spinning with ideas and emotions. Instead of being comforting, the silk sheets now felt suffocating against my skin. The memory of dinner lingered in my mind, with the

heavy draperies, I could just see my reflection - a pallid ghost with wide, troubled eyes. Looking back at me, I hard

rkness, fumbling for my bathrobe, the soft carpet muffled my feet. I shrugged it on over my silk pajamas

d of silence that screamed secrets and peril. Turning the doorknob,

ems. I knew better now. Every piece most likely had a bloody past and was paid for with life rather than money. I moved discreetly. Yea

Should I be discovered, I had no idea about the fallout. But something kept me moving ahead. Was it an inqu

I really doing this?" My voice was just a breath in the stillness as I whispered

eway. I immediately smelled the musty scent - a mix of ancient wood, dust, and long-buried secrets. It was

usted to the darkness, and I

itation and relief in my voic

w all too well. I could see the mischievous sparkle in her eye even in the low li

slight smile on her lips. "Couldn't sleep

e Ava's tense posture and her fingers slightly shaking as she tucked a strand of hair

"This is insane. We shouldn

ougher and more determined replaced the mischief in her eyes. "Come on, Kylie. You kn

h the wall. Ava and I looked at each other, a quiet conversation flowing b

across the men assembled there, transforming familiar features into hideous masks. My n

but vigilant stance, like a predator at rest, he looked every inch the master of his territory. His face's

ed to catch every detail, my l

sander and his soldiers are here right now. E

en glass, and the distinct sound of a gun bei

cut into my thoughts. "Gentlemen, we

linking. "Oh, come on, Lysander," he said, his voice gentle but his eyes piercing. "It wasn't entirely terrible. The cuisine was first-rate; the beve

nside me. How dare he discuss me in such a manner? Like

"She's mine." His possessiveness in his voice made me shudder down my spine. N

g beneath him. He started to cough, the sound echoing loudly

ol and Nathaniel. The room suddenly felt much colder. "I