torm passed in a mist that made the hedges appear

ures, the enormous space seemed empty and reverberated without Adrian's voice. He had always filled spaces

rly a decade. She placed a basket of fresh bread

k you, Marta. And she refused to

at, footsteps intruded.

marble. His suit was impeccable, his tie blood-red against the somber m

d, taking a seat at the far end of th

deliberate calm. I don't rec

longer require your invitations. This house, this fortune, belongs to the

forced her voice steady. It b

was a fool in many ways. Easily manipulated when drunk. Easily di

not give him the satisfaction of flinching. Is there a reason yo

are forces circling, Elena. Men Adrian owed, men who will not tak

sked coldly. With m

lena met his gaze across the long table,

voice dropped, low and venomo

the marble like a gavel,

Marta returned moments later, clutching a small silver tray. Upon it lay a

gate, Señora,

ightly. The handwriting was unfamiliar,

ut its words sank lik

ath was no accide

reathe. Then she folded the letter carefully, hid

a lied, tucking it into

an's death had already left her expose

ork, though her eyes barely registered the words. The empire Adrian left her was vast real estate, shipping, inv

weakly, throwing soft light against the dark shelves. She had just begun to

an C

her had expected him, as though his presenc

it of appearing unannounced

assessing. And you have an unfortun

you mean? Okay then, a note w

out this? She then

trails, he said. The

sly toward her pocket. Then y

But I'd rather

secret. Yet another part, the weary, frightened part, longed to shar

ening. This isn't idle intimidation. Whoe

spered. The words escaped

pity something steadier, a recognition of truth

and an inexplicable pull toward him.

sity. If Adrian was murdered, your life is

een them. Elena's pulse quickened. Damian was dangerous, perhaps more dangero

tensity of his gaze. Then tell m

nothing is as it seems. Not your staff, not your allies, not even your f

already gambled everything, once her hear

re into the shadows of her house, she won