es. Isla moved through the grand halls with measured steps, the silver pendant resting

ispered in her ear. There was something dangerous and magnetic

a luxury Isla

Luca waite

voice low. "There's movement in the city-w

heart q

the surface wa

Violet's invol

hesit

one, but her

summoned Isla

e and secrets, the scent of

d across the desk-marked wit

sents a threat," he explained. "

r, tracing a fing

olet's

s jaw ti

greatest th

hem grew, both in wor

ce-a man haunted by his past, des

p inside, a fragi

the windows, Isla found her

s, the melody a fragile rebellion

ed silently fr

ote faded, he s

rning," he

e, a question bu

ha

tr

was a dang

The rain drummed steadily against the tall windows of the Vale estate, a steady rhythm that matched the rapid pounding

lt a sliver of connection with Dominic. The cold silver pendant rested heavily agains

against the dark hallway. The firelight flickered over his

lly," he said soft

n, coaxing a slow, haunting melody from the instrument. The music seeme

For a long moment, neither spoke. The silence between them was

stillness. "Music can be a weapon or a

ging uncertain in the air. "And what abo

ned. "Both. It depen

, meeting his gaze

ut, his fingers brushing a loose strand of hair fro

on, but inside the music room, a fragi

tter than to let

icy paths down the glass. Her thoughts returned to the hidden chamber beneath the

ed relentlessl

even Dominic's intentions

d tightly around

o find a way to protect herself

ning dawned

g for her in the kitch

he said quietly, sliding a f

lded it c

single line scrawled in s

is, or you'll l

igna

plana

a t

pulse q

Luca. "Who coul

ll of enemies. But whoever wrote t

ominic summoned I

k lamp that cast long shadows on th

as unreadable as he ge

war to end," he said. "And they're wi

e steadily. "Wha

he said sim

hidden beneath the estate, and of the

c continued. "Because in this g

f their situation settling

r of guarded meeting

inic's world, the lines between enemy an

nt of something more-something tha

pared to leave Dominic'

ai

ned, st

oice. "You're not just a pawn in

eath c

restimate y

l of emotions-fear, confusion,

t as powerless

aybe, she cou

ant cool against her skin, as the s

f their story was waiting to be written-one forged i