a's

eyes turned black as coal, and he looked down at me, squeezin

pped lower, and I could still sme

el this way, especially not around him.

tool. A means to an end. I couldn't

h

body bet

t through me, a fire I hadn't expected

fire, Zara," Noah whi

away from him. I needed to stop this. Not with h

olished bar and refreshed his glass. It was obvious t

er have admitted it, but there was something a

Knight." It wasn't a question.

the counter, his eyes locking onto mine w

ack, crossing my arms over my chest.

said, his eyes hardening. "But you, Zara... What drives you to g

agony, the disloyalty that

ness transaction,

show him my c

my voice steady. "What matters is

ht. It doesn't matter why. What matters is how. And I think

rge to glance away. I knew h

seen it in his eyes. But N

astian," I said, my tone co

e something eyes. Then, slowly, his mouth stretched into a sm

s he moved closer again. He set his empty glass down this ti

He whispered, his voice like silk. "Information

ying your games, Noah. If you want to bring Sebasti

d, low and dark. "I like you, Zara. You have fir

uzzed in my bag. I frowned, steppi

. Sebastian. I looked up at Noah

said quietly, moving as

on the other end, smooth and dangerous. "I hope

teady my breath. "I'm fine, M

straight up. "You can begin by tel

could he po

g, not saying anything. "I'm... home," I finally manage

laced with amusement. "Funny. I was

couldn't find out I was with Noah. "I'm just about to head

ould buy the lie. "Alright," he finally said, but I could hear the doubt

know I had been holding as my heart continued to race

ed, clearly amused. "

re. "It's none o

efill his glass. "Just be careful. Sebastian K

dy knew

em knew I didn't

----

k outside of Sebastian's office a

ent shivers up my spine... I was walking a

know which

ffice swung open and he walked out

ce like honey. "Join me in my o

little wobbly as I tent

re was so much tension in the air. "I don't like bei

y chest. Did he know about Noah? Was th

nswered carefully, "I don't kn

o me and pined me

but you do," he murmured softly and evenly, causing

ye contact between us. This was about det

Mr. Knight?" I asked, my voice st

gerous smile as he leaned closer

in my world now.And in my wor

hin me told me to turn and run b

you," I whispered,

romising danger and allur

, I realized some

wasn't just about revenge an