ed in palms and old cypress trees. The iron gates opened silently as he approached, recognizing the license plate. Warm

walnut, the floors a blend of polished travertine and dark hardwood. High ceilings gave the rooms space to breathe, while woven silk rugs grounded them

te study. Dark glass, leather-bound books, and a

s, barely sipping before

is secretary to be beepi

ts surface immaculate except for a glass p

the screen, it lit up.

harp features, glasses perched on her nose, h

s, M

icient. "You've been spotted,"

slightly as he

paper. Fuzzy image--barely recognizable--but it's you.

d his eyes.

how they are. They smell a

ver his face. "

r. At some point, this.

ady?" not even sure

ated needs someone to fill it. And I'm afraid that

owing that Ma

is moving faster. They want a face at the

in years," he mattered,

our silence has become a myth, sir. Mayb

id no

Friday, you're needed for the acquisition with Lumex. Y

ing back. "I have t

No. You're making an a

im. There was no point in arguing with her, she was a stric

mply

ct launch. Major press. High-level guests. Seve

ed. "Two ap

sed. Especially the launch. You've been absent long enough.

ght of the house pressing on him

ot a delegate. Not

s sil

. Wolfe. This Frida

nd nodded. "I'll be

a quick smile. "

onse from him,

eyes fell on the glass

hat slipped through. Excitement stirred within her-a rare flutter of anticipation that she ha

harm. Who was he really? How did he arrange a helicopter in few hours? The questio

eception for room service and ordered breakfast-

r, balancing a silver tray with

ted, placing the tray on the small table b

luck with the coffee?" s

"I'm sorry. We don't carry that bran

he breakfast would be enough to fue

started. "There's going to be a bonfire party at the beach tonight

used, considering. "I'm not sure

. "You might enjoy it. It's a

ht lingered in Marissa's mind as she f

her distance. Esp

tugged at her-a part of her craving normalcy, connection, something beyond the walls of her solitude. But another part r

beach. A small crowd gathered near a large fire pit, the flames casting warm, dancing shadows on faces glowin

ant against the darkening sky. Nearby, tables were laden with dishes; grilled seafood, spicy stews, fresh tro

ite the f

rmth and sound. A man handed her a small cup filled with

asked softly beside her and s

the kind pair of eyes belongin

oming a friend

sa no

cakes-they're the best on the island

ion ease. She laughed quietly, the sound almost foreign to her own ears. Yet through the c

k, feeling the heat of the flames but the chill of her own restraint. She promised herself

ire party vibe with more subtle, natural

issa found a spot on the edge of the gathering, watching the dancers with a mix of curiosi

over a plate of grilled shrimp and mango

led faintly

gly. "It's easier wh

e weight of her thought

to let go," Lil

hed it were

floated through the air; low

linen shirt, eyes scanning until they landed on her.

er. "See? What

forced a smile. "I'm here to enj

respectful distance away. "I

plied, voice steady des

ard the fire. "

ed, then turned to fin

gling with the tension between them. W

"are you starting t

little. The island has a way

od. I hope it

e two of them. Firelight, whispered words,

ht of Lazar's gaze on her. He wasn't staring but there was an in

"It's strange... I came here looking for peac

ons," Lazar said softly. "Sometimes

, surprised by the

asn't uncomfortable. If anything, it made the

," she admitted, breaking th

rking. "It's exhausting. Pretend

ut a soft lau

er of them moved, but somet

oice low. "Would it scare you if

wed hard.

ouldn't ask

her head s

ng shadows over his face. Lazar studie

. Just wanted to se

ked, barely ab

vulnerability behind the steady ca

the night without w

te of his words lingering on her lips l

dn't feel

she

d, the hum of music and laughter filling the air around her li

ain skewered with spicy chicken. A woman passed her a clay cup filled with something creamy and war

ht. Maybe the island did have a way of softening peop

neapple slices dusted with sea salt. She never would've chosen these thi

e, giving her a thumbs-up. Maris

path to the resort, her body loose from the food and dri

den below glowed gently with fairy lights and moonlight. So

uldn't

she

d her more tha