CIARA

Maggie's eyes narrowed as she took in our dishevelled state-mud-caked shoes, rain-soaked clothes, and the undeniable scent of sex clinging to us like a second skin. I instinctively stepped back, crossing my arms over my chest as if that could hide the evidence of our encounter.

"Well, isn't this cosy?" Maggie's voice dripped with venom as she smoothed her designer dress, looking utterly out of place in the chaos we'd created. "Matthew darling, you've been playing in the rain without me. Trust you had fun? Hello Ciara"

"Maggie, what are you doing here?" Mathew's voice was tight, and I could see the muscle working in his jaw.

She laughed-a cold, calculated sound that sent shivers down my spine. "I came to check on you after the storm but it seems I interrupted something... intimate." Her gaze flickered to me as she walked towards me "You're soaked darling should I be concerned?"

"Watch your mouth," Mathew warned, stepping between us. "Ciara's not-"

"She's exactly what she looks like," Maggie interrupted, circling us slowly. "The orphaned little rich girl who thinks she can squish her way into our relationship. Do you really think he'd choose you over me?" She stopped before me, her face inches from mine. "If there's anything between you two, he'd use you for his amusement, Ciara. Nothing more."

I wanted to slap her, but Carlista's footsteps approaching from the hallway stopped me.

"Maggie! What a surprise!" Carlista's voice was falsely cheerful as she entered the room. "I didn't know you were stopping by."

Maggie's expression transformed instantly into one of sweet innocence. "Just checking on my fiancé after that dreadful storm." She looped her arm through Mathew's, her nails digging into his bicep. "We were just having a little chat with your... friend."

Carlista's eyes widened slightly as she took in the scene, but she recovered quickly. "Ciara was a bit down when she came over but she decided to work in the garden and got caught in the rain."

"Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" Maggie's laugh was sharp as glass. "Well, I should be going. Matthew, we need to discuss our honeymoon arrangements." She kissed his cheek deliberately, her eyes never leaving mine. "Try not to get muddy again without me."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving silence thick enough to choke on.

"I'm going to kill her," Carlista muttered, turning to face us fully. "What the hell was that about?"

Mathew ran a hand through his wet hair. "She's just being Maggie."

"No, she was a mean bitch who was unnecessarily disrespectful for no reason at all."

Carlista's gaze shifted between us. " I'm sorry this happened Ciara but do I need to be concerned girl?"

"Carlista, absolutely not-"

"Don't you dare lie to me," she snapped, pointing a finger at Mathew. "I don't know what's happened but keep your fiancées evil eye off my best friend."

"Yes ma'am." Mathew chuckled "You're so protective, won't you also protect me?"

I felt tears pricking the corners of my eyes and turned away. "I need to have a bath and change my clothing, please excuse me."

Carlista approached me, her expression softening. "Ciara, I'm sorry. I had no idea this was going on." She hugged me tightly. "I know my brother has been an absolute nightmare to you.'

I pulled back, wiping my eyes. "I'm fine Carlista thank you."

I walked away and moved to my room then into the bathroom and soaked in a hot bath when I felt his presence before he even spoke "I love you Ciara, you know I do."

"Then why her?" I demanded, my voice cracking. "Why propose to her if you love me?"

"For the investigation," he said quietly. "Her family's involved in my brother's death. I needed to get close to them."

I scoffed. "Then investigate all you want but leave me out of your damned mess."

"I'd solve it soon babe. I swear I will."

The door handle rattled, making me jump.

I tried to stand but Mathew took my hand. "We need to talk about the baby, Ciara. And our future."

I shook my head. "There is no our future, Mathew. Not like this."

I pushed him away and wore my robe as I moved outside the door and found Carlista waiting with a package "This came in for you Ciara."

I took it, my hands trembling as I tore it open. Inside was a photo of me, obviously pregnant, walking outside the university. Below it, typed words chilled me to the bone:

We know about the baby. And we know it's not the only secret you're keeping. Come alone to the old warehouse at Docklands tomorrow at noon if you want to protect what's yours. I thanked Carlista and quickly walked back into the room.

Mathew peered over my shoulder. "What is it?"

I folded the letter quickly. "Nothing important."

His eyes narrowed. "Ciara, don't lie to me. Not now."

"Like you haven't been lying to me?" I snapped back. "I need to go home."

I didn't wait for a response, grabbing my bag and heading for the door, my heart racing with fear I hadn't felt since the night I learned my parents were gone. Someone knew about the baby and they weren't afraid to use it against me.

The door to the room opened after a while and I almost screamed as Carlista eyed me suspiciously "Why are you so jumpy Ciara?" I exhaled as I tried calming my unsteady heart. "I'm fine....I was just lost in thought."

She nodded. "Get dressed babe. Matthew has a big fight tonight, let's go watch."

I chuckled "You don't even like watching him fight Carlista so why are we even going there?"

She shrugged nonchalantly as she moved to the wardrobe and brought out a short black micro mini shirt and tank top with black boots replicating exactly what she wore. "This idiot has been making all sorts of idle noise and I'd just take so much pleasure in Matthew beating him to a pulp plus you look like someone who needs to be cheered up.

I laugh as I changed and we both move out. Matthew left a while ago. As we climbed into the car, my phone alerted me for a message "You can't hide forever Ciara....leave him alone if you don't want to be dead." I shivered uncontrollably.

MATHEW

I stood in the centre of the ring, my knuckles wrapped in tape, looking at the guy opposite me. Tony. The same guy who had been buying drinks for Ciara at the university bar for months. The same guy who looked at her with those smarmy, possessive eyes and the same idiot who came with her to my engagement and stood outside the door while I fucked her senseless. The thought alone made me smirk.

My brother was dead, he had been dead for years and the only headway I had was Maggie. I was going to kill this man with my bare hands.

The referee nodded, stepping back, and the bell rang. It was a deafening clash of noise-cheers from the crowd, the thud of boots on canvas, the grunts of exertion.

I lunged first, aiming for his ribs, but he was fast. He sidestepped me, his arm shooting out to hook my neck. I choked, stumbling back, my eyes finding hers in the stands. She was there. Carlista was there. But Ciara... she was nowhere to be seen.

My focus fractured for a split second, just enough for Tony to capitalise. He drove a knee into my stomach, doubling me over. I hit the ground hard, the air forced from my lungs.

I panicked. Did she see me? Did she see how weak I looked?

I scrambled to my feet, wiping blood from my nose, and lunged again. This time, I caught him. I drove my fist into his jaw, feeling bone give way under my knuckles. He stumbled, and I followed up with a right hook to his temple.

He hit the canvas hard.

My chest heaved, adrenaline burning through my veins. I looked at him, my eyes narrowing into slits. I was going to finish him. I was going to break him.

"You alright, Mathew?"

I looked up to see the referee raising my hand. The crowd was roaring. I pulled myself together, nodding at the referee, then turned to walk to my corner.

I saw Carlista waving me over, looking excited. But my eyes swept the crowd again, scanning every face, every body. No Ciara.

Where the hell was she?

"Mathew! Come here!"

I jogged over to my corner, where my coach, a burly guy named Kevin, was already wrapping ice around my shoulder. "You good, mate?"

"I'm fine." I grabbed the towel hanging around my neck, wiping sweat and blood from my forehead. "Where's Ciara?"

"Who?" Kevin asked, pouring water into my mouth.

"Carlista's friend. The dark-haired girl. The one who got caught in the rain."

"Oh, her." Kevin shrugged, tossing a bottle of water to me. "She wasn't feeling well, I think. Carlista said she needed to get home."

I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my chest. "Feeling unwell? What happened?"

"She seemed pretty shaken up earlier, actually." Kevin paused, looking at me with a knowing look. "You okay, Mathew? You looked pretty intense out there."

"I'm fine." I downed the water, feeling the cool liquid hit my empty stomach. "Just... focused."

I finished warming up, listening to Carlista chatter excitedly about my next fight. But my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't get her face out of my head. I saw fear in her eyes when she left the room.

The bell rang again, signalling the end of the round. I walked back to my corner, ready for the next one.

I watched the match play out, my heart in my throat. I almost lost. Tony was good. He was relentless. And every time I thought about giving up, I thought about her. I thought about the baby. I thought about Maggie.

I couldn't let them win.

I fought with a ferocity that surprised even myself. I was a force of nature, a whirlwind of punches and kicks. I knocked Tony out in the fourth round.

The crowd went wild. I threw my gloves in the air, shouting for Carlista. She ran down to the ring, hugging me, tears streaming down her face.

"Mathew! You did it! You absolutely killed him!" she screamed, over the roar of the crowd.

I hugged her back, my heart still hammering against my ribs. "Yeah," I said, my voice strained. "I'm fine."

I looked at Carlista, but my eyes were scanning the crowd again, desperate to find her. "Where is she?"

Carlista pulled back, looking confused. "Ciara? You mean Ciara? Why would she be here?"

"She has to be here," I said, my voice rising. "She was supposed to come."

"Mathew, she's not here," Carlista said gently. "She left."

I felt the floor drop out from under me. "Left? When? Where?"

"An hour ago. She left right after I told her about the package she got. She looked scared, Mathew. Really scared."

My blood ran cold. "What package?"

"She didn't say. She just grabbed her bag and ran out the door."

I turned to Kevin, my eyes blazing. "Get the car."

"What? But the afterparty-"

"I said get the fucking car." I grabbed my robe, tying it around my waist. "I'm not staying here. I have somewhere else to be I'll see you later Carlista. "

I walked out of the arena, my mind racing. Someone was threatening her. Someone knew about the baby. And I was going to find out who.

I got into the car with Kevin, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Where's Ciara?" I asked, my voice tight.

"I don't know, Mathew," Kevin said, starting the engine. "I thought you knew."

"I thought she was coming with Carlista," I said, my voice rising. "You said she was coming!"

"I never said that, Mathew. I said she was going to take her to cheer her up."

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process the information. "She's not with Carlista."

I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. "Where is she?" I asked, my voice tight.

"I don't know," Kevin said. "We can't just-"

"I'm not asking you to guess," I snapped. "I'm telling you to drive. To the university. To her dorm. To wherever the hell she is."

Kevin nodded, shifting gears. "Okay, okay. We're going to find her."

I leaned back in my seat, my eyes fixed on the road. I needed to find her. I needed to protect her. I needed to tell her that I wasn't leaving her.

We drove to the university, but her dorm was empty. I checked her phone records, but she had turned it off.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to stave off the panic rising in my chest. I was going to black out. I was going to die here. I needed to find her. I needed to see her. I needed to touch her.

I called Carlista's phone again. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the gym," Carlista said, her voice shaking. "I have the car. I'm coming to get you."

"Good," I said, hanging up. "I'm going to the warehouse."

"What?" Kevin asked, looking at me. "Why? What are you doing there?"

"The note," I said, my voice low. "The one she got. It said to come to the old warehouse at Docklands tomorrow at noon."

Kevin shook his head tonight. "This is crazy, Mathew. This is insane. It's late. No one is there."

"I don't care." I got out of the car and started walking toward the warehouse district.

I walked through the dark, empty streets of London, my heart hammering against my ribs. The rain had started to fall again, cold and biting. I felt like I was walking into a trap.

I reached the warehouse district. I saw the warehouse I was looking for. It was old, run-down, and looked abandoned. But I could see someone standing outside.

I froze.

The figure was tall and broad, with tanned skin. He had tattoos on his arms. It was Tony. He was smoking, looking at his phone.

I walked up to him, my eyes narrowed. "You sent the note?"

Tony took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Hello, Mathew. Or should I call you 'Champion'?"

He stepped aside, revealing the girl standing behind him.

It was Ciara.

She was standing near a delivery truck, her back to me. She looked like she was in shock. She looked small and fragile in the rain, a stark contrast to the dangerous man standing next to her.

"I see you made it," Tony said. "Did you enjoy the fight?"

I ran a hand through my hair, intensely. "Where's the threat? Where's the danger?"

Tony laughed. "That's not what I meant. I meant, did you enjoy the fight? Because it reminded me of how I'd like to take you apart. Slow and painful."

He leaned in close to me, his eyes glinting. "I'm going to kill you, Mathew. I'm going to kill you slowly. I have plans for you."

My heart pounded. "What do you want with me?"

"I want her," Tony said, nodding at Ciara. "And I want her child. That's why I sent the note. I wanted to see what you'd do. Would you come for her? Would you be a hero?"