light streamed through the blinds, but it offered no warmth. Every corner seemed charged

stayed the night-not in my room, not in the guesthouse. He had left as silently as he had arrived,

he nightstand. A mes

Very bold. But boldn

eread the message. Every muscle in my body tensed. Someone knew everythi

re-or perhaps blissfully naïve. I didn't want to think about telling him, explaining anything. Not now. N

ark eyes smoldering with a combination of anger and desire. He had that pr

aid, my voice tight

my arm in a touch that was half re

ords were hurried, desperate.

will. And when I find them... they'll r

Julian Hart didn't make idle threats. Not to me, not to anyone. And yet, part of me feared that

covering my face with my hands. "

His thumb brushed in small circles, and the world shifted just enou

rying heat and promise. My body remembered every touch from last night, every rough, claiming moment that had left me trembling and w

mbling. "What if Max-what if he finds out

t touching mine. "Then everything change

had tried to bury my feelings, even when five long years had passed without touch or word,

my body tense. Julian was already moving, a shado

e glass doors. Julian bent, picking up a sleek black envelope from the welcome mat.

he said quietly. "F

he handed me,

eminder. Play nice

Not just Max, not just me, not jus

firm, grounding. "They won't get to yo

r and excitement wove together in a sickening mix that left my

voice low. "You make it im

ing closer, lips brushing my

o the desire, the danger, the power he exuded. Julian had awakened something in me I couldn't co

"I need you to trust me. Not just with this, but

pooling in my chest and lower.

every bit of that trust. The next few days are going to be dangerous, Elena. And

or thrilled-or both. Julian's intensity w

my mind, my loyalty-all of it was caught in the tangled web Julian had spun around me. And now, with enemies watching, thr

we had started. Not from the

d the guilt, beneath the consequen