a's

pressed down on me like a heavy, invisible hand. Every time Leo was near, I could feel it,the air thickening, my nerves tigh

ept

that's what I

breath as I made my way to Mira's room. "You're h

everything? Leo Weston wasn't just a man,he was a force of nature, a storm waiting to destroy a

er usual spot by the window, knees tucked to her chest, staring

ide her. "Do you want to read today? I

er voice so quiet it a

n my chest. At least she'd spoken. "Okay, no books tod

hifted. The air grew heavier, colder. I

e

yes fixed on me like a predator siz

shakier than I'd inten

e, his gaze sharp and piercing. The space between us f

nally, his voice low and smooth, though there

off guard. "I'm just doing my job,

e than that. Mira trusts you." His gaze never wavered, pinning me i

ht to them, something unspoken that sent a chill down my

ing intensity. "You're different," he murmured, taki

repeated, my p

't reach his eyes. "The people who come through m

as every instinct screamed at me to ste

ord, his expression harden

ng to keep my voice steady. "You'r

ced with a dangerous edge. "I'

tantly, his name tastin

ce, something that made my skin prickle. He stepped closer, his gaz

proximity, the way his presence filled the hallway, left me breathl

id softly, his words like a pr

t burned like fire. My breath caught, my heart racing as heat flood

stepped back, should've created space, but I couldn't move. His eyes were

u acting like this?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

it. "Appropriate?" he repeated, his tone mocki

. "You hired me to take care of Mira, not... this." I

st the wall. "You don't understand how this works, Lyra," he said, his voice

to... whatever you're trying to do right now," I said, my voice trembling

ving into a dangerous smirk. "You're already in,

ore. "Why are you doing this?" I asked again, my voice quieter now, almost pl

through my body. "You're more than that," he whispered, h

in your world," I said, my breath catchi

don't. But that's exactly why you're here. You think you're

budge. "How do you know that? I'm not yours, Leo, you don't own me,

, something raw. "You already are," he sa

k with heat and unspoken truths. I couldn't tell if

Blackwood," he said, his voice sharp and commanding. "He won't stop unti

n the hallway, leaving me trembling against the wall,

had I gotten