answer, but she's about to.

"You've crossed the wrong person," I growl, the words coming out through gritted teeth. "You know what I can do, don't you?"

I step closer still, my face inches from hers. The room is thick with tension, but I'm not backing down. Not now. Not after everything she's done. My anger rises with every passing second.

"You think you can play games with people like me? That you can hurt someone I care about and get away with it?" I take a deep breath, trying to control the rush of emotion threatening to spill over. I won't mention her name. I can't.

Not yet. But Ryza knows, I can tell by the flicker in her eyes.

Her expression hardens, and for a second, I wonder if she's going to try and make this a fight. But I can see the fear she's hiding behind her cocky smile.

"You don't scare me," she sneers, but I hear the slight tremor in her voice, the uncertainty that laces her words. "You're a little too late to be playing hero."

I laugh-short, bitter. "You've really lost your mind, haven't you?" I reach for her arm, gripping it just tightly enough to make her feel the warning in my hold. "You have no idea what I'm capable of. If you hurt her again, if you even think about it... I'll make sure you regret it. For the rest of your life."

Her eyes narrow, but I don't care. I let the words hang in the air, the weight of the threat sinking in. She knows I'm not joking.

She knows how far I'm willing to go to protect what's mine.

I lean in closer, my breath brushing against her ear, and for a brief moment, I think I see something-fear.

Real fear.

"Don't ever come near her again," I murmur, my voice as cold as steel. "And if you do... You'll regret it."

I let go of her arm, my fingers lingering for just a second longer than necessary. The anger still burns inside of me, but I'm in control now. As I turn and make my way to the door, I glance back.

Ryza says nothing, her eyes still locked on me, but I know she's gotten the message.

"Change your security guards by the way. They are useless," I snap and walk away.