Naia paced back and forth in her room, each step mirroring the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind. The cryptic conversation she had eavesdropped on replayed incessantly, and the gravity of the situation began to sink in. Whatever Easton was involved in, it was dangerous, and now she was caught in the web, however unwittingly.

The night drew on, casting long shadows through the apartment. Easton and Hudson's murmured conversation continued in the study, emphasizing her isolation. The air felt thick with unresolved tension, and Naia knew she couldn't stay holed up in her room forever. She needed answers.

After what felt like hours but was perhaps only a few minutes, curiosity once again got the better of her. She cracked open her door and stepped out quietly, the soft carpet muffling her footsteps. Moving cautiously toward the study, she strained to catch any stray words.

"I can't risk it, Hudson. She's already seen too much," Easton's voice was low but resolute.

Hudson's reply was sharp. "Then what? You plan to keep an eye on her 24/7?"

"Something like that," Easton replied, a hint of frustration bleeding through.

Before Naia could lean in further, the study door swung open unexpectedly, and she was greeted by Easton’s intense gaze. His expression was unreadable, a mixture of frustration and something deeper—perhaps a flicker of concern.

"Naia," Easton said, voice tight, "we need to talk."

Hudson stood in the background, his eyes narrowed, assessing the situation. Easton stepped aside, gesturing for Naia to enter the study. Hesitant but resolute, she walked in, her gaze flicking between the two men.

The room was filled with an ominous silence, the weight of hidden secrets pressing in from every corner. Easton closed the door behind them, sealing off any chance of escape.

"What's going on, Easton?" Naia demanded, her voice trembling slightly. "What am I caught up in?"

Easton exchanged a glance with Hudson, who nodded slightly, as if giving some unspoken approval. Easton took a deep breath.

"Naia, there's more to my life than what you've seen. The folder you almost got into—it's part of something much bigger, something dangerous," Easton started, his tone more somber than she had ever heard before.

"Dangerous how?" she pressed, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Let's just say it involves people who aren't afraid to cross any lines to get what they want," Easton said, his gaze darkening. "Hudson and I, we're involved in trying to protect certain information—information that, if it falls into the wrong hands, could lead to devastating consequences."

Naia’s mind reeled with the implications. "What does that have to do with me?"

Easton stepped closer, the proximity sending a familiar shiver down her spine. "Because you unknowingly walked into this mess, you’re a potential target now. For your own safety, I need to keep you close. Very close."

The tension between them crackled, a mixture of fear and an undeniable attraction that neither could ignore. The room seemed to narrow, focusing solely on the space between them.

"Easton, are you saying I'm in danger?" Naia's voice was barely a whisper.

"Yes," he replied, the single word hanging in the air like a death knell. "And I can't let anything happen to you."

Hudson cleared his throat, breaking the intense moment. "Easton, we have more pressing issues. We need to plan our next steps."

Easton tore his gaze from Naia, nodding reluctantly. "Fine. But Naia stays here, where I can keep an eye on her."

Hudson nodded, though his eyes held a glimmer of doubt. "Just be careful, Easton. Mixing personal feelings with this kind of danger can lead to mistakes."

Easton's jaw clenched, ignoring Hudson's warning. He turned back to Naia, his expression softening ever so slightly. "We need to move you to a safer room. My bedroom. You'll be less accessible there."

Naia's eyes widened. "Your bedroom?"

He nodded. "It's the safest place in the apartment. Trust me."

Though her mind screamed against it, a part of her couldn't deny the strange comfort she felt in Easton’s presence, even amid the chaos. She followed him silently as he led her down the hallway, her emotions in turmoil.

The bedroom was spacious, with dark, masculine decor that mirrored Easton's stern exterior. He motioned for her to sit on the edge of the bed, and she complied, feeling somewhat out of place. Easton locked the door behind them, the click resounding in the silence.

"Easton," Naia started hesitantly, "why are you doing this? Protecting me, I mean."

Easton hesitated, his eyes dark with unspoken thoughts. "Let's just say I have my reasons."

He took a seat beside her, the bed dipping under their combined weight. The close proximity amplified their every breath, and Naia found herself acutely aware of his presence—his scent, his warmth, the tension coiling between them.

"You shouldn't have meddled, Naia," Easton murmured, his hand reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. The gesture was unexpectedly tender, sending a rush of warmth curling through her.

"Then tell me how to help," she whispered back, leaning into his touch.

Easton's hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. "Just stay close. Let me handle the rest."

Their eyes locked, the moment heavy with unspoken tension. Naia's pulse quickened, her body responding to the electric charge between them. She tilted her head slightly, closing the distance, her lips barely grazing his.

Easton’s breath hitched, and for a heartbeat, time seemed to suspend. But then he pulled back, his expression conflicted. "Naia, we can't."

Her heart sank, but she understood. The danger was real, and distractions could be deadly. "I know," she replied softly. "But it's hard to ignore."

Easton's eyes held hers, a promise of something deeper, yet restrained. "Just promise me you'll stay safe."

"I promise," Naia agreed, though the words felt hollow in the face of the growing threat.

They sat in suspenseful silence, their breaths mingling, their hearts beating in a rhythm only they could hear. But before either could speak again, a loud crash echoed from the living room, shattering the fragile calm.

Easton's expression hardened instantly, his protective instincts flaring. "Stay here. Lock the door."

He surged to his feet, moving swiftly toward the door. Naia's heart pounded with a mix of fear and helplessness as she watched him leave, the door clicking shut behind him.

Alone in the darkened room, Naia listened intently, every sound amplified by her heightened senses. She heard muffled voices, a scuffle, and then a chilling silence. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, her mind conjuring worst-case scenarios.

But then, the doorknob twisted, and Easton burst in, his expression grim. "We need to go. Now."

He grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet. "What happened?" Naia asked, panic threading her voice.

"No time to explain," Easton replied, urgency lacing his tone. "They're here."