th deliberate care. The night outside was quiet, almost deceptively peaceful, but her mind ref

acing heartbeat. The memory of Adrian's dark eyes, the protective grip on her hand in

at the door m

top as Adrian's familiar fig

is tone calm but edged with war

"I thought... I co

didn't leave his posture. "Tonight was only

ing, curiosity and fear warr

king for answers. And they believe you have them. I can't

d hard. "Wat

f her eye - a shadow flitted across the living room window. S

r view. His body radiated control, power, and

sted. She felt the same wild, musky scent she had no

unreadable. "You're not imagining

her sanctuary, felt suddenly

rk hair, jaw tight. "It's complicated. There are things about you,

"Are you talking

how much he knew. "Partially," he admitted. "There's more than

ten. She wanted to ask more,

night. Then he turned back, eyes intense. "You need all

ed. "Alli

sually confident face. "I'll explain... when it's sa

t, wild scent again. Ava felt goosebumps rise. The da

she hadn't expected - a flutter of anticipation, a spark she

nded his ha

hing unexplainable pushed her forward. She took his hand, and the w

city lights, unseen eyes f

er: the threads of danger had only