they were, only that she was to stay out of sight, sta

d as she

d polished shoes. Their laughter echoed through the halls, loud and

tray of expensive scotch glasses Rosa had handed her. The tray trembled slight

pack scenti

eached out whe

r arm, too casuall

the man drawled, a cruel smirk tugg

respond. Didn't slow down. She simply kept walking, even as hea

w table near the fireplace, will

en s

paused midair. His expression didn't change, bu

ood sl

gh the chatter like

er died. He

ed. "Lucien, w

aid l

gerous than if he'd yelled. There was finality in his to

argued

of footsteps echoing down the hallway, fol

by the table, unsure

each step deliberate, hi

e reached her, he didn't speak at fir

softly, he asked,

d. "It was no

sharpened, slicing th

e sound of her name. He'd ne

nced up,

she said quietly. "But I

"That's not your place

. "I don't u

int stubble along his jaw, the tired weight behind his eyes. B

d, voice low and dark. "No

tidal wave. She should've been angr

felt something bl

che. A terri

e'd arrived in this house, she didn'

t terrif

de him was splintering. "If he speaks to you

r voice barely a w

word, he turned

r he'd gone, her heart pounding in her ch

ilia lay awake in bed. Her fingers touched the

e felt disgus

could think about

elong

eant in his world. It wasn't love. It w

d it... like he mea

aybe, he hadn't mea

, a glass untouched in his hand. His jaw was cl

't break

't cross

ls like her, girls who were supposed t

ept thinking about t

ed at him like he

he most dangero