ran beside Luca, her hand clinging to his despite every nerve in her body telling her to let go. The adrenaline coursing through her v

, precise, as if he'd navigated the labyrinth of his family's estate a thousand times. Lily stumbled slightly as

shouts of his men were growing louder, their voices ricocheting off the walls as they closed in. Lily clutched her clut

she hissed, her voice

nced over his shoulder at her, his dark eyes glittering with intens

her lungs burning as they navigated another turn. The corridor ahead was narrower, the walls pressing in like an iron ca

e, the faint hum of machinery filling the space. Lily's eyes adjusted to the dim light, and she realized they were in some

t was slightly askew, and a faint sheen of sweat glimmered on his brow, but he didn't seem fazed.

y you're doing here?" he ask

ed her clutch bag tighter. "I could ask you the same th

're at *my* party, *in* my house, sneaking around places you don't belong," he sai

ay anything, Luca pushed off the door, closing the distance between them in a few strides. His prese

nd unwavering. "And I don't believe for a second that you 'got los

o point in lying-not anymore. He was too perceptive, too sharp to fall for another flimsy excu

said finally, her voic

stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush against the edge of h

lingered near hers. "It doesn't matter," she said, forc

o a faint, humorless s

ping both of them to attention. Luca's expression hardened, and he gestured for Lily to

ively reaching for Luca's arm. His muscles tensed under her touch, but he didn't move, his fo

warning, the han