's

n always slept at

I slipped quietly out of the room, my hear

a tightrope above the fire. This silence wasn't comfor

d no cho

ething real. Something concrete. I needed proof tha

the t

o one dared to enter it without his consent. But I had been

side. I moved quietly, avoiding the creaking floorb

fi

hrown

ld be

e

one of Selena's heels earlier. It was strong enough to pick locks. I'd pic

ic

inally cli

ger at the same time. Rich leather, old b

ht now. Quickly, I began opening the drawers one by one

y eyes

nelt beside it, my heart thudding. The lock was small bu

l

ally o

awaited at the si

rawer. No name. Just a thick, worn ledger, stained al

had

e of a woman s

t. A date

y-$1,

- $50

Unsold(

my g

, faces, and how they were captured. How they we

ness. An organized system of death and

a sup

r cover slick with age and secrets. My entire body buzzed wit

o

ndlelight, my ears straining for the tiniest sound of a cr

th

cing at the creak it gave. The hallway beyond was dark, painted

rough. And then...I slammed into a wall. No...ches

t him. Ple

wasn't

angles carved into his jawline. But his expression was messi

infamous Da

younger

yes swept under me. Dropping to the awkw

h

to my

"Well," he said, his voice a low sneer that

I was caught red-handed. The silence between us

trand through his messy hair, "Lucien

I'm sorry. I didn't realize someone was out here by this

me. His breath reeked of whiskey, and his shirt was hal

to see what I hid behind my back. "Yeah. Clara." Noddin

Devil needs different things sometimes." He sneered, leaning

om his study," I lied smoothly. "Did

that?" Dante asked lazily. "Ye...yes..

ing to my skin, the cloth-wrapped ledger pressed behind my back, wa

time. "What must have you done to

"What do

oo low. "If I had you in my bed, I wouldn't send y

nough not to question anything he had s

I needed to use to save m