ow, with sleek obsidian walls, minimalist décor, and just e

n tobacco, laced with that ever-present

business. Real business. Not just the numbers

ither crowned or crushed. Two we

s scanning the security footage with military precis

ross from him, the kind that swallowed yo

dy from the docks, but

atteo walked in first, twirling one of hi

n silk and arrogance, heading str

ithout turning. "You gonna drain

d hospitality, brother. Y

s fingers like it had something to say. "You're early, S

xpect you to still be aliv

ked. "T

o weeks, gentlemen. Then the House Sitting be

the crown," Yves said,

t sentimental. House Sitting

to tell me marrying a girl no one knew

I said, voice low. "She's the

asked. "You sure she won't crumbl

y. Nicholas is picking her up now

ed brow. "She agree

, obedience... and the il

the knife into his palm. "To have some

h was, it wasn't nice. It was clea

ending's the easy part, Malcolm. But the second this starts

," I sai

ves asked, cradling

ember why s

m of the surveillance monitors. Outside the window, the city

the table in front of me. "The South's been too qui

tings held in shadows. Everything screamed one thing

d. "Bribing soldiers, turning informants. If Iris bec

jaw. "Then the

to be fun. Watching you play

he House Sitting will expose everything

et's make sure we're the ones holdin

ring Iris stepping into my world, on

e game

**************************

ver felt this lo

armor, sharpened it into a weapon. But today, it clung to me

in pockets, looking out at the gate. The tinted glass

ing, low clouds, h

d called. T

entering was procedural, like moving a

ld be calculated. But beneath all of that logic, I could not h

of her, I

what this

icated. If anyone could introduce someone like Iris to this world wi

ion hung on me. Not because I was expecting mo

No attachments. N

idea what she w

rang. Rig

was already mobilizing, doors opening and shutting, coats being

driveway, gleaming like a shadow with wheels. Nicholas

she ste

slight shift in the mood. As if the house

d in but the kind that required bravery to be see

ents. No guarding. Just her and wha

e stood there, head held high, back straight, I couldn't he

ch me watching. Couldn't risk what might flash across he

a game of hearts. This was a ga

w, I found myself at the top o

irst. Measured. Then hers, a b

stage. The marble gleamed beneath her shoes, the chande

screamed, Look how small you

ighter around the ha

" she asked Nicholas,

-smile. "Welcome t

nodded t

up. Our e

ally. But the house did.

en us, recognition, maybe. A silent understanding that noth

ening anymore. It had been

ngerous. Som