g long golden streaks across the marble floor of the estate. B

er threat. Another crack to spl

hey'd been reviewing staff files, cross-referencing visitor logs, and going through

ke static in the air b

epared her for

-

ted wit

aid, tossing a file onto the c

on the couch, where she'd been

's t

ired of the politics. But he still has deep connections - and more importantly, loy

. "You think he's

ander said grimly. "The threats. The d

isted. "Why would

you're my

flin

w it. His fa

t they think hurting you will brea

head. "So wh

aw him

-

days, the mansio

anged, attending a carefully planned "public charity brunch" w

se information. Let it be known that he was transferri

as b

trap w

-

bite came

ed Marissa - tried to slip a burner

ught withi

room when Cassian

to leave the phone - that's all. They said if I did it, they'd erase

phone?" Alexander

a hesi

tford," sh

nce

ery still. His kn

" he re

wned. "Wh

mother,"

stared

ted the name, the power. When he died, she tried to claim half the com

ris, doesn't she

twisted. "Appare

-

exander told E

Her veiled threats over the years. And h

ve for my sister was exactly that. After her death, Eliza di

couch, heart pounding. "So s

old ally. Together, they could bring down ever

oked

en

-

ing, Elena ma

ld meet

Alexander's back. But fa

rotested at first - loudly -

need to stop hiding. Let

s dangerous. Manipulative. She'

me sharp

-

ce at an upscale roo

Cassian nearby, wat

wine in her hand. She was in her mid-fifties, flawless in a way that only mone

th cheeks. "You're even prettier in person. I

h. "You wanted to

sit. "Tell me - what does it feel like to sleep

an sitting across from someone

smile

she said. "No won

his is about? J

er tipped the scales when he married you. He

n't tou

ve. And soon, when your name is tied

me after me again, I won't just

nt, there

ghed - soft, c

she said. "I und

s," Elena rep

looking back,

-

ar, Alexander

her face and pulle

you go alone," he mu

ined," Elena said. "But

back. "You scare

oo

-

roke out in one of A

re injured. M

lamed faul

er knew

" he said. "She's d

beside him. "T