**Chapter 2: "The Threat"**

As Lexi and Ethan stepped out of the luxurious hotel lobby, the warm sunlight cast a golden glow over the crowded street. The sound of honking horns and chattering pedestrians filled the air, and Lexi's trained ears picked up on every detail. She scanned the surrounding area, her eyes locking onto potential escape routes and vantage points. Ethan, oblivious to the security protocols, strode ahead, his long strides forcing Lexi to quicken her pace to keep up. "Hey, slow down," she called out, her voice firm but polite. "We need to check the perimeter before we get into the car." Ethan halted, turning to face her with an exasperated expression. "Come on, Lexi. I've got a meeting to get to. Can't we just get moving?" Lexi's patience was wearing thin. She'd been working with Ethan for less than a day, and already, she was starting to feel like she was walking on eggshells around his ego. "Sir, I understand that you're busy, but your safety is my top priority. Please, just a minute of your time." Ethan huffed, but eventually, he nodded and fell into step beside her. As they reached the car, Lexi did a quick sweep of the area, her eyes scanning the rooftops and alleys. She noticed a suspicious character lingering across the street, his eyes fixed intently on Ethan. "What's going on?" Ethan asked, following her gaze. Lexi's expression was neutral. "Just a precaution, sir. I need to check on something." She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, her eyes never leaving the suspicious character. "Harrison, it's Lexi. I need you to run a check on the surrounding area. See if there's anyone or anything suspicious." As she waited for Harrison to respond, Lexi's gaze locked onto the suspicious character, her mind racing with possibilities. Who was this guy, and what did he want with Ethan? "Lexi?" Harrison's voice crackled over the phone. "Yeah, what've you got?" "Not much, yet. But I did pick up on some chatter about a possible threat to Blackwood. Sounds like it's just a rumor, but I'm digging deeper." Lexi's grip on the phone tightened. This was exactly what she'd been worried about. The threats against Ethan had seemed too vague, too scattered, but now she was starting to suspect that there was more to it. "Sir, we need to get you into the car, now," she said, her voice firm. Ethan raised an eyebrow, but he didn't argue. As they slid into the car, Lexi's eyes locked onto the rearview mirror, her heart racing with anticipation. She was on high alert now, her senses heightened as she scanned the surrounding area for any sign of danger. The drive to Ethan's destination was a blur of tense conversation and edgy silence. Lexi's mind was racing with possibilities, her thoughts consumed by the threat against Ethan. She was determined to get to the bottom of it, no matter what it took. As they approached their destination, Lexi's phone buzzed with an incoming text. She glanced down, her eyes scanning the message. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the words: "You're not as safe as you think, Blackwood." Lexi's gaze locked onto Ethan's, her expression grim. "It's started," she said, her voice low and urgent. "We need to get you to a safe house, now."