ry corner seemed to hold a secret, and every glance fr

Luca's name, I was certain of it. But what did they mean? His warning to "watch Adrian" echo

nd groans of the house as it settled. But as the hours stretched o

topped directly outside my room. My heart raced. Slowly, I reached fo

orknob

just an inch. I could see nothing but darkness beyond

e whispered, lo

shaky brea

etted by the dim hallway light. He stepped inside without wa

e?" I hissed, clutching

render, his easy smile in place.

ting," I shot back

ssion shifting to something m

sked, though I al

said simply, hi

ing in my hand. "I don't kno

me on, Elena. Don't insult my intelligence. I know you s

my throat dry. "Ho

he took a step closer. "Bec

ach, but I forced myse

e said, his tone low and warning. "And if Adrian finds ou

tighter. "So what

the first time, he looked genuinely conflicted. "I

? You're part of this-whatever this

"Because if you don't, Adrian will destroy you. And

memory of Luca's visit. His words had l

as he so concerned about Adri

e elsewhere. By the time evening rolled around, I wa

pproached me with a strange look on her face.

ch dropp

ion unreadable. "He didn'

I made my way to Adrian's office. The door was sl

his deep vo

ind his massive desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He

he door,

I stood in the center of the

t before setting his glass down. "

ad, unsure of

never leaving mine. "There's been some

don't understand," I said,

faint smile, but it wasn't r

stopping just a few feet away from me. His presen

.. curious," he said, his to

o respond. "I'm just trying

nnerving intensity. "Your job doesn't invo

started, but

ie to me

his voice silen

ne. "This is your one and only warning. Stay ou

y, my throat to

moment longer before he turned away

e, my heart hamm

day replaying in my mind. Adrian's warning w

'm the only one who can k

. And if I didn't figure out what it was soon, I mi

en sharp and deliberate, a reminder that I was walking on thin ice. But no ma

imed, why was Luca trying to warn me about

but I couldn't aff

ek black cars parked in the corner. He was talking to one of the drivers,

spreading across his face. "

ying to mask my nerve

row, clearly amused

ke sure we were alone. "What's

oment, but he recovered quickly. "I d

yself with the intensity in my voice. "I s

ression hardening. "You shouldn'

ot back. "What

was going to yell. But instead, he sighed, running

t is it?"

list of transactions. Payments, debts, deals. My name's in there becau

chill down my spine.

ression grim. "Things you

sting. "So why warn me about Adr

uca interrupted, his voice low and urgent. "If he thinks you're a

in the air, hea

care?" I a

nerable. "Because you don't belong in this world, Elena. And

couldn't bring myself to fully trust him. He was clearly hiding t

dining room, I overheard a convers

p voice said. "She's bee

dle it," Lu

d. They were ta

acing. Adrian and Luca were standing near

at," Luca said. "

d in my business?" Adrian ask

ight away, and the s

Adrian said finally. "If she becomes

noticed, my mind racing. Luca had tried to de

tudy. The tension between us was palpable as I w

owing me as I dusted the shelves. "Do you e

ght off guard

I suggest you focus on your work and st

hands trembling as

, Adrian's voice sto

his tone dark. "I don'

pounding, but he

d me in the servants' quart

to talk,"

ked, my voice bare

said bluntly. "If you keep pushin

isted. "I'm just trying

the cellar?" he aske

to respond, but

"I'm trying to protect you, Elena. Bu

ion," I said, though the f

if Adrian finds out what you've seen, it