pte

ks in

agile. And mine... mine died in the fire. He had built a tidy life around them, but now it seemed like it was in danger of breaking in ways he hadn't anticipated. That evening, as the golden light faded into dusk, Ethan sat across from Camille in their living

ered the promises she had made and all the moments they had shared, wondering if there were any shadows beneat

l, cryptic smile. "I loved t

what was left? He felt the walls of his world closing in-not with ange

t there were a lot of unanswered questions floating around in the silence. Under the layers of smoke and masks, Ethan found himself looking at her face for clues, looking for the woman he thought he knew. However, a brand-new gloom a

oulders, was lean, had sharp cheekbones, and had cold eyes that looked like they were calculating every movement. He had an air of restrained violence, li

as enticing as the strongest beverage on the menu, burning brightly and quickly before becoming sour and bruising. Jonas was a control freak w

e stage as well as watching her from behind the scenes when the crowd's eyes weren't enough. To Jonas, Camille was

k of an eye. Staff and patrons alike were wary of crossing him. Rumors swirled about his past - whispers of violent outbursts, of deals made in back alleys, and of debts

her career but her life's rhythm. His jealousy had cost him friends and allies, but he didn't care. Camille was his obsession, and she knew

, revealing the dangerous man beneath. His eyes were burning with a mix of desire and resentment when he began showing up unannounced and following her steps. To Jonas, Camille was not allowed to move on

the bar's far end, nursing a whiskey with a calm that didn't reach his eyes. His arrival was n

ance. But Jonas was there every time she looked out of the corner of her eye. He was still, unblinking, and the silence between

is stool and approached the stage. "Camille," he said in a l

coiling tight in her chest.

etween them as he moved closer. "When is the time, then? You haven't spoken to me in w

to a dangerous whisper. "You don

the quickening beat of her heart. Staff watched warily from the sidelines. Ca

Jonas's expression flickered for a moment. Camille took advantage of the opportuni

-

- The Threat Esca

threatening, each one more unsettling than the last. He showed up outside her apartment, lingering in the shadows like a

r path. His voice was low, menacing, and once had a love-like quality to it. "You belo

efiance in her eyes. Jonas, I'm done with you. At that point, he smiled,

anything to reclaim control, so the threat was obvious. The storm