n paranoia. Every glance felt like a challenge, every shadow a threat. Luca had warned me about

focusing on my work. But avoidance wasn't enough. Adrian was watching me, his dark e

ffocatingly tense days th

ing room and was headed toward the kitchen

le

llway. His suit was immaculate, as always, but there was something about the wa

ed, trying to kee

id, his tone leaving

pounding with each step. He led me to his stud

motioning to the chai

e walked around the desk and sat down. He leaned back,

ice calm but laced with menace, "w

ped. "Nothing,"

ng into a faint smile. "Don't lie to m

I insisted, my

ms on the desk. "I don't trust people who ask questions they

h to protest, bu

old. "You've been in places you have no business

nything," I said, my voi

I thought he was going to lash out. But then

he said softly,

in my lap, trying to

work for me. That means you follow my rules, and you stay out of my

erate to get out of th

me for a moment longer before

eart was racing, but more than anything, I was angry-angry at Adrian for intimidating me, angry

unter over and over in my mind. Adrian was testing

e-not just with suspicion, but with somethi

e, whether it was passing by while I cleaned or lingering in the kitchen while I worked. His presence

, Adrian entered the room without a word. I kept my head

ight," he said af

ure of how to respond. "Just

sound low and unset

work, but my han

ing here, Elena?"

off guard, and I turned

nreadable. "Is that the truth? Or are you

the truth," I

ze piercing. "Good. Becaus

ng in the air, and I felt

, Elena?" he asked, his voice

ck by the question.

a faint smile. "Maybe I ju

with unspoken tension. I didn't know what to say,

a walked in, his eyes immediately

ng?" he asked, his tone li

ed, his smile fad

expression unreadable. "Elena,

ll dominating the room as I nodded a

re?" Luca demanded as soon

d, trying to keep

his eyes blazing. "You're pla

ng," I shot back, my fr

drian's testing you. He wants to see how far you

sked, my voice trembling.

ing. "Because if he decides you're a