The next morning, Elliot made an announcement with his characteristic confidence. "We’re going shopping."

Aeisha blinked at him, taken aback. "Shopping? For what?"

"You need clothes," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "You don’t have anything suitable to wear."

She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off. "If you refuse, I’ll just buy the entire mall for you."

The casual delivery of his outrageous threat left her stunned. "You can’t be serious," she stammered.

His smirk was smug. "Try me."

Reluctantly, she conceded, knowing there was no winning against his unyielding demeanor. "Fine. Let’s just go."

"That’s more like it," Elliot said, clearly satisfied.

An hour later, they were on their way to the mall. Aeisha couldn’t shake a feeling of unease as she noticed a car trailing them. "Elliot," she said softly, "someone’s following us."

Elliot glanced back briefly before meeting her gaze with an amused expression. "That’s just one of my bodyguards. Don’t worry."

His reassurance calmed her slightly, though the idea of bodyguards following her was still foreign and unsettling.

When they arrived at the upscale mall, Aeisha was awestruck by its sheer size and extravagance. Elliot led her through a series of luxury stores she had only ever seen in magazines. Her past life—filled with modest outings and watching others, like her sister Daisy, bask in luxury—felt worlds apart from this experience.

Inside one boutique, Aeisha’s eyes were drawn to a particular dress. It was simple yet elegant, a soft pastel spaghetti strap design perfect for any occasion. She hesitated before touching the fabric, unsure if it was even worth considering.

"You like it?" Elliot’s voice broke through her thoughts.

She nodded shyly, and he gave a single, decisive command. "Try it on."

While Aeisha disappeared into the fitting room, Lance and Ace arrived, their expressions sharp as always.

"We looked into her background," Lance began without preamble. "She’s clean—no ties to any of the other bosses or families."

Elliot gave a slight nod, his face unreadable. "Good. That’s one less concern."

Ace folded his arms, his tone more serious. "But we still need to figure out who leaked the details of the transaction a few days ago. That attack wasn’t random."

"Any suspects?" Elliot’s voice turned icy, his gaze narrowing.

"There are whispers about spies from the Cullen family," Ace answered. "It’s just speculation for now, but we’ll confirm soon."

Elliot’s expression hardened. "Find them and make sure they regret ever crossing me."

Both men nodded firmly. They were about to leave when the door to the fitting room opened.

Aeisha stepped out, and the room went silent.

Elliot, Lance, and Ace all turned to look at her. For a moment, none of them spoke, stunned by her transformation.

Feeling self-conscious under their stares, Aeisha smoothed the fabric of the dress nervously. "What? Is it that bad?"

Lance and Ace exchanged a brief glance, saying nothing, but Elliot’s expression softened slightly, his sharp features relaxing. "It’s perfect," he said simply, nodding in approval.

A small smile appeared on Aeisha’s lips at his compliment. "Thank you."

Elliot turned to the boutique staff. "We’ll take the dress."

The shopping continued, a whirlwind of high-end clothing and accessories. Elliot kept picking out outfits, each more extravagant than the last, while Aeisha struggled to keep up with the sheer volume of items.

"We’re buying too much," she said at one point, trying to stop him from selecting yet another dress.

"You need options," he replied, raising an eyebrow at her protest.

Sighing, she realized it was a losing battle.

Not content with just clothing, Elliot moved on to shoes, selecting multiple pairs without hesitation. By the time they were done, Aeisha felt as though they had purchased enough to fill an entire wardrobe.

"We’ve bought a lot already," she ventured as they walked toward another store. Hoping to distract him, she added, "Why don’t we get something for you instead?"

Elliot paused, considering her suggestion. "Fair enough," he said.

They entered a high-end menswear store specializing in suits. Elliot began browsing the racks, his movements measured and deliberate.

But as he inspected a particularly tailored jacket, his demeanor shifted. He stopped mid-step, his eyes narrowing as he glanced toward the entrance.

"What’s wrong?" Aeisha asked, following his gaze. All she saw were shoppers passing by, seemingly unaware of their presence.

Elliot didn’t answer immediately, his face unreadable. Instead, he turned to Ace, who was juggling several shopping bags.

Ace seemed to pick up on Elliot’s silent command. Without hesitation, he said, "I’ll check on something," and disappeared into the crowd.

Elliot’s expression softened when he looked back at Aeisha. "It’s nothing," he said smoothly. "Let’s find something for me."

Aeisha wanted to press him further, sensing his tension, but decided against it. Whatever was bothering him, it was clear he didn’t want to discuss it.

Elliot led Aeisha to a steakhouse in the mall, a place so luxurious it felt worlds away from anything she would have dared to enter alone. The soft lighting bathed the pristine tables in a golden glow, and Aeisha couldn’t help but gape at the opulence surrounding her.

Elliot noticed her reaction and smirked. “You’ll need to get used to this. Your lifestyle is going to change.”

Aeisha frowned, unsure how to respond. “There’s no point in getting used to it,” she said softly. “After a year, we’ll go our separate ways, and all of this will disappear.”

For a moment, his expression flickered, revealing something unspoken, but the moment passed as quickly as it came. He sighed but said nothing, signaling the waiter to take their order.

Elliot took charge, ordering for both of them, sparing Aeisha the challenge of navigating the complex menu. As they waited, he began asking her questions—simple ones at first.

“What’s your favorite food?” he asked, his tone casual.

“Pasta,” Aeisha replied immediately.

“And dessert?”

“Choux à la crème,” she said with a small smile.

“Interesting. Favorite color?”

“Pastel purple,” she answered.

He raised an eyebrow. “Pastel purple? Is that even a color?”

Aeisha laughed softly. “Of course it is! There are so many colors beyond the rainbow.”

Elliot nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “I see. And your favorite flower?”

“Tulips.”

He seemed to commit her answers to memory, his composed expression softening slightly.

When the food arrived, they ate in comfortable silence, but Aeisha couldn’t suppress her curiosity. “What about you? What’s your favorite food?”

Elliot’s answers were vague—“Whatever’s convenient” or “I don’t really have a preference.” His nonchalance left her more puzzled than before.

As they continued their meal, Elliot’s gaze shifted toward the entrance of the steakhouse. His brow furrowed slightly, and his jaw tightened, though his expression quickly returned to neutral.

“Is something wrong?” Aeisha asked, following his line of sight.

“It’s nothing,” he replied, his tone calm but distant. “Just eat.”

Though unconvinced, Aeisha chose not to press further. Unknown to her, Lance had already slipped away, silently investigating whatever—or whoever—had caught Elliot’s attention.

After dinner, Elliot drove them home. The quiet hum of the car and the stillness of the night seemed to ease Aeisha’s nerves, and she leaned back in her seat, allowing herself to relax.

The tranquility shattered in an instant.

Out of nowhere, another car rammed into theirs, jerking them violently to the side. Aeisha screamed in shock, clutching her seatbelt as her heart pounded in her chest.

The car skidded, but Elliot’s hands stayed firm on the wheel, quickly regaining control. “Duck down!” he commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative.

Terrified, Aeisha obeyed, crouching low as the deafening sound of gunfire erupted around them. Glass shattered, and metal groaned under the assault. Each jolt of the car sent fresh waves of panic coursing through her.

Through the chaos, she saw Elliot reach under his seat, pulling out a gun with practiced precision. Her eyes widened in disbelief as he rolled the window down just enough to return fire.

The sharp cracks of his weapon mingled with the cacophony outside, and Aeisha pressed her hands over her ears, trying to block out the terrifying noise. Despite the danger, Elliot remained calm and focused, his movements calculated and efficient.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the car screeched to a halt in an isolated area.

“Stay here. Don’t look. Don’t move,” Elliot ordered, his voice cold and firm.

Too shaken to argue, Aeisha nodded, huddling in her seat as he stepped out of the car. His tall, imposing figure disappeared into the darkness, the sound of gunfire resuming moments later.

Aeisha sat frozen, her breathing shallow and uneven. She prayed for the nightmare to end, her mind racing with questions. Who were these attackers? Why were they targeting Elliot?

After a tense few minutes, the chaos ceased, and silence blanketed the area.

“It’s safe now,” Elliot’s voice called out, breaking the oppressive stillness.

Aeisha hesitated before unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out of the car. Her legs wobbled beneath her as her eyes searched for him.

Elliot stood a few steps away, his figure illuminated by the dim light of a streetlamp. Without thinking, Aeisha ran to him, tears streaming down her face as fear and relief collided within her.

She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. “I was so scared,” she sobbed, her voice trembling.

Elliot hesitated briefly before wrapping an arm around her, his hold steady and reassuring. “You’re safe now,” he said quietly, his tone unusually gentle. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Elliot lay in the hospital bed, a fresh gauze wrapped around his torso and a hospital gown replacing his torn shirt. The sterile scent of the hospital clung to the air, the soft hum of the heart monitor the only sound in the room. Sitting beside him, Aeisha gently wiped his face with a damp towel, her hands trembling slightly as her mind replayed the events of the past few hours.

Earlier, after escaping the ambush, Aeisha had thrown her arms around Elliot, overwhelmed with relief. But when she saw the blood staining his shirt, panic had set in. "You’re hurt!" she had cried, tears streaming down her face. Her heart had ached at the thought of losing him.

“It’s just a graze,” Elliot had assured her, his voice as calm as ever, though she could see the strain in his eyes.

“Could be more than a graze!” she had protested, frantic to get him to the hospital. When Lance and Ace had arrived with backup, Aeisha had begged them to take him in. Elliot had resisted at first, but the fear in her eyes had finally made him relent with a reluctant sigh.

Now, he sat propped up in bed, the calm indifference still visible on his face, but Aeisha knew better.

“I’m fine now,” Elliot murmured, breaking the silence.

Aeisha let out a long, shaky sigh. “Good,” she replied, though her mind was still far from at ease. She looked down at her lap, her thoughts swirling. “Why is this happening to us?”

Elliot’s gaze lingered on the wall, a rare sigh escaping his lips. “It’s my fault,” he admitted.

Aeisha’s head shot up, her eyes wide with confusion. “Your fault? How is it your fault?”

Elliot hesitated before speaking, his gaze still fixed on the wall. “I have enemies around me. Those people who ambushed us—they were after me.” His voice was steady, but there was tension in his jaw, something she had never seen before.

The weight of his words hit Aeisha like a wave, leaving her momentarily speechless. Before she could respond, he turned to her, his eyes serious, as his usual composure returned. “If you want to leave, I’ll understand. This isn’t what you signed up for. I’ve put your life in danger.”

For the first time since she’d met him, Elliot appeared vulnerable. It startled her, but it also steadied something deep within her. She reached out and took his hand, her heart racing in her chest.

“I’m not leaving you,” she said firmly. “I don’t care how dangerous it is. I’ll stay.”

Elliot stared at her, his expression unreadable, before a soft snort escaped him. “Even if it’s dangerous?”

“Yes,” she replied without hesitation, smiling at him despite the gravity of their situation. “And I’ll protect you too.”

A rare smile tugged at Elliot’s lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m not!” Aeisha pouted, crossing her arms.

Elliot chuckled softly, the sound so rare it made her heart flutter. He reached out and patted her head gently. “Thank you, Aeisha,” he said, his voice quieter. “I promise, I’ll protect you no matter what.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I believe in you.”

As Aeisha stood to fetch his paperwork, Elliot stopped her with a quiet command. “Let Lance and the others handle it. You should stay here with me.”

“I can’t just sit around—”

“Stay,” he insisted, patting the empty space beside him on the bed.

Aeisha hesitated for a moment, glancing at the chair she had been sitting in. “I’m fine here.”

“If you don’t join me, I’ll leave the bed,” Elliot warned, raising an eyebrow with a hint of mischief.

Aeisha sighed in defeat and climbed into the bed, careful not to disturb his bandages. Within minutes, the exhaustion from the day’s events caught up to her, and her eyes grew heavy. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.

Elliot watched Aeisha as she slept, her breathing even and peaceful. Her face softened in sleep, and for a moment, his cold exterior melted. Something warm flickered in his eyes as he glanced at her, but the moment was short-lived when his phone buzzed.

He quietly called Lance and Ace into the room. The two men entered swiftly, their expressions serious.

“What’s the status?” Elliot asked, his tone all business.

Lance nodded. “We’ve captured a few of the attackers alive. They’re being interrogated now.”

Elliot’s voice was cold as he replied, “Good. I want to know who sent them.”

Ace stepped forward. “We’ve traced the attack back to the same person who tried to kill you a few days ago. Your uncle.”

Elliot’s lips curled into a smirk, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “My uncle still dares to make a move against me. How bold.”

“What’s the plan?” Lance asked.

Elliot’s gaze flickered to Aeisha, still asleep beside him. His expression hardened as he looked away. “Capture him. I’ll deal with him personally once I’m out of here.”

Both men nodded in agreement, their loyalty unwavering. “Understood,” they said in unison before leaving the room.

Elliot leaned back against the pillows, his mind already calculating his next moves. But as he looked at Aeisha, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. For now, she was safe. And for her, he would make sure it stayed that way