l
utside the mansion wal
sn't a
heir wealthy social circle. Elena, however, was nothing more than a secr
he was done be
y, her breath shallow, ears straining for any sound. The clock in the main h
rr
. It wasn't much-just an old hoodie, a bottle of water, and the small amount
e house. She knew exactly which door to take-the one leading to the service entrance. It was
ast the gate, sh
. No more being a sh
she had to
k anoth
ou think yo
stomach
tor
r leaning against the doorway, arms
r spilling over her shoulders, Victori
ter, her hair tied in a messy knot, and her face
't what made
the daughte
e daughter t
d, her voice stro
Elena." She tsked. "You're actu
ounded. "I mean
here, huh? You've never even been to a grocery store. You have no friends, no conn
he's right. But I
thou
per. "You're nothing without this house. No one
e rage boiling inside her. Victoria wan
n't weak. N
on her heel
voice rang through
tartled maid and pushing open the side door. Th
top. Ju
hanting in
f damp roses thick in the air. The mansion's perimeter fence loom
had to
heart hammering against her ri
ingers curling ar
around her waist an
he struggled, kicking and thrashin
e sent chills
ce murmured in her ear. "T
That accent. Deep.
e Ru
d to see him. Dark blue eyes. Scarred brow. A
le beneath his crisp black suit. Tattoos curled up h
e the men her pare
as w
le he had yet to figure out. "Now, tell me, little mouse," he said,
e way his presence unse
ee me. You, however..." His gaze flicked over her, taking in her messy hair, the hoodie drowning
still burning where he'd touc
shifted in
id quietly.
om the house. Guard
und her out here, her father would
, ready to
aught h
er skin, firm but not painful. His dark eyes sear
er shock,
he mu
ed. Why would
e my mind," he adde
idn't
he night, not dar
hed her disappear into the shadows, his
im murmur to hims
hat moment, that she had
ouldn't