Chapter 14 TEN MINUTE AT MIDNIGHT

ADRIAN POV

“You’re seriously considering going?”

Rook stood across the table, staring at me like I had just announced that I planned to walk into a burning building for fun.

I looked down at Vivian’s message again, the white light burning through my eyes. “You know I need the information she has,” I said, keeping my voice flat and devoid of emotion. 

“That wasn’t what I asked.”

I raised my eyes to meet his.

Rook folded his arms. “Do you trust her? She is asking you not to bring me. Doesn’t that sound weird?

I stayed quiet for a moment. “Yes, it does, but…”

His expression tightened, forming a deep frown line between his brows. “Adrian.”

I sighed, exhaustively. 

“You’re wanted across half the city. Someone just tracked the Apex core to the diner, your equipment is badly damaged, and now the Ghost Broker suddenly wants a private meeting with you without me.”

“I know. But are you saying this because you want to come, or because you don’t trust her?”

“Both, bro”. 

“I get it, but I still have to go,” I blurted.

Rook stared at me for several seconds, before rubbing a hand over his face. “You really enjoy making my life difficult, don’t you?”

“You knew what you were getting into when you accepted the deal.”

“I thought I was helping a wanted man stay alive,” he muttered, taking a step back. “I didn’t realize I’d become his full-time babysitter.”

Despite the weight on my chest, the corner of my mouth lifted with a smile. 

He smiled too before his expression turned serious again. “Do you think she’s going to help you?” 

“She might.” 

“Might?” he asked. 

“That is the problem,” I admitted. “I don’t really know her motive.”

Rook’s eyes narrowed and I understood his concern.

It had been three weeks since I’d gone from a Strategic Operations Director who had access to the most important project in Veyra City to a wanted man hiding in the Lower Wards.

But If I kept hiding, I would only give whoever was behind the Apex disaster another opportunity to move.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated sharply against my leg. Both of us froze instantly. 

It was another message.

VIVIAN: I’ll send the location this evening.

I stared down at the message. 

Rook leaned closer, over my shoulder, taking in the message. “She’s planning to keep you waiting?” he scoffed. “Very romantic.”

I shot him a flat, unamused look.

He raised both hands in mock surrender. “I’m just joking.”

We spent the next few hours checking every piece of equipment we had left. I considered checking the signal again, but without knowing who was behind it, we would only be wasting time. This is more reason we need a higher lead. 

By the time we finished, the rain had stopped completely, and I was already getting hungry. I suddenly remembered that Rook had gotten me food earlier. 

“Rook?” 

“What?” he replied, his eyes half-closed as he lay flat on the cushion.

“The food?” I asked. 

“It’s spoiled already, but don’t stress. Vivian would definitely get you one.”

I couldn’t tell if he said that because he was half-asleep or because he was trying to annoy me again. So I simply ignored him. 

I moved beside the window, watching headlights move across the dark distant street.

My phone remained silent until 12:17 A.M.

A notification appeared.

VIVIAN: Blackstone Warehouse, Dock 4. Remember, come alone.

“Rook, do you know this place?” I moved closer, only to realize he was already fast asleep.

“Seems like I’ll have to figure this out myself.” I muttered as I got ready to leave.

I was about to leave when Rook noticed me. “She sent the location already?” 

Shocked, I turned back, “Yes, she sent it not long ago.”

He quickly got up, moving towards me. “Let me see.” His expression changed like he had just seen a ghost.

“Do you even know where you’re going?” he asked, concern written all over his face.

“No. I don’t know this area, so I planned to use the map on my…”

“It isn’t one of the usual meeting spots where information brokers conduct business, Adrian. It is an old archive building on the eastern side of Veyra City.” 

He paused like the words were heavy, then continued. “For close to three years now… that building has been abandoned. So there shouldn’t be any reason for Vivian to choose it unless she wants privacy or she’s about to do something bad to you.”

I moved closer and gave Rook’s shoulder a reassuring tap.

“If Vivian wanted to trap me, the building handed her the perfect opportunity. If she genuinely wanted to talk, she had chosen a place where we could speak without being overheard. Either way, I couldn’t ignore it.” 

Rook crossed his arms. “I’m coming with you then.” 

“No.” I said firmly. 

His expression immediately changed. “Adrian…”

“She specifically told me not to.”

“And you’re listening to her now?” 

“I’m listening to the instructions”

“That sounds suspiciously like doing exactly what she wants. You allow a woman to control you?” 

I ignored the jab, and started moving. 

“You know I’m going to follow you anyway.” Rook hurried to my side.

As we kept moving, I realized I hadn’t replied to her message.

I opened my screen and typed a single, precise response. 

ME: I’ll be there.

The notification status changed instantly to 'READ'. A second later, her response appeared:

VIVIAN: I expected you to say that.

Before I could lock the device, another line appeared on the screen.

VIVIAN: And Adrian? Please follow my instructions. 

Rook watched me carefully. “So, once we get there, what’s the plan?”

You stay outside,” I said. “I’ll approach the warehouse alone.”

Rook shifted his weight, his boots screeching against the damp floorboards as his eyes locked onto mine. “And if something feels wrong?”

“I leave,” I replied. 

“Immediately?”

“Yes.”

He gave me a doubtful look, his thick dark eyebrows pulling together in deep skepticism. “Are you actually going to listen this time, or are you going to analyze the threat until she puts a bullet in your head?”

“If I notice anything unusual, I’ll walk away.” I said. 

“I’ll stay close enough to see the entrance, but far enough that nobody knows I’m there.”

“Good.” I applauded his smartness. 

“And if you don’t come back?”

I looked at him. “Give me ten minutes.”

“Ten?” he repeated, his voice dropping. “In an abandoned archive building? Ten minutes is like forever, Adrian. Ok! What if you are not out by then?” 

“If I’m not out by then, you leave.”

His expression hardened. “Are you an idiot? I’m not leaving you.”

“Rook…” 

“Ten minutes,” he said, cutting me off with a harsh look. “That’s all you’re getting. I’m kicking the door off its hinges immediately.”

I held his gaze for a long moment, searching his face for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, I let out a short breath and nodded. “Fine.”

When we finally reached the building, the entire place was dark and unnaturally quiet. 

Not a single light was on. Even the entrance looked abandoned. 

But I felt something immediately—someone was watching us.