's

ythm was a comforting reminder of how many people, how many li

se of

Car

atic or obvious, but it was there: subtle, like a thread being pulled loo

g how she interacted with Mira, how she moved through my house like she belonged there. She was

e unless they were hiding som

image flickered on the screen: sitting on the floor of Mira's room, reading

phone buzzed on the des

ood. Seen nea

ld for a second

on of

e learned his place. He was a vulture, obsessive, dangerous: a man who didn't know when to qui

and he picked up

asked, my v

y long. In and out. I don't know what he's after, bu

me

y

n hit me harde

again. My jaw tightened as I stood, shoving the chair back and striding out of the office. My footsteps

leaning against the frame, watching them. She was sitting on the edge of Mira's bed, her fingers brushing thro

instead, it only added to it. Because while she was sitting there, quiet and warm, my

ed up, her green eyes locking with mine, and I could see the shift in her pos

e said quietl

," I said, keepi

already slipping into sleep. Then she nodded, f

her, my gaze sharp. "You didn't think to tell me

ng. "You're spying on me?" she asked, crossing her arms. "is

my voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "I know everything that happe

g anything, Sir Leo," she said, her voice calm but edged with unease. "He showed up. I

narrowing my eye

icker of tension in her expression. "I

ir between us seemed to hum with tension, sharp and electric. "Everything you do is my bu

ing, but she held her ground. "I didn't ask Adri

"But you should have come to me the second he showed

in her eyes. "He's... obsessive," she admitted quietly, her voice

ess

n't get to be obsessed with her. Not while she was

" I said, my tone sharp, final.

me, Sir," she said, her voice shaking slightly, though she tried to ho

Lyra," I said, stepping closer, towerin

as she stared up at me. "Own?" she rep

light but deliberate. "You work for me now," I murmured. "You live

controlled emotion. "You can't just... spy on me, Sir Leo," she

ts. This is my house. My world. And the sooner you und

her eyes: the push and pull of anger, fear, and s

id finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But d

t have to let me, Lyra. You're already under my control. And if

eyes burned with frustration and somethin