The tension at the table had been unbearable, and Elena could still feel the invisible

e she could reach her door. A strong grip closed around her wrist, spinning her around until her back met the cold

under the golden glow of the chandeliers. His lips cur

he murmured, his grip tighteni

ed, trying to tug her hand

taunting. "Are you scared of

ade her st

heek before dipping down to her jaw. Elena turned her face away sharply, but his

whispered, lowering his head toward her ear, his breath w

g herself against the w

he breathed, her vo

r neck, his touch feather-light but filled with dominance. Elena's entire b

ded wildly aga

se. His eyes flickered toward the end of the hallway, his li

om him, nearly running toward her room

ng as she tried to steady her breathing. The s

ays Ea

nt, her manicured nails tapping against the stem of her win

reason, I assume," Victo

Straight to the po

rossing her legs. "I have a

sip of her wine.

atisfaction. "I want Elena ou

ead slightly. "Oh? And here I thought yo

"That girl is a parasite. She

her finger along the rim of her glass.

"You're her sister. You know he

to a slow, knowing smile.

her closely. "Ar

t Valeria's gaze with unwavering c

ack envelope and slid it across the table. "Consider this a d

peeking inside before chuckling

dable. "Just don't get any ideas, V

ething dark and unreadable before

left, Victori

t the only reason s

as her mind drifted to a secret she had buried

ne else. Someon

disappeared wi

on of finding out what ha

sen

garden below. The wind was cool against her skin,

hrough her thoughts.

Alessia standing the

before nodding

e her. "You looked like y

rand of hair behind her ea

speak, but there was a quie

smiled. "You know, I was

her, curious. "

grow up in this mansion. I had a life

er head. "Why

fore she quickly masked it with a s

yptic about her words,

. "How about tomorrow I take you out fo

"I don't think

rked. "I ha

hat night, Elena fel

nt

atching the garden below. His sharp eyes land

en

er hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the moonlight, an

ked...

o the ruthless wor

w tigh

to stay away. She was a distr

om his phone pulled h

ed at th

nown n

before openin

hable as you think, R

ned. His grip on t

was playing g

hey'd just made a ve

NIG

moonlight. Everyone was either asleep or in their rooms, but Vic

lipping into the shadows, her fingers

careless, leaving

lock of Dante's private study. A soft click echoed in the sil

lingering even in his absence. She took a steadying breath before m

mooth surface before she pulle

. Useless

the

t skippe

n compa

ainst the wood, and with a soft click, the compartment s

er pulse quickening as

d on the content, her bre

it once.

n the pape

at you've been

ow over her face, reflecting t

slipping it into her dress bef

s she had come, she disa