ra

iet hum of the grand estate was a stark contrast to the calculated, steady rh

e heavy oak doors. Behind him stood three boys, a mini

of his presence from the shadowed second-floor gallery that overlooked the room-a silent, un

e before me, a smal

g hair as Eliga. He wore black-rimmed glasses that gave him a deceptive, scholarly ai

and sharp, violent edges. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his jaw set like granit

c-blue eyes set in a pale, delicate face. He hid partially behind Jasper's arm,

one of Seraphina's s

I sto

rms of a doting, fake mother. Instead, I moved sli

balancing gracefully on

t my spine remained straight. I brought myself down to the

t was ins

d, lowering oneself was an act of submission, of weakness. But here, now, exec

te mask flickered with genuine surprise. And Julian, no longer needing to cran

y across the room, including all of them in my gaz

cedented act of an adult meeting him at

s guarded and formal

just watched me, his gaze intense

r demand a greeting. Instead, my gaze drifted

I knew from my past life, too small. Jasper's feet grew faster than the household staff could keep up with,

t of his brothers. I didn't i

"Your father tells me you're an incredible fighte

ns about school, or a nauseating attempt at motherly affection. He ha

curt, susp

asual, professional observation. "Are you sure your current footwear is providing the corr

rom my face to his own feet and back

t out, his voice roug

." I paused, letting my voice drop so only he could hear the gravity in it. "I know what it's like to we

esit

ath, keeping

sper gave another tight nod and moved to

refully untied the laces of one shoe. As I eased the stiff leather off, the sight confirmed my

intake of breath. Eliga. He provided his sons with the best security, the best tuto

r scold the staff. I simply produced a clean, silk handk

they are for politicians and businessmen. Not for an enforcer. An enforc

conflicted gaze. His impenetrable

pact between us. "We'll have you custom-measured for proper tactical boot

bring grown men to their knees in pools of their own blood, looked at me with t

ay," he

red, his mouth slightly open. Julian took a brave step closer, his

und. It was the silence of a dangerous man watchi

acquired in a business deal hadn't just paid attention t

g their loyalty