《Secrets Between Them: The Truth is...》 Five Minutes... Not Long Enough Elliot Cummings entered his study, the blend of leather and coffee a familiar comfort. His desk, a commanding piece of mahogany, faced inward, ensuring anyone seated before him would take in the estate¡¯s sweeping view through the bay window with towering bookshelves lining the surrounding walls. A notification blinked on his laptop: Zoom meeting in five minutes. Ava¡¯s urgent message had left no room for negotiation. Ava and Ben Chase¡¯s faces appeared on Zoom. ¡°Elliot, I¡¯ve been going over the details of Maria and Macon,¡± said Ava. ¡°Something doesn¡¯t add up.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve been overheard discussing time off¡ªtwo weeks for their anniversary,¡± Ava continued. ¡°It¡¯s minor, sure. But when I was at the estate last week, they weren¡¯t where they were supposed to be during the John Masters incident. Their movements don¡¯t align with the security rotations we set.¡± Ben added, ¡°We cross-referenced their logs. Minor inconsistencies, but enough to raise flags. If they were just careless, that¡¯s one thing. If they¡¯re compromised¡­¡± said Ben. ¡°Do you think they¡¯re a threat?¡± Ava hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s too early to say,¡± she admitted. ¡°Ben and I don¡¯t trust coincidences, and neither should you. I recommend we approve their vacation request.¡± ¡°Let them leave?¡± ¡°And have Steven and Anna monitor their activities discreetly. We can also insert a new couple into their positions. Fresh eyes, as Ava suggested.¡± Elliot exhaled slowly. ¡°Fine. But this stays between us for now. Alexia doesn¡¯t need to be pulled into this.¡± Ava exchanged a glance with Ben. ¡°Elliot, we¡¯ve discussed this, and you should tell Alexia what¡¯s going on. Not everything, just what she needs to know for now¡­ because her life is in more danger than yours.¡± Elliot felt the weight of Ava¡¯s hit like a stone, the sharp edge of truth cutting deep. He looked at Ben and Ava, thoughts rushing, flashes from the past five years unraveling in his mind. ¡°Elliot,¡± said Ava, ¡°let¡¯s strategize and ensure we stay on the same page. We¡¯ll need updates as situation arise.¡± When the meeting ended, Elliot acted. Elliot buried himself in researching and piecing together the intel. When he briefed Steven and Anna later about the couple¡¯s replacement, their calm acknowledgment reassured him they understood what was at stake. Later that evening, Elliot knocked lightly on the studio door and quietly entered. He saw her seated on a stool, brush poised midair, eyes focused on the chaotic mix of colors before her. ¡°Alexia.¡± She jumped at his sudden interruption. ¡°Elliot, what are you doing here?¡± ¡°I wanted to check on you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Elliot moved closer, the scent of paint and turpentine thick in the air, mingling with the tension between them. ¡°This piece¡­ it¡¯s different from your usual style.¡± Alexia hesitated before answering. ¡°Everything feels different lately.¡± Her words carried a weight Elliot couldn¡¯t ignore. He moved closer. ¡°Alexia, about last night¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t finished¡­ there are things I need to tell you. Things I should have told you years ago.¡± ¡°And you think now¡¯s the time for honesty, Elliot? After everything?¡± ¡°Yes. Because I can¡¯t keep lying to you. Not when everything is at stake.¡± She folded her arms. ¡°You have five minutes. Make them count.¡± Elliot hesitated for only a moment before stepping closer. ¡°I need you to know¡­ I never wanted to hurt you. And I know that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ve done. But there¡¯s more to all of this than you realize.¡± ¡°Then stop talking in riddles and just say it, Elliot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying¡­ but it¡¯s not that simple. I¡¯ve made choices to protect you, to protect us. Choices that I can¡¯t undo, no matter how much I want to.¡± ¡°Protect me from what, Elliot? From you?¡± The words hit him harder than he expected. ¡°From people who would use you to get to me. People who don¡¯t care who they hurt in the process.¡± Elliot took a deep breath. ¡°Do you remember ever feeling like someone was watching you these past few years? Maybe things you can¡¯t explain?¡± ¡°Watching me? What are you talking about, Elliot?¡± ¡°I mean exactly that. Moments where something felt¡­ off, but you brushed it aside.¡± Alexia recalled moments that felt off¡ªa car following too long, the sense of someone watching. She had always chalked it up to paranoia. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she finally admitted. ¡°Maybe.¡± ¡°It does matter¡­ because those weren¡¯t coincidences. I¡¯ve been keeping tabs on you¡ªkeeping you safe¡ªeven when you didn¡¯t know it.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°You what?¡± ¡°I had to, Alexia. I couldn¡¯t take chances. You¡¯re part of my world now, whether you like it or not. And in my world, people go to great lengths to destroy what I care about.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not part of your world, Elliot. I never asked for this. And you had no right¡ªno right¡ªto interfere in my life like that!¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, I had no right. But I did it anyway, because losing you wasn¡¯t an option. It never has been.¡± ¡°Who do you think you are? You don¡¯t get to decide that for me.¡± ¡°I know¡­ but if you knew the things I know, the threats you¡¯ve never seen, you might understand why I made those choices.¡± She stood up to walk away. Elliot grabbed her arm gently and moved in front of her. She looked into his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say to you, Elliot.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t say anything right now.¡± In a moment of impulsive need, Elliot mutters, ¡°Five minutes¡­ not long enough to explain, but this is¡­¡± as he leans in and kisses her¡ªit¡¯s raw, desperate, and full of everything he can¡¯t say. Alexia resists at first, her hands pressing against his chest, but the intensity overwhelms her. She melts into the kiss, pauses and whispers, ¡°Damn you, Elliot,¡± and he pauses, looks directly into her eyes, then responds with another kiss¡ªit¡¯s soft, passionate, and full of everything he can say. The truth is¡­ Elliot¡¯s voice was low, almost a whisper, ¡°Well, where will we land going down this rabbit¡­?¡± Alexia cut him off. ¡°Shut up. This is not the time to¡­¡± Elliot laid awake for hours while holding Alexia close. The weight of his choices¡ªand the truths he¡¯d shared¡ªstill pressed heavily on his chest. Morning came too quickly. He left a note and hurried to his room to shower and prepare for his meeting with Ben and Ava within the hour. ack in his study, just in time for the meeting. ¡°Hello Elliott,¡± said Ben. ¡°Hello, Ben and Ava.¡± ¡°We have a lot to cover that¡¯s very important,¡± said Ava. ¡°Regarding Maria and Macon¡­ we¡¯ve reviewed their logs again. They¡¯re clean. Their vacation request was genuine, but the situation underscores a bigger issue.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, but what¡¯s the issue?¡± ¡°The fact we had doubts in the first place says something about the state of things. We¡¯ve grown complacent,¡± said Ben. ¡°Harris and Sarah are arriving at 2 pm and should be at your estate by 4 pm. They¡¯ll oversee Steven and Anna directly. I trust them completely.¡± ¡°What¡¯s their cover story?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve told the staff that Macon and Maria were reassigned for breaking protocol. Harris and Sarah are stepping in as replacements, and that¡¯s all anyone needs to know for now,¡± said Ben. ¡°Elliot, watch what you say to anyone beyond these four. For the time being, trust no one else. We¡¯re checking Myra and Edward also.¡± ¡°Why are you eyeing Myra and Edward?¡± ¡°When we were all at the club dancing¡­ they were unusual for a couple just starting to get to know each other on the dance floor.¡± ¡°They knew of each other before.¡± ¡°They were doing a lot more talking than dancing and flirting. Elliot, they acted like a couple who had been together for a few years. Think about how you were when you noticed Alexia for the first time.¡± Ben¡¯s words sent Elliot back to the night they met. The gala had been a blur of faces and formalities, but Alexia stood out like no one else. Elliot¡¯s thoughts wandered to the night he met Alexia. She was radiant in her crimson red dress that stood out in the golden light of the gala. She stood beside Myra and her boyfriend, but from the moment their eyes met, Elliot knew she was unforgettable. When the orchestra began playing a slow dance, he asked her to dance. By the end of the evening, he had charmed her into leaving the gala with him to find somewhere quieter. That night, he purchased a painting from the event. It was hers, Alexia Marque. When Alexia asked him later why he bought it, he¡¯d told her the moment he saw it, he felt its passion. Its title, ¡°Passion,¡± was fitting. That painting still hangs in his bedroom¡ªa reminder of their beginning. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± said Elliot, returning to the present. ¡°I was just as captivated then as I am now.¡± Ava noticed a subtle shift in Elliot¡¯s demeanor. ¡°You told her, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I told her enough to protect her.¡± ¡°Be sure to tell her not to tell Myra anything regarding the security at the estate. Make it clear as to whom she can trust,¡± said Ben. ¡°Elliot, be careful. Alexia is walking a tightrope without a safety net,¡± Ava added. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Elliot, Harris is bringing something you¡¯ll need¡ªa new tool I just completed and tested. It¡¯s the most advanced listening device detector I¡¯ve ever developed. Give one to Alexia when the time is right. Trust me, you¡¯ll thank me later. If you need anything, contact us before our meeting tomorrow,¡± said Ava. The Zoom call ended. Elliot spent the afternoon planning for the staff meeting in six hours and contemplating how to approach Alexia. He knew she needed to know more, but he had to be careful how he approached her. It was early evening in Rome when the Zoom call ended. Ava and Ben sat together in their home office. Ben noticed Ava was quieter than usual. ¡°You¡¯re keeping a close eye on Elliot. Do you think he¡¯s losing control?¡± ¡°Not losing control, but he¡¯s different. Alexia changed him. He¡¯s unraveling, but in a way that might just save them both.¡± ¡°Our push seemed to have worked. Do you think she¡¯s ready for what¡¯s coming?¡± Ava hesitated. ¡°She¡¯s stronger than she realizes, but she¡¯s still in the dark about so much. I just hope Elliot knows what he¡¯s doing. We¡¯ll talk with him tomorrow.¡± ¡°By the way, I¡¯m keeping a tally of who¡¯s unraveling faster¡ªElliot or Alexia. My bet¡¯s on Elliot.¡± ¡°I agree,¡± Ava said with a giggle. ¡°I must stop giggling so much.¡± ¡°No, you don¡¯t. I love that giggle because it¡¯s you. How are you and our babies feeling?¡± Ava rolled her eyes, giggling again. ¡°You have seven more months before you meet them.¡± At precisely 4 pm, a taxi pulled up to the estate. Harris and Sarah stepped out, dressed casually. Each pulled a large suitcase, their demeanor calm and unassuming. Their low-key entrance was intentional, designed to reinforce their role as quiet replacements for Macon and Maria. Georgia, the housekeeper, greeted them and escorted them to Elliot¡¯s study. Elliot greeted them, confirming their backstory was airtight, ensuring no suspicion from the other staff members. Steven and Anna attended the meeting as planned. Harris took charge. ¡°Steven, Anna, your contributions to the estate have been nothing short of essential. We¡¯re here to give you the tools and support you need to keep everything running smoothly.¡± He handed Elliot, Steven, and Anna small devices resembling an ordinary pen. ¡°This is Ava¡¯s latest innovation. It detects listening devices¡ªhidden in walls, furniture, vehicles, or clothing.¡± ¡°Use it daily, and report any findings directly to us,¡± Sarah added. As the meeting ended, Harris handed Elliot an extra pen-sized detector. ¡°Give this to Alexia when the time is right from Ava.¡± Steven and Anna then took Harris and Sarah on a tour of the estate, showing them security checkpoints, living quarters, and the grounds. During the tour, Harris asked pointed questions about the routines and behaviors of the remaining staff couples (Jonathan/Georgia, Ricardo/Marcella, and Jacob/Sofia). Later that evening, Elliot found Alexia in the studio. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, sketching something abstract on a piece of paper. Elliot hesitated at the door before entering. ¡°We need to talk.¡± ¡°Is that code for more secrets you¡¯re ready to dump on me?¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t about keeping secrets. It¡¯s about keeping you safe.¡± He explained the arrival of Harris and Sarah and their role in overseeing security. ¡°Anna will be spending more time with you. It¡¯s not just about helping you¡ªit¡¯s about keeping an eye on things.¡± ¡°Keeping an eye on me, you mean?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s the estate. There are things going on that you don¡¯t see yet, and I need you to trust me.¡± ¡°And¡­ you can¡¯t tell Myra what¡¯s happening. Not yet. Just keep things¡­ normal between you two for now. Can you do that?¡± Alexia stared at him for a long moment. For once, his eyes did not lie. ¡°I don¡¯t like it, but fine. For now.¡± As Elliot turned to leave, Alexia surprised herself by saying, ¡°Wait.¡± Elliot looked back. ¡°Stay¡­ hmm¡­¡± Elliot moved closer. His voice was low, almost a whisper. ¡°The truth is¡­ I never stopped want¡ª¡± Shut Down The next morning, Elliot sat at his desk in the study, watching Harris and Sarah unpack their equipment. They had only arrived at the estate yesterday afternoon, but already, their presence had shifted the atmosphere. Unlike the other staff, they weren¡¯t here to blend in. Their job was simple¡ªreinforce and upgrade security. But there was more to it than that. Sarah set a small black device on the desk. ¡°This is what Ava and I developed,¡± she said. ¡°Once installed, it embeds advanced countermeasures into your system. It automatically blocks unauthorized access and masks outgoing transmissions.¡± Elliot picked up the device, turning it over between his fingers. It was simple-looking¡ªjust a black rectangle. ¡°Can it be detected?¡± Harris shook his head. ¡°Not with conventional tools. It blends seamlessly into your system. To anyone trying to breach it, everything will appear normal.¡± Sarah added, ¡°This isn¡¯t just defensive¡ªit¡¯s offensive. It tracks any interference and reroutes the signals, sending false data back to whoever is attempting to infiltrate.¡± ¡°What about Alexia¡¯s private security to her suite? It was just completed two months ago.¡± ¡°Because the equipment is recent, it would take less than two hours to update her private security system. We have already checked her system, and it is secure,¡± said Harris. ¡°We should do your system first, then Alexia¡¯s, then the rest of the estate,¡± said Sarah. Elliot set the device down. ¡°Alexia and Anna just left to go shopping. Start with her system now, then update mine, followed by the estate. Message Anna to keep Alexia out until you message that it is clear to return.¡± Sarah nodded. ¡°That was Ava¡¯s directive as well.¡± ¡°Great, we¡¯re on the same page.¡± Sarah booted up Elliot¡¯s mainframe, inserting a custom encryption module she had programmed with Ava. The system beeped before stabilizing. ¡°This will take about thirty minutes,¡± Sarah said, eyes on the screen. ¡°Once integrated, no one¡ªnot even the best hackers¡ªwill be able to access Alexia¡¯s or your private servers.¡± ¡°Ava wanted you to know this upgrade includes hidden security layers even within your own estate¡¯s system. That means additional countermeasures that aren¡¯t visible on the primary network. If someone inside the estate tries to tamper with security, they won¡¯t see these layers at all,¡± said Harris. ¡°Meaning?¡± ¡°Meaning even your own internal staff won¡¯t know everything that¡¯s been updated. You and Anna are the only ones with full access. Ava trusts Anna to protect Alexia and you. She is your top agent in your estate. Trust her instincts,¡± said Sarah. Elliot exhaled. He had expected an upgrade, but not to this extent. Ava and Ben weren¡¯t just cautious. They were paranoid¡ªand for good reason. ¡°Sarah, how long have you worked with Ava?¡± Sarah¡¯s fingers flew across the keyboard as she replied, ¡°Off and on for three years. But I¡¯ve known her longer.¡± ¡°Ava and Ben are both geniuses,¡± Elliot muttered, watching the screen fill with layers of code. Sarah let out a quiet laugh. ¡°If you only knew to what extent.¡± ¡°Working with them is a privilege. I¡¯m just glad they¡¯re on our side,¡± said Harris. Sarah nodded in agreement. ¡°I¡¯m not joking, Elliot. If Ava and Ben ever turned against us, it wouldn¡¯t be a fight, it would be a massacre.¡± Elliot absorbed that statement in silence. He had seen glimpses of their brilliance, but he always thought there was more to them beneath the surface. ¡°I agree,¡± said Elliot. ¡°One last thing... has Ava given you the five-piece jewelry set for Alexia?¡± asked Sarah. Elliot nodded. ¡°She gave it to me before they left for Rome two days ago.¡± ¡°Good. Give it to Alexia as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Sarah exchanged a look with Harris before replying. ¡°It¡¯s already saved at least five wives of our clients in the past year. Ava designed it to be undetectable¡ªall five pieces hold multiple tracking devices and a built-in distress signal.¡± Elliot¡¯s grip on his coffee mug tightened. Alexia has no idea how deep this all ran. Sarah continued, ¡°If you ever need to find her, it¡¯ll take seconds. But more importantly, if she ever needs you... she won¡¯t have to call.¡± Elliot glanced at the black case storing the jewelry. Tonight, he¡¯d make sure Alexia had it¡ªeven if she didn¡¯t know why. The boutique art store had the familiar scent of oil paints, fresh canvas, and aged paper. Alexia took a slow breath, letting the atmosphere settle on her nerves. It had been a long time since she had browsed a store like this¡ªwithout worry, without second-guessing every movement around her. Anna walked beside her, silent but observant, her gaze sweeping over the aisles with an alertness Alexia recognized. Even though Anna didn¡¯t act overtly protective, Alexia knew she was mentally mapping the room¡ªchecking exits, noting faces. ¡°You¡¯re my bodyguard now, right? Might as well make yourself useful.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me. I might start making executive decisions on your color choices.¡± Alexia gasped in mock offense. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Anna plucked a bright green tube of paint from the shelf and held it up. ¡°Step out of the tortured artist aesthetic. Try something lively.¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Alexia shook her head. ¡°That color does not belong in my work.¡± Anna gave her a knowing look. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s the problem.¡± Alexia paused, her fingers tracing over deep blues and crimsons. Without thinking, she picked up a familiar shade¡ªa red close to what she had used for a certain painting. The one that still hung in Elliot¡¯s bedroom. Anna noticed. ¡°You paint with a lot of red and black.¡± Alexia hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t think about it. It just... happens.¡± Anna studied her carefully. ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s something deeper than that.¡± Alexia tried to shake the thought, but it stuck with her. She had never analyzed why those colors spoke to her. Painting had always been instinctual, something she didn¡¯t need to dissect. Instead of answering, she tucked the paint under her arm and moved down the aisle. As Alexia reached for a fine detail brush, the sensation hit her¡ªa slow prickle at the base of her neck, like a thread pulled tight. It wasn¡¯t the temperature. It wasn¡¯t the music. It was something else. She turned her head, scanning the store. Everything appeared normal. A couple flipping through sketchbooks, a clerk ringing up a sale, an older woman browsing watercolors. Still, the feeling lingered. Anna caught the hesitation in her movement. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Alexia forced a small smile. ¡°No... just thought I saw someone I knew.¡± Anna didn¡¯t push, but Alexia noticed how subtly her stance changed¡ªshoulders squared, posture alert. Unbeknownst to Alexia, Taylor and Sheila Martin were already in position. Taylor stood near the front, flipping through a sketchpad like a distracted shopper. Sheila browsed in the back, pretending to examine a row of brushes. Taylor looked toward the entrance. A man lingered by the doorway, pretending to browse. But he wasn¡¯t looking at anything. Taylor¡¯s grip on the sketchpad tightened. He lifted his phone, pretending to check a message. ¡°Possible interest in the target,¡± he murmured under his breath. ¡°No movement yet.¡± Sheila, without looking up, responded. ¡°Noted.¡± The man lingered a moment longer before slipping outside. Taylor and Sheila didn¡¯t follow. No need to cause alarm¡ªnot yet. Anna picked up a pack of fine brushes and handed them to Alexia. ¡°Here. These are better than the ones you¡¯re holding.¡± ¡°Are you seriously critiquing my brush choices now?¡± ¡°Consider it an intervention.¡± Alexia shook her head with a quiet laugh. It felt normal¡ªthis back and forth, this small moment of peace in a life that had been nothing but chaos. As they reached the checkout, Anna stretched. ¡°Coffee. We need coffee. I assume you drink it black and brooding, just like your paintings?¡± Alexia rolled her eyes. ¡°Not everything about me is dark and dramatic.¡± Anna gave her a side glance. ¡°Sure.¡± Alexia smiled. She liked Anna. More than that¡ªshe trusted her. As they stepped outside, Taylor and Sheila followed, ensuring that a moment of peace remained just that. For now. Alexia had just settled into the comfort of her room when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen¡ªMyra. She hesitated before answering, still processing everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. With the estate¡¯s security reinforced, and despite their conversation, she still wasn¡¯t sure what to believe about everything he had told her. ¡°Hey, Myra.¡± ¡°Finally, you pick up,¡± Myra said. ¡°I was starting to think you were avoiding me.¡± Alexia rolled her eyes, relaxing at Myra¡¯s teasing. ¡°No, just... a lot going on.¡± ¡°Yeah, I figured. So, how¡¯s life in billionaire land? Have you adjusted to being the queen of the estate yet?¡± Alexia let out a soft laugh. ¡°Not exactly.¡± She glanced around the lavishly decorated room, still feeling like a guest in Elliot¡¯s world. ¡°It¡¯s... complicated.¡± There was a pause before Myra spoke again, her voice softer. ¡°Complicated how?¡± Alexia hesitated. She wasn¡¯t sure how much she should say. Elliot had warned her to keep things to herself, but this was Myra¡ªher best friend. The one person who had always been in her corner. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Alexia admitted. ¡°Elliot is... different. Protective. Overbearing, even.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not exactly new, is it?¡± ¡°No. But it feels different this time.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Myra said, ¡°you know my stance on men who think they can run your life for you.¡± ¡°Oh, I remember. ¡®If he tells you what to do, set something on fire.¡¯¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Myra said with a laugh. ¡°Not literally, of course. But don¡¯t let him steamroll you, Alexia. You¡¯re stronger than that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just about him, Myra. There¡¯s a lot going on, things I don¡¯t quite understand yet.¡± Another pause. Myra¡¯s tone turned more cautious. ¡°You sound... uneasy.¡± ¡°I guess I am,¡± Alexia admitted. ¡°It just feels like there are things happening around me that I¡¯m not seeing clearly.¡± ¡°Well, if you ever need an escape, lunch is always on the table,¡± Myra offered. ¡°Just say the word, and we¡¯ll go wherever you want.¡± ¡°I appreciate it, but I have a gallery deadline looming over me. I can¡¯t disappear right now.¡± ¡°You sure?¡± Myra pressed. ¡°You sound like you need a break.¡± Alexia hesitated, feeling an odd sense of tension she couldn¡¯t quite place. Maybe it was just the stress of everything with Elliot. Maybe it was paranoia creeping in. ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± she said. ¡°But I¡¯ll let you know if that changes.¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Myra said. Then, after a brief pause, ¡°Take care of yourself, okay? And don¡¯t let Mr. Billionaire push you around.¡± Alexia laughed. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± As the call ended, she sat there for a moment, staring at the phone. Something about the conversation felt... off. Myra had been her usual self¡ªsarcastic, teasing, affectionate¡ªbut there was something in her tone. A hesitation. A carefulness. Maybe she was just overthinking it. Or maybe, deep down, she had the sinking feeling that things weren¡¯t as simple as they seemed. The air in Elliot¡¯s private suite felt different from the rest of the estate¡ªmore lived-in. The space carried an understated elegance, but its warmth came from the personal touches Alexia hadn¡¯t expected. A well-worn leather chair beside the fireplace, books stacked haphazardly on a side table, the faint scent of cedar and something uniquely him lingering in the air. She took a slow step inside, eyes scanning the room until they landed on something that made her breath hitch. A painting. Her painting, ¡°Passion.¡±. The one she had created years ago, a moment frozen in time¡ªher and Elliot together, before everything fell apart. Her fingers traced the edge of the frame, her heart tightening. He had kept it. All this time. She turned to face him. ¡°Why?¡± Elliot held her gaze. ¡°Because that night... it was the first time I realized I wanted something real.¡± Alexia swallowed hard, torn between anger and something deeper, something she didn¡¯t want to name. ¡°You could have fooled me,¡± she murmured, voice softer than she intended. Elliot took a step closer, his presence steady but not imposing. ¡°I know I don¡¯t deserve your trust, Alexia. But I¡¯m asking for it anyway.¡± She inhaled. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to do this.¡± Elliot¡¯s phone vibrated, but he ignored it. ¡°Then let me show you.¡± His hand brushed against hers, a fleeting touch¡ªlight, tentative, waiting for her to pull away. But she didn¡¯t. Blindly, she leaned in ever so slightly, their breaths mingling in the space between them. Elliot tilted his head, waiting. He wouldn¡¯t take more than she was willing to give. The distance between them vanished, their lips barely touching. A deafening alarm shattered the silence. The estate¡¯s security system blared, the sharp, jarring noise ripping through the moment like a blade. Elliot moved instantly, instinct taking over as he crossed the room in three quick strides, activating a hidden security panel. ¡°Elliot,¡± Alexia breathed, her pulse still racing from more than just the alarm. ¡°What is happening?¡± Elliot¡¯s expression hardened as he locked down the suite, his voice steady but sharp. ¡°We¡¯re on lockdown until we find out who¡¯s out there¡ªand what they want.¡± A second later, his phone vibrated against the desk. He snatched it up without hesitation. Harris¡¯s voice was low and urgent. ¡°This isn¡¯t a drill. Someone breached the perimeter.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± He looked at Alexia, standing frozen near the painting, her expression a mix of confusion and concealed fear. He went to Alexia and cuddled her. She could hear the beat of his heart slowing down, which made the tension release from her shoulders, her breathing slowing down. He took a breath, forcing himself to sound calm, controlled. His voice dropped low. ¡°The truth is... I have my own private... and you¡¯re safe.¡± Breach and Jewelry The sharp blare of the security alarm cut off abruptly. Silence rushed in like a vacuum, thick with the weight of what had just happened. Elliot¡¯s arms remained around Alexia for a second longer before he pulled back slightly, just enough to see her face. Her breathing was still uneven, but her expression was obvious frustration overriding fear. Her voice sliced through the tension. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Harris stood near the security panel, fingers moving over the console as he reset the system. A soft beep confirmed the lockdown had been lifted. Sarah¡¯s voice came from across the room, her focus on her laptop screen. ¡°Security held. No breach.¡± Alexia shook her head. ¡°Then why the alarm?¡± Sarah tapped a few more keys. ¡°Someone tried.¡± Elliot stepped back, rubbing his hand over his jaw as he looked between them. ¡°Talk to me.¡± Harris didn¡¯t glance up as he spoke. ¡°A single individual approached the perimeter. They didn¡¯t get past the first barrier before the system locked them out.¡± Alexia exhaled sharply. ¡°And you¡¯re saying this is normal?¡± Sarah let out a slow breath, turning the laptop so they could see the grainy security footage. A figure, blurred by the night vision filter, moved toward the estate¡¯s side entrance. They paused at the panel, fingers hovering over the keypad, but after a few seconds, they stepped back. Realizing they were caught, the figure turned and walked away, disappearing into the trees. ¡°They weren¡¯t guessing. They knew where to go,¡± said Anna, her tone even. Elliot¡¯s gaze stayed on the computer screen. His fingers pressed against the edge of the desk, controlled but tense. ¡°So, what now? You think this is someone from inside?¡± asked Alexia. No one answered right away. The weight of the question settled over the room. Finally, Elliot exhaled. ¡°We can¡¯t rule it out.¡± Alexia¡¯s arms crossed over her chest, her fingers gripping her forearms. ¡°And how long have you known something like this could happen?¡± Elliot didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Long enough to be ready for it.¡± She let out a slow breath, pressing her fingers to her temples before looking at Sarah again. ¡°That footage¡ªcan you get a better angle?¡± Sarah shook her head. ¡°Already tried. They stayed in the blind spots, but it wasn¡¯t accidental. Whoever it was, they knew exactly where the weak points were. They just didn¡¯t expect the upgrades.¡± Silence stretched between them before Alexia finally nodded, but something in her expression had closed off. ¡°I need a minute.¡± Elliot watched as she turned toward the door, pausing just briefly before walking out. He exhaled as she disappeared down the hallway, then turned back to the others. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± The air in the meeting room carried the weight of too many unspoken thoughts. The large screen at the end of the table loaded, waiting for Ava and Ben to join. Harris leaned over the laptop, fingers moving fast. ¡°Footage is ready.¡± Sarah sat forward, scanning the security logs. ¡°There¡¯s something else. The system wasn¡¯t triggered from outside alone.¡± ¡°Meaning?¡± asked Elliot. Anna answered before Sarah could. ¡°Someone inside the estate activated a security override at the same time the external attempt happened.¡± Steven let out a slow breath. ¡°Inside job.¡± Sarah clicked on a log, pulling up the estate¡¯s internal access records. ¡°Only a few people have the clearance to do that. Jonathan wasn¡¯t accounted for.¡± ¡°Jonathan knows this estate better than anyone.¡± Elliot¡¯s fingers drummed against the table as Ava¡¯s and Ben¡¯s faces appeared. Ava¡¯s gaze swept over them, sharp and assessing. ¡°Who?¡± Harris didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Jonathan.¡± Ben didn¡¯t react. He only tilted his head slightly, as if he had already expected it. ¡°Figured,¡± he muttered. Ava studied the footage, then turned back to them. ¡°So that¡¯s the inside angle. What about the outside?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know yet.¡± ¡°Then you have a second problem,¡± said Ava. The weight of those words settled into the room. And everyone knew¡ªthis wasn¡¯t over. A few minutes later, Elliot stood outside Alexia¡¯s suite for a moment before knocking. The tension from the night still sat heavy on his shoulders, but there was something else¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t quite name. A few moments passed before the door opened. Alexia stood there, arms crossed, her face unreadable. ¡°Did you figure it out?¡± she asked, skipping any greeting. Elliot exhaled. ¡°Some of it.¡± Alexia stepped back, allowing him inside. The suite was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the lamp next to the couch. She had changed into a loose-fitting t-shirt and yoga pants¡ªcomfortable, but the way she held herself showed she was anything but.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. He shut the door behind him, taking in the minor details. The room smelled faintly of the lavender lotion she always used. A book lay faced down on the nightstand, abandoned. Her phone sat beside it, with the screen dark. Elliot walked further inside. ¡°The security system held. Whoever tried to get in never made it past the first layer.¡± Alexia let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Comforting.¡± ¡°It should be,¡± he said, his voice calm. ¡°Because it means the upgrades worked. If this had been a week ago, they might have gotten through.¡± Alexia¡¯s expression shifted¡ªfrustration, wariness, something else. ¡°And you still think this is an inside job?¡± ¡°Someone inside the estate triggered an override at the same time the external attempt happened.¡± Her fingers tapped against her arm, a telltale sign of her mind working through something. ¡°So, what happens now?¡± Elliot took a step closer. ¡°We find out who it was. And we make sure it doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± Alexia studied him for a long moment. Then she sighed, shaking her head. ¡°I don¡¯t like this.¡± ¡°Neither do I,¡± he admitted. She hesitated. ¡°Elliot... be honest. How dangerous is this?¡± His jaw tensed slightly, but he forced himself to answer. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet.¡± A silence stretched between them before Alexia finally looked away. ¡°Figures.¡± Elliot watched her for a moment, then reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, velvet black case. Alexia eyed it warily. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Something Ava gave me before she left.¡± He opened the case, revealing five pieces of crimson-red jewelry. A necklace, earrings, bracelet, ring, and an ankle bracelet¡ªeach stunning, elegant, yet deceptively simple. Alexia frowned. ¡°Jewelry? Now?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just jewelry,¡± Elliot said, his voice quieter now. ¡°Each piece has tracking and built-in distress signals. It¡¯s a safeguard. If anything happens, I¡¯ll know where you are¡ªI won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡± Alexia¡¯s gaze dropped back to the set, her fingers brushing over the ring. ¡°You¡¯re actually serious.¡± ¡°Dead serious.¡± She hesitated, then picked up the ring, turning it over between her fingers. It was beautifully designed¡ªdelicate but sturdy. ¡°And you expect me to wear all of this?¡± ¡°Not all at once,¡± Elliot said. ¡°But at least one piece, always.¡± Alexia shook her head, exhaling. ¡°This is insane.¡± ¡°Maybe. But it¡¯s necessary.¡± She didn¡¯t argue further. Instead, she slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. Elliot watched her. ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t take it off.¡± Alexia looked up at him. ¡°Fine. But you better promise me something in return.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°That you¡¯re telling me everything.¡± Elliot met her gaze. ¡°I will.¡± The words settled between them¡ªunspoken truths hanging in the air, heavy but real. Alexia exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "You should go. You have a meeting in the morning." Elliot didn¡¯t move. For the first time that night, she saw it¡ªthe hesitation. The shift. He wasn¡¯t ready to walk away. He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over hers where they rested against the ring. The touch was brief, but it lingered just enough. "I¡¯ll stay." Alexia blinked, caught off guard. "What?" "Just for a while." His voice was low, steady. "If that¡¯s okay." Something in her chest tightened, then relaxed. She didn¡¯t want to need him here. But she did. Without answering, she turned and grabbed the remote, turning on the TV. A random movie was already queued, the opening credits rolling. Alexia curled up on the couch without a word, leaving just enough space beside her. Elliot took the invitation for what it was. Not a surrender, not a request¡ªjust quiet understanding. He sat down next to her, arm resting lightly against the back of the couch. For a while, neither of them spoke. The room was warm, the only sounds coming from the film playing in the background. At some point, Alexia shifted slightly, leaning against him just enough to feel the weight of his presence. Elliot didn¡¯t move away. Instead, he adjusted¡ªone arm settling around her shoulder, pulling her just a little closer. She let him. Minutes passed. Then, in a voice so soft it almost didn¡¯t reach him, Alexia murmured, "I won¡¯t take it off." Elliot pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Good." By the time the movie faded to its final scene, they were both asleep¡ªcurled together on the couch, the ring still snug on her finger. The next morning, Elliot sat in the meeting room, the tension still thick in the air. Harris, Sarah, Anna, and Steven were seated, laptops open, notes in front of them. The large screen at the end of the table refreshed, signaling the incoming connection. Ava and Ben¡¯s faces appeared. ¡°Talk,¡± Ava said without preamble, eyes scanning the room. ¡°What do we have?¡± Harris leaned forward, tapping on his laptop. ¡°We confirmed an inside override happened at the same time as the breach attempt. Only a handful of people have clearance to do that.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Ben asked, his expression unreadable. Sarah clicked on a log, pulling up the estate¡¯s internal access records. ¡°Jonathan wasn¡¯t accounted for. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be near the system last night.¡± Ava¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°And the outside breach?¡± Elliot exhaled. ¡°We don¡¯t have an ID yet, but whoever it was knew exactly where the weak spots were. They didn¡¯t expect the upgrades, though.¡± Ben tilted his head slightly. ¡°You think Jonathan is working with someone?¡± Elliot met his gaze. ¡°I think we can¡¯t rule it out.¡± Ava tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. Then, finally, she spoke. ¡°That means two things. One¡ªwe need to lock down internal access immediately. No one gets in or out of that system without multiple clearances from now on.¡± ¡°And two?¡± Elliot prompted. Ava¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°We need to figure out who the hell was outside that gate.¡± Ben nodded slowly. ¡°Because if they tried once, they¡¯ll try again.¡± The words settled into the room like a heavy weight. And everyone knew¡ªthis wasn¡¯t over. Not by a long shot. The estate had settled into an uneasy stillness. After the meeting, the team had dispersed, each tasked with handling a different piece of the unfolding mystery. But Elliot couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off. He stood in his study, one hand resting on the desk while the other held a glass of water¡ªhis mind too alert for anything stronger. The screen in front of him still displayed the last frame of the security footage: the blurred figure disappearing into the trees. Jonathan. But the timing didn¡¯t sit right. Why now? And why had the external attempt happened at the exact same time? A sharp knock at the door broke his thoughts. Anna stepped inside, her expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re going to want to see this,¡± she said, handing him a tablet. Elliot took it, scanning the data logs Sarah had been running in the background. His grip on the glass tightened. ¡°This can¡¯t be right.¡± Anna crossed her arms. ¡°It is.¡± Elliot exhaled slowly, his mind racing. Someone had accessed the old backup security network¡ªthe one decommissioned four years ago when Ben and Ava overhauled the system. The one that shouldn¡¯t have been active at all. Someone accessed it from inside the estate. ¡°Does Sarah know?¡± ¡°She¡¯s running deeper scans, but this wasn¡¯t a random hack. Someone knew exactly what they were doing.¡± Elliot stared at the screen, then at the faint red glow from the security panel in the room¡¯s corner. A signal light¡ªone that shouldn¡¯t be on unless the old system had been engaged. His fingers hovered over his phone. Then, instead of calling, he walked past Anna toward the hallway. ¡°Alexia¡¯s suite. Now.¡± Alexia had changed into something more comfortable. The alarm, the meeting, the way everyone had looked at each other but said so little. Something wasn¡¯t adding up. She sat cross-legged on the couch, a book open in front of her, though she hadn¡¯t turned the page in fifteen minutes. A knock. Firm. Deliberate. ¡°Alexia, it¡¯s me.¡± She exhaled, setting the book aside before unlocking the door. Elliot stepped inside, Anna right behind him. ¡°Why do I get the feeling this isn¡¯t just a check-in?¡± she asked, eyeing them both. Elliot didn¡¯t waste time. ¡°Someone inside the estate accessed an old security network. One that was supposed to be shut down four years ago.¡± ¡°And you think this is connected to whoever tried to get in?¡± Anna spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s more than just a connection. The system wasn¡¯t breached randomly¡ªit was turned on.¡± ¡°By who?¡± Elliot¡¯s silence made her stomach drop. ¡°We don¡¯t know yet,¡± he admitted. Alexia stared at him, waiting for more. But before he could say another word, a small beep sounded from a table next to the couch. She turned, confused, before realizing it was her laptop. A message. A message she hadn¡¯t been expecting. Alexia walked toward it slowly, her hands suddenly cold as she tapped the keyboard. One new email. No sender. No subject. Just six words. ¡°The truth is... you are..." Dinner for Six The cursor blinked at the end of the message, the final word hammering into Alexia¡¯s mind. The truth is¡­ you are next. The cold weight in her stomach settled deeper. The surrounding room blurred. It wasn¡¯t the message itself¡ªit was the intent behind it. The confidence. The certainty. Whoever sent this wasn¡¯t just taunting her. They were promising something. ¡°Alexia?¡± She flinched, but Elliot had already noticed. He stepped closer, gaze shifting from her to the laptop. She snapped it shut. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°Alexia.¡± Then, without a word, she flipped it open again. The message was still there, bold against the dark screen. ¡°When did this come in?¡± ¡°Just now.¡± ¡°Anna,¡± he said as soon as the line connected. ¡°I need a trace on an email.¡± Alexia didn¡¯t look at him. Elliot moved around the table, lowering himself into the chair across from her. ¡°Talk to me.¡± She didn¡¯t answer right away. ¡°I don¡¯t like threats,¡± she said. ¡°Especially ones that don¡¯t come with a name.¡± ¡°They want a reaction.¡± ¡°They have one.¡± ¡°Not the one they were expecting.¡± She met his gaze. ¡°You sure about that?¡± Elliot¡¯s phone buzzed. He glanced down. Anna¡¯s voice came through the speaker. ¡°No traceable IP. It¡¯s bouncing off multiple servers. This wasn¡¯t sent by an amateur.¡± ¡°Figured as much.¡± ¡°But,¡± Anna continued, ¡°I did get something. The email was sent through an encrypted relay, but the last bounce happened twenty minutes ago¡ªfrom within the city.¡± ¡°They¡¯re close,¡± said Ben. ¡°Very close,¡± Anna confirmed. ¡°And they¡¯re watching.¡± A long silence stretched between them before Elliot exhaled. ¡°Understood. Keep digging.¡± The call ended. Alexia leaned back, crossing her arms. ¡°So, let¡¯s recap. Someone tried to breach your security last night. And now I¡¯m getting personalized messages.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence.¡± ¡°No kidding.¡± His phone buzzed again. This time, the name flashing across the screen was one she recognized. Ava. Elliot answered. ¡°Tell me you have news.¡± Ava didn¡¯t waste time. ¡°We¡¯re coming.¡± ¡°That fast?¡± ¡°You really have to ask?¡± ¡°ETA?¡± ¡°Early afternoon.¡± ¡°Wait. What?¡± asked Alexia. Ava must have heard the confusion in her voice, because her tone lightened. ¡°Don¡¯t sound so surprised, Alexia.¡± ¡°You¡¯re in Rome,¡± she pointed out. ¡°That¡¯s a ten-hour flight at best.¡± ¡°Try seven and a half,¡± Ben¡¯s voice cut in. ¡°That¡¯s not possible unless¡ª¡± ¡°Unless they own the plane,¡± said Elliot. Alexia turned to him. ¡°They¡ªwait, what?¡± ¡°Ava and Ben don¡¯t just own a plane, they fly it. They have full piloting licenses, a private jet, and a crew. Alexia processed that for a second. ¡°Point is, we¡¯re already in the air. See you soon.¡± The line went dead. Alexia stared at the phone. Elliot set it down. ¡°That was¡­¡± she trailed off, still trying to wrap her head around it. ¡°Unexpected.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t even scratched the surface of who they are.¡± But before she could ask, Elliot pushed away from the table.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you more later,¡± he said. His tone was casual, but there was an unspoken weight behind it. ¡°To a point.¡± And just like that, the conversation was over. For now. Later that evening, the restaurant was elegant¡ªlow lighting, quiet ambiance, and an intimate feeling that encouraged conversation. The place where walls didn¡¯t have ears, but the staff knew better than to linger. A round table in the private dining section allowed for easy engagement, six seats fostered connection, not division. When Myra and Edward arrived, the mood remained light. Friendly smiles. Polite greetings. No tension. Nothing to suspect. Edward shook Ben¡¯s hand¡ªfirm, but with a split-second hesitation. The dinner started as it should¡ªlight, effortless. Wine poured into glasses, the distant conversations filling the spaces between words. If this were a normal dinner, nothing would have seemed off. But it wasn¡¯t. After the wine was poured, Ben lifted his glass, effortlessly leading the moment. ¡°To new friends and good company.¡± The glasses clinked. A small but essential ritual¡ªone that broke down barriers, signaled the start of something unguarded. Ava and Ben had never met Myra and Edward before. A single night on the dance floor had given them plenty to study. Now, within minutes, they would understand them better than they understood themselves. Alexia had felt Elliot¡¯s gaze on her earlier, assessing, making sure she was comfortable. It wasn¡¯t a test for her, but a situation to observe. The conversation unfolded easily at first. They talked about travel, business ventures, and a few lighthearted quips about fine dining. Ben let Edward take the lead in certain exchanges. A strategic move. Let him talk. Let him feel in control. Ava, ever watchful, played her role. She complimented Myra¡¯s bracelet. ¡°There it was¡ªthe hesitation. A second too long. Not noticeable to the untrained eye, but Ava noticed. ¡°Oh, thank you! Yes, a gift from Edward.¡± Elliot sipped his wine, quiet but engaged. This was the part he enjoyed¡ªthe slow unraveling of truth through effortless conversation. ¡°You both travel a lot¡ªwhat¡¯s been your favorite place so far?¡± asked Ava. Myra answered first, too quickly. A rehearsed response. ¡°Oh, Paris, definitely. We just love the atmosphere, the food, the romance of it all.¡± Edward nodded slightly. A fraction of a second too late. ¡°Yes, Paris was incredible.¡± Ben took another sip of wine. That wasn¡¯t the city he was expecting. Alexia, for the first time, saw the game in motion. The subtle shifts, the silent hesitations. Ava never pressed, yet caught every inconsistency. Ben let silences stretch just long enough to force a slip. Each pause, each glance¡ªlike a misplaced note in a well-rehearsed song. This wasn¡¯t an interrogation. This was a dance, and it fascinated her. And Alexia was learning the rhythm. ¡°Elliot tells me you¡¯re working on some new projects. Something in real estate, was it?¡± Edward relaxed. A topic he was comfortable with. ¡°Yes, actually. Some exciting ventures are coming up, particularly a resort development overseas.¡± ¡°Overseas? That¡¯s interesting. Whereabouts?¡± It was subtle. Not prying, just interested. Edward hesitated¡ªa pause just long enough to matter. ¡°Singapore. And, uh, a few others we¡¯re looking into.¡± Ben said nothing, just a slow, approving nod. Myra glanced at Edward, and in that moment, Alexia saw it. A moment¡ªno, a shift. They were hiding something. Ava caught it too. She met Ben¡¯s eyes briefly. Just a second. That was all it took. Elliot noticed, but said nothing. This was Ava and Ben¡¯s game. The dinner wrapped up as smoothly as it started. No alarms. No suspicions. Myra and Edward left, unaware of how much they had revealed. Elliot exhaled, swirling the last sip of wine into his glass. ¡°Well?¡± he asked. Ava set her napkin down, smoothing it over her lap before leaning back. ¡°They¡¯re exactly what we thought.¡± Ben stretched his arm over the back of his chair, giving Elliot a half-smile. ¡°And they don¡¯t even know it yet.¡± Alexia noticed, feeling the weight of what had just happened. ¡°You two knew they were lying?¡± Ben glanced at her, amused. ¡°We didn¡¯t know. We just let them tell us.¡± Ava giggled, lifting her wine glass for one last sip. Ben looked at her and smiled. ¡°People always do, if you listen right,¡± said Ben. Alexia let that sink in. She had thought she was just an observer. But now? She realized she had learned more than she expected. Back at the estate, the living room held a soft glow from the recessed lighting, a warmth that contrasted with the calculated precision of the evening. Ava set her wine glass down, the liquid catching the dim light. ¡°Well, that was¡­ informative.¡± Ben leaned back against the couch, stretching an arm across the back. ¡°They think they¡¯re in control.¡± ¡°They aren¡¯t.¡± Alexia sat quietly, processing. She had watched Ava and Ben work through dinner, unraveling details without ever pushing. It had been subtle, effortless. A dance, not an interrogation. Ava glanced at her. ¡°What did you think?¡± Alexia hesitated, then admitted, ¡°It was like watching a conversation I wasn¡¯t fluent in.¡± Ava smiled slightly. ¡°The last time we were here, they supposedly just started their dating. They went to Paris last weekend.¡± ¡°Myra had told me that Edward invited her to go away for the weekend, but when I talked to her yesterday, she didn¡¯t mention Paris,¡± said Alexia. ¡°Exactly,¡± said Ava. ¡°Do they act like they just started a new relationship?¡± ¡°Not really,¡± said Alexia. ¡°We¡¯ll go over it in the morning. Harris, Sarah, Anna, and Steven need to be looped in.¡± Ava nodded. ¡°No need to jump to conclusions tonight. Let¡¯s get actual intel before we start making assumptions.¡± Elliot exhaled. ¡°Agreed.¡± Ava stood, smoothing out the fabric of her dress. ¡°Then I say we call it a night.¡± Ava gave Alexia a knowing look. ¡°We¡¯ll talk more in the morning. Good night.¡± Elliot watched them go to Alexia¡¯s suite. Alexia hadn¡¯t moved. When she spoke, her voice was softer. ¡°They don¡¯t even have to try, do they?¡± Elliot glanced at her. ¡°That¡¯s the trick¡­ make it look like they aren¡¯t.¡± She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. ¡°I¡¯m going to bed. I¡¯m tired. Good night.¡± ¡°Good night.¡± An hour later, Alexia was still awake. She slipped out of the room, walked toward the kitchen bare footed. She grabbed a glass from the cabinet, filling it with water. A voice broke through the quiet. ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep?¡± She turned. Elliot sat on the couch, one arm draped over the back. Alexia exhaled, walking toward him. ¡°Not really.¡± She sat down beside him, pulling her knees up. ¡°Please pass me the cover. I¡¯m a little cold.¡± Elliot handed her the small couch cover. ¡°I¡¯m nervous. And scared,¡± said Alexia. Elliot didn¡¯t react, just let the words settle between them. ¡°But what can I do?¡± she added. Elliot put his arm around her shoulder. ¡°Trust me when I say that with Ben and Ava here things will change for the better before all of this is over.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Five years ago, it was because of them that I didn¡¯t lose everything, and they protected my life. Remember, I told you they have a security company like none other?¡± ¡°You mentioned it.¡± ¡°Well, I am the silent partner, and they are in charge.¡± ¡°They are¡­¡± ¡°Different?¡± ¡°Yes, but I don¡¯t quite understand them, but you can tell they are in control and powerful.¡± ¡°Alexia, they are geniuses. They speak, read, and write 12 languages, and speak many more. They both have photographic memories, and that is just the beginning. ¡°How can that be?¡± ¡°You can trust them with your life. So, if they ever tell you to do something, just do it. Ask questions later.¡± ¡°I wonder what their children will be like.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll find out in seven months.¡± ¡°Do they have family?¡± ¡°No, but I¡¯ll tell you more another time. It¡¯s getting late.¡± They both stood up from the couch. Alexia turned and faced Elliot. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be alone tonight,¡± said Alexia softly. ¡°Neither do I.¡± Elliot put his arm around her waist and lead her to his bedroom suite. ¡°Alexia¡­¡± Alexia put her finger on his lips, and said ¡°Hmm,¡± barely audible and lead him to bed. It had been a long evening leading to unusual conversations, but Alexia saw a different side of Elliot. She also knew there was much more to discover about Ben and Ava. The truth is¡­ Ava and Ben flew there for¡­¡± Chapter 5: The Chase The morning sunlight filtered through Elliot¡¯s suite. Alexia sat across from him, her thoughts tangled in the last twenty-four hours. She finally broke the silence. ¡°Ava and Ben didn¡¯t just come back because they were concerned.¡± She looked up, meeting Elliot¡¯s gaze. ¡°They came because they believe I¡¯m the main target.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just a belief, Alexia. It¡¯s a fact.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re second. If they can¡¯t get to me, they¡¯ll go after you to make a point.¡± Elliot didn¡¯t argue. He had already come to the same conclusion. ¡°Last night,¡± she continued, ¡°when you told me why they were coming back¡­ I didn¡¯t want to think about what that really meant.¡± She shook her head. ¡°But now, after dinner, after watching how Ava and Ben handled Myra and Edward, it¡¯s clear. This is more than just a threat. It¡¯s a promise.¡± Elliot studied her for a long moment. ¡°Things are already getting out of control. The fact that Jonathan and Georgia are both missing only confirms it.¡± ¡°So, they just disappeared? Gone, just like that?¡± ¡°Last night, Harris and Sarah did a sweep. No sign of them anywhere. And given everything we know, that¡¯s not a coincidence.¡± ¡°It¡¯s getting worse.¡± ¡°It is.¡± ¡°You trust them.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question. ¡°With my life,¡± Elliot said without hesitation. ¡°Then I guess I should too.¡± ¡°They won¡¯t let anything happen to you, Alexia. And neither will I.¡± For the first time, she realized how deep she had already been pulled into something far more dangerous than she had imagined. The study was quiet. Elliot finally looked up. ¡°Let¡¯s get started.¡± Harris spoke first. ¡°Jonathan and Georgia are gone. No signs of forced exit. No indication they were taken¡ªat least, not in the way we¡¯d normally expect.¡± ¡°So, they just left?¡± ¡°More like they vanished. No activity on their phones. Their assigned security codes were disabled from the system before they left. That¡¯s not something that happens by accident,¡± said Sarah. ¡°Which means they planned this,¡± said Elliot. ¡°And they did it clean.¡± ¡°Jonathan had access to a lot. More than I¡¯m comfortable with. If he was compromised, so was the estate¡¯s security,¡± said Ava. ¡°We¡¯re locking everything down. Effective immediately.¡± Elliot turned to Steven. ¡°You¡¯re driving for Alexia and me. No exceptions.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°Sofia will take over Georgia¡¯s responsibilities for now,¡± Ava added. ¡°That keeps things running smoothly inside the estate.¡± Elliot shifted his focus to Taylor and Sheila. ¡°Until we know more, you¡¯ll be covering external surveillance when not shadowing Alexia. I want constant monitoring of who comes and goes.¡± ¡°We¡¯re on it,¡± said Taylor. ¡°What about the extra security team?¡± asked Sarah. Ben had already anticipated the question. ¡°Six more agents are being brought in to cover the estate perimeter. We¡¯re not taking chances.¡± Harris looked at him. ¡°And internally?¡± ¡°Steven and I are going to personally check every inch of the security system. If there¡¯s a weak point, we¡¯ll find it.¡± ¡°This is getting worse by the day,¡± said Alexia. ¡°Which is why we¡¯re making these changes now,¡± said Elliot. Ava stood, stretching slightly before looking at Alexia. ¡°I want to spend some time with you today. Talk through safety precautions, get your thoughts on Myra, and¡ªI have something for you.¡± ¡°A surprise?¡± ¡°Something like that.¡± Ben glanced at Elliot. ¡°And you and I need to go over Edward. See what we¡¯re dealing with there.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll start immediately.¡± Ava turned back to Alexia. ¡°Lunch?¡± Alexia hesitated, ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Ava¡¯s tone lightened slightly. ¡°Anna¡¯s coming too. We¡¯ll keep things relaxed. Just us girls.¡± Alexia gave a small smile, though the weight of the morning hadn¡¯t fully lifted. ¡°Then let¡¯s move. We have a lot to get done before noon.¡± With that, the group broke apart, each person moving with purpose. As Alexia followed Ava out of the study, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that things were shifting¡ªfast. And for the first time, she wasn¡¯t sure she was ready for what came next. Back in Alexia¡¯s suite, she closed the door behind them as Ava walked to the sitting area, setting a sleek black designer bag on the table. She unzipped it and pulled out two boxes, setting them down carefully. ¡°I brought these for you,¡± Ava said, flipping open the lids. Inside were two sets of shoes and matching purses¡ªone a pair of silver heels with a sleek clutch, the other a more practical but equally sophisticated pair of flats with a matching handbag. Alexia blinked, momentarily caught off guard. ¡°Ava¡­ this is¡ª¡± ¡°Just something for different occasions,¡± Ava voice was smooth. ¡°Silver is for when you need to be seen. The other is for everything else.¡± Alexia ran her fingers over the soft leather of the everyday bag, taking in the thoughtfulness behind the choices. Ava had planned this, had anticipated the moments she might need them. Then Ava reached into the bag again, pulling out a smaller, elegant velvet box. She opened it, revealing a breathtaking five-piece diamond jewelry set. Alexia inhaled sharply. ¡°This is like the crimson red with tracking?¡± ¡°Yes, more options. There¡¯s nothing wrong with style and safety coming together. It¡¯s the best of both worlds. Besides, as a woman, I like choices. It¡¯s a complement to the crimson red set,¡± Ava explained. ¡°Slightly different design, but diamonds instead. So, you can wear it with anything.¡± Alexia¡¯s fingers hovered over the delicate craftsmanship, the light catching in the diamonds. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a gift,¡± she murmured. ¡°This is preparation.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll need it eventually.¡± ¡°So, what? No freebies for the bodyguard?¡± asked Anna. Ava reached back into the bag, pulling out a diamond ring. She held it out to Anna.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°This is for you.¡± Anna¡¯s teasing expression faltered, her eyes widening slightly. ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± ¡°Do I joke?¡± Anna took the ring, and slipped it onto her finger. She lifted it to the light, admiring the way it caught the sun. ¡°Damn. I should joke about free gifts more often.¡± Alexia glanced at Ava, seeing something deeper in the exchange. This wasn¡¯t just generosity, this was trust, acknowledgment. Ava didn¡¯t just give things away. Anna seemed to realize it too. She flexed her fingers, testing the weight of the ring. ¡°Guess this makes me official now?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve always been official,¡± said Ava. For a moment, the weight of the morning eased, the tension momentarily forgotten. ¡°Alright, now that we¡¯ve covered the essentials, let¡¯s head out.¡± Alexia gently closed the jewelry box, the gravity of the moment settling in. Anna stretched her arms, flashing the ring one more time. ¡°Alright, ladies, let¡¯s see if this little lunch outing gets interesting.¡± With that, they stepped out, setting the stage for what would come next. The upscale cafe was quiet. Alexia had started to relax, sipping her tea as Ava casually scrolled through her phone. Anna, as always, remained subtly vigilant, her eyes looking toward the windows every so often. Steven was parked outside, waiting in the SUV. Taylor and Sheila sat a few tables away, blending into the background. Alexia had been absorbed in the conversation about the previous night¡¯s dinner, analyzing Myra and Edward¡¯s reactions, when she noticed Ava¡¯s fingers pause on her screen. ¡°We should go,¡± Ava said lightly, setting her phone down. Anna caught the almost imperceptible shift in Ava¡¯s tone. ¡°Problem?¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Ava murmured, eyes gazing toward the window. ¡°Black SUV, three cars down.¡± Anna followed her gaze without turning her head. ¡°Been there long?¡± ¡°Long enough.¡± Ava stood, smoothing the fabric of her blouse. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± Alexia followed without question. Steven stepped out of the SUV as they approached, opening the back door. ¡°All set?¡± Ava nodded, but before climbing in, she turned slightly, pulling out her phone. She angled it just so, clicking two quick shots of the black SUV before ducking into the car. Steven shut the door and pulled into traffic. Alexia tried to focus on the passing city, but the tension between Ava and Anna was thick. ¡°Are we being followed?¡± she finally asked. Steven¡¯s voice came through the intercom. ¡°Yes.¡± Ava didn¡¯t look up from her phone. ¡°Black SUV. Two men inside.¡± ¡°They¡¯re keeping their distance, but they¡¯re not hiding anymore.¡± Alexia turned in her seat, but before she could get a full look, Anna stopped her with a hand on her arm. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Anna said quietly. ¡°Act normal.¡± Alexia swallowed and nodded, facing forward again. Ava tapped a message out on her phone before glancing at Anna. ¡°You should probably let her in on something before she has a heart attack.¡± Anna sighed. ¡°The car¡¯s bulletproof.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Elliot wouldn¡¯t let you ride in anything less,¡± Anna said, adjusting her seatbelt. ¡°Just in case you were wondering.¡± Alexia exhaled, hands gripping the seat. ¡°That¡¯s reassuring.¡± Steven took a sharp left. The black SUV followed. ¡°Alright,¡± Steven muttered. ¡°Subtle is over.¡± The SUV behind them suddenly accelerated, closing the distance. Anna cursed. ¡°They¡¯re getting too aggressive.¡± Steven checked the mirror. ¡°They¡¯re going to try and box us in.¡± Ava, still calm, lifted her phone again. Click. ¡°Got a clear shot?¡± Anna asked. ¡°Clear enough,¡± Ava murmured, her fingers moving swiftly to send the images to Ben. Alexia¡¯s heart pounded. ¡°What happens now?¡± ¡°Steven gets us out of here,¡± Anna said. Steven didn¡¯t hesitate. He punched the gas, weaving into traffic. The black SUV followed, barreling forward, desperate to keep up. Then it made its move¡ªswinging out toward their left, attempting to cut them off. Steven muttered a curse, jerking the wheel to avoid impact. The car jolted, but he kept it steady. Anna was already moving, pressing Alexia back. ¡°Stay down.¡± Alexia barely had time to react before the SUV swung toward them again. ¡°Hold on!¡± Steven called. The SUV swerved, trying to ram them. Steven countered, forcing them toward the curb. The tires screeched. Ava kept her phone steady, clicking another shot. ¡°Reckless,¡± she murmured. ¡°But they¡¯re not stupid.¡± A sharp buzz came from her phone. She glanced at the screen. Ben. She smirked. ¡°They¡¯re about to have a very bad day.¡± Alexia looked at her. ¡°Why?¡± Ava tilted the phone toward her. ¡°Ben and Taylor are en route. ETA, two minutes.¡± The SUV behind them suddenly made a final, desperate move¡ªspeeding up and swerving toward their side. Anna tightened her grip on the seat, bracing. ¡°They¡¯re going to try and force us off the road.¡± Steven adjusted his grip on the wheel. ¡°Let them try.¡± Just as the SUV prepared to strike, two black cars appeared from an on-ramp, cutting across traffic. Ben and Taylor. The attackers hesitated, realizing they were now boxed in. Ben¡¯s car surged forward, positioning itself parallel to the black SUV. Taylor flanked from the other side. A moment of indecision. Then the SUV swerved, trying to escape. Ben accelerated, slamming his vehicle into position to block them. Taylor flanked the opposite side, sealing their only exit. The SUV skidded, tires screeching. Then, in a last-ditch effort, it veered off the road, disappearing down an exit ramp. Ava exhaled. ¡°Cowards.¡± Steven didn¡¯t slow down, keeping a steady pace as they continued toward the estate. Alexia was still catching her breath when Anna finally relaxed. ¡°You okay?¡± Anna asked. Alexia exhaled. ¡°That was insane.¡± Steven¡¯s voice came through the intercom. ¡°We¡¯ll debrief once we get inside.¡± Ben¡¯s voice followed. ¡°Let¡¯s get home.¡± Alexia glanced out the window, the city blurring past. She had stepped into something bigger than she ever imagined, and this was just the beginning. The estate¡¯s gates clanked shut behind them, locking the chaos of the chase outside. Steven eased the bulletproof SUV to a stop in front of the main entrance, the tension still thick in the air. Alexia exhaled sharply, her fingers still curled around the seatbelt. Anna had been right¡ªthe car was secure, but that didn¡¯t change the fact that they had just been hunted. Ava wasted no time. The second they were inside the gates, she was scrolling through the pictures on her phone, studying each frame she¡¯d captured. Ben and Taylor¡¯s vehicle pulled up seconds later. As soon as the door opened, Ben was already assessing them, scanning Alexia in particular. ¡°Everyone okay?¡± Alexia didn¡¯t answer right away. She was still trying to slow her heart rate. ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± Anna answered, her voice steady as ever. ¡°Just a little shaken.¡± Elliot stepped out onto the porch, his sharp gaze locking onto Alexia first, then shifting to Ava, who was flipping through the images. His voice was quiet but firm. ¡°Inside. Now.¡± They didn¡¯t argue. The moment they entered Elliot¡¯s study, Ben closed the doors behind them. Security monitor displaying live feeds from around the estate, and a conference table at the center readied for debriefing. Everyone took their places. Ava placed her phone down on the table and transferred the images to the tablet in front of her. The screen illuminated with a series of sharp, well-framed shots¡ªthe unmistakable faces of the men who had chased them. Anna pointed to the clearest image, her voice edged with certainty. ¡°That¡¯s them.¡± Ben leaned in. ¡°Mace and Artemas Masters.¡± Alexia¡¯s stomach turned. ¡°John Masters¡¯ brothers,¡± she murmured. ¡°We knew something was coming, but we didn¡¯t expect it this soon,¡± said Elliot. Ben¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t leave the screen. ¡°They aren¡¯t just a threat. They¡¯re professionals.¡± ¡°Harris, we need a full lockdown protocol in place immediately.¡± ¡°Already on it. Sarah and I will track their movements, see if they¡¯ve gone underground or if they¡¯re still nearby.¡± Ben tapped on his tablet, making quick adjustments. ¡°Steven, you and I will reassess the security system¡ªif there¡¯s even the smallest vulnerability, we patch it.¡± Elliot turned to Taylor and Sheila. ¡°Until further notice, you¡¯re estate security when you¡¯re not shadowing Alexia.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± said Sheila. Ben swiped through his device and called in six additional agents to monitor the outer perimeter. ¡°That¡¯s a total of 12 outside. They won¡¯t get near this estate again without us knowing.¡± ¡°No one enters or leaves unless we say so,¡± said Elliot. Alexia watched them move like a machine¡ªeveryone¡¯s role precise, every action calculated. It was overwhelming. This was her life now. Ava, ever perceptive, leaned slightly toward her. ¡°You¡¯re not alone in this, Alexia.¡± Alexia¡¯s fingers curled slightly in her lap. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve fully accepted how serious this is.¡± Ava¡¯s voice softened. ¡°You will. But you¡¯re safe here.¡± Alexia wanted to believe that. But after today? She wasn¡¯t sure anything was safe anymore. The truth is¡­ it was more than¡­ Aftermath The estate had changed to a safe haven, but the truth was¡­ it was more than a car chase. Back in Alexia¡¯s suite, she sat on the couch, a bottle of water in her hands. The cap was still on. Her fingers curled around it, unmoving. The chase was over, but the adrenaline still clung to her. Ava sat across from her, one leg tucked under the other, at ease. She sipped her tea without rushing, her eyes on Alexia¡ªnot pressing, not pushing, just watching. ¡°Deep breaths,¡± Ava said, setting her cup down. ¡°I don¡¯t do nervous energy in my space.¡± Alexia exhaled a laugh that barely carried. ¡°I don¡¯t do car chases in mine.¡± ¡°Point taken.¡± Silence stretched between them, comfortable but expectant. Alexia tapped her nail against the water bottle, then cracked the seal and took a sip. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about Myra.¡± Alexia hesitated. ¡°What about her?¡± ¡°Your friendship. The real version.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question, not really. It was an opening. Alexia leaned back, pressing into the cushions, her grip tightening around the bottle. She stared at the ceiling for a moment before answering. ¡°She used to be sharp,¡± Alexia said, voice quieter now. ¡°Independent. She didn¡¯t second-guess herself, but now she makes excuses. For Edward. For herself.¡± Ava lifted her cup but didn¡¯t drink. She let the words settle, watching Alexia absorb them. ¡°She doesn¡¯t see it,¡± Alexia admitted. ¡°Or maybe she does and just doesn¡¯t want to.¡± Ava¡¯s expression barely shifted. ¡°And you?¡± ¡°What about me?¡± ¡°You still see her the way she was. Not the way she is.¡± The words landed, hitting somewhere deeper than Alexia expected. ¡°People change. Sometimes in ways we don¡¯t want them to.¡± Alexia nodded slowly, the words threading through her mind in ways she hadn¡¯t yet unraveled. For the first time since the chase, her thoughts felt clearer. The tension in her shoulders didn¡¯t ease, but something inside her loosened. Ava studied her a moment longer. ¡°Good. Now you know where you stand.¡± Alexia let out a slow breath, the weight of the day still there¡ªbut now, at least, she could hold it. The silence in Elliot¡¯s study was the silence that only came when the stakes were high, and no one wanted to be the first to say it out loud. Harris stood near the desk with his tablet in his hand; he looked up, breaking the stillness. ¡°We ran facial recognition. No doubt about it. Mace and Artemas Masters.¡± The names landed like a stone hitting deep water. Ben leaned forward; his eyes locked on the images now displayed on the study¡¯s large monitor. The faces staring back at them weren¡¯t unknown¡ªthey were men who didn¡¯t issue threats lightly. ¡°That means John Masters isn¡¯t the only problem anymore,¡± said Ben. Elliot exhaled. He already knew it. This only confirmed it. ¡°They didn¡¯t just follow Alexia. That chase wasn¡¯t about scaring her off the road. They were testing us,¡± said Sarah. ¡°Studying how we react,¡± said Ben. ¡°And now they know,¡± Harris added. Steven agreed. ¡°It wasn¡¯t about taking her. Not yet.¡± Elliot finally spoke, his voice calm, but with an edge that hadn¡¯t been there before. ¡°That was the warning shot.¡± Anna¡¯s eyes stayed on the screen as she spoke. ¡°They¡¯re professionals. No question. But that means they¡¯re methodical.¡± Ben nodded once. ¡°Which buys us a small window¡ªif we¡¯re ready.¡± Harris and Sarah exchanged a glance, an entire conversation passing between them without words. ¡°We¡¯re already working on adjustments. Perimeter sweeps, layered security, checking for blind spots. If they want another test, they won¡¯t like the results,¡± said Harris. Elliot let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting back to the screen where the Masters brothers¡¯ faces remained frozen in time. ¡°We don¡¯t wait for them to act first,¡± Elliot said. Ben met his gaze, the unspoken understanding passing between them. ¡°Agreed.¡± There was no debate. This wasn¡¯t a reaction¡ªit was preparation. The discussion shifted, tactical now. Harris and Sarah outlined new security measures, Steven ran logistical checks, and Anna continued refining the surveillance parameters. But beneath the words, something heavier lingered. They all knew the truth. This wouldn¡¯t be the last move. And the next time, the Masters brothers wouldn¡¯t be testing them. The art studio smelled of oil paint and turpentine, the air thick with the quiet creation.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Alexia stood before a massive canvas, barefoot on the cool floor, moving with purpose, her brush carving raw strokes into the canvas. Deep reds bled into muted grays, each pass of color a wordless release of everything she couldn¡¯t say. She wasn¡¯t thinking about the shapes forming under her hand, wasn¡¯t analyzing the colors bleeding into each other. This wasn¡¯t a technique. It was something more primal. A purge. Across the estate, in the security room, Ava studied the security feed streamed onto the screen in front of her. The cameras in the studio weren¡¯t intrusive¡ªnothing high-tech, just standard estate security. Enough to catch the broad strokes of movement. Enough for Ava to see what she needed to. She wasn¡¯t watching out of suspicion. She was watching because Alexia didn¡¯t even realize how much she was saying without words. Ava tilted her head, studying the screen as Alexia worked. There was no hesitation in the strokes. No careful planning. Just emotion bleeding through color. A knowing look crossed Ava¡¯s face. No wonder Elliot¡¯s in trouble. The painting was abstract, but Ava could read between the lines¡ªbetween the jagged streaks of gray and the violent slashes of red. Frustration. Conflict. Fear, maybe. But there was something else layered beneath it all. Determination. Alexia wasn¡¯t fragile. She just hadn¡¯t figured that out yet. Ava sat back, tapping a fingernail against the desk. She let the scene play out for a few more moments before shutting the screen off. Some things people needed to realize on their own. The scent of fresh herbs and simmering garlic filled the estate¡¯s kitchen. The space, reserved for staff, felt different tonight. More personal. The stainless-steel countertops gleamed under the warm lights, and the faint clatter of knives against cutting boards provided a steady rhythm. Ava rolled up her sleeves and surveyed the organized chaos around her. Marcella, the estate¡¯s chef and an agent like the others, was already prepping vegetables with the precision that spoke of both training and habit. She glanced at Ava, a moment of amusement in her dark eyes. ¡°You¡­ cook?¡± Marcella asked, a hint of skepticism threading through her voice. Ava picked up a chef¡¯s knife, testing its weight. ¡°Among my many talents.¡± Alexia joined them, her sleeves pushed up, ready to work. ¡°If I sit still, I¡¯ll start thinking again. And that¡¯s not an option tonight.¡± Anna leaned against the fridge. ¡°This is the strangest battle plan I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± Ava turned to Marcella. ¡°What¡¯s left?¡± Marcella handed her a bunch of basil to chop. As they worked, the atmosphere lightened, tension melting into the simple act of preparing a meal. The soft hiss of sizzling onions filled the air, blending with the rhythmic chopping of vegetables. It was only when the conversation drifted to the heightened security around the estate that Marcella spoke up again. ¡°Ricardo noticed the extra security,¡± she said, keeping her focus on slicing a bell pepper. ¡°He asked if we should be adjusting anything¡ªdeliveries, perimeter checks.¡± Ava didn¡¯t look up from the sauce she was stirring. ¡°Everything stays the same. Just stay alert.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± The sound of knives tapping against cutting boards reclaimed the space, and the air filled with the scent of roasting tomatoes and fresh basil. Alexia exhaled, rolling her shoulders. ¡°This might be the first normal moment I¡¯ve had all day.¡± Ava passed her a wooden spoon to her. ¡°Then stir the sauce. Don¡¯t ruin it.¡± Anna chuckled. ¡°No pressure.¡± The easy banter continued as they plated the meal, the kitchen warm with the simple comfort of shared effort. The estate was quiet again. It was almost midnight. Ava stood near the window in her suite, one hand resting on the cool glass. The chase earlier had left a ripple effect¡ªeveryone was on high alert. Ben watched her from where he stood near the couch. He wasn¡¯t in a rush to speak, but the way his gaze settled on her said enough. ¡°I hate that you were in that car,¡± he said, voice low. Ava turned. ¡°I know. You¡¯ve mentioned it¡­ five times now.¡± Ben shook his head. ¡°You were too calm.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°And that¡¯s what worries me.¡± ¡°I knew I¡¯d be fine.¡± Ben took a step closer. ¡°That¡¯s not the point.¡± Ava stayed where she was, but something in the room shifted. The air between them had always carried weight, something unspoken but undeniable. Ben studied her, his gaze searching for something she wasn¡¯t quite ready to give. ¡°You don¡¯t always have to be the one in control.¡± Ava let out a slow breath, looking past him. ¡°I trust myself. That¡¯s enough.¡± He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch light but deliberate. ¡°Someday, you¡¯re going to let me carry some of that weight for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you carry our two babies.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m even more on edge.¡± ¡°I understand. It¡¯s new for me.¡± ¡°And for me.¡± Ava¡¯s lips parted slightly. She didn¡¯t answer right away. Ben¡¯s voice lowered, his hand still lingering near her jaw. ¡°I worry about you.¡± She paused, then looked up and looked into his eyes. It softened into something else. Something real. Then, just barely, she giggled. Ben didn¡¯t hesitate. He kissed her, his grip sliding to the nape of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair as she pressed against him. It wasn¡¯t rushed. It wasn¡¯t uncertain. It was inevitable. Ava melted into him, the weight of the day slipping away, at least for tonight. Inside Elliot¡¯s suite, time felt slower, heavier. Alexia stood near the bookshelves, fingers brushing against the spine of a hardcover she wasn¡¯t seeing. Her mind was still running, replaying the chase, the conversations, the shifting weight of everything she had stepped into. No matter how hard she tried to shake it, it clung to her. Elliot watched from where he stood near the couch. ¡°You don¡¯t know how to sit still, do you?¡± Alexia turned, meeting his eyes. ¡°Not after today.¡± Elliot crossed the room. ¡°You handled yourself well.¡± She let out a breath, almost a scoff. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± He stopped in front of her, close enough for his presence to steady the restless energy in her chest. ¡°You didn¡¯t break. That¡¯s something.¡± Alexia¡¯s fingers curled against the book¡¯s spine. ¡°Maybe I already was.¡± Elliot¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. He had always read between the lines, to see things she hadn¡¯t quite figured out yet. After a moment, his voice lowered. ¡°Stay.¡± Alexia didn¡¯t answer right away. She wasn¡¯t sure why¡ªnot because she wanted to leave, but because staying meant something. She swallowed, shifting her weight. ¡°Is that an order?¡± A faint smile ghosted across Elliot¡¯s lips. ¡°Would you follow it if it was?¡± Alexia didn¡¯t smile back. But she didn¡¯t move toward the door either. The air between them shifted, thick with something unspoken. Elliot was always composed, always in control, but right now, that control felt thinner, stretched. The silence stretched, charged, before she stepped closer, closing the space between them. Elliot didn¡¯t hesitate. He kissed her, slow and passionate, his hand sliding down her side. He picked her up and carried her to bed. Alexia relaxed all over, her mind quiet for the first time all day. The truth is¡­ damn you Elliot¡­ hmm¡­ Beneath the Surfaces The first light pressed against the suite¡¯s windows, cutting through layers of silence. Morning had a way of stripping illusions bare, peeling them back until only the truth remained. Alexia¡¯s consciousness surfaced. Each inhale measured, calibrated against the weight of the moment. The bed beneath her was too warm, too unfamiliar. The sheets twisted around her like a muted accusation¡ªone she wasn¡¯t ready to acknowledge. Elliot lay beside her. Not asleep. Not fully awake. Lingering in that space between intention and surrender. Alexia didn¡¯t belong here. The thought wasn¡¯t emotional. It was a fact. Distance equaled control. Distance equaled safety. Her fingers traced the edge of the sheet¡ªtesting, preparing. Nine steps to the door. Her clothes, draped over the chair, stood as a silent reminder: she never planned to stay¡­ or did she? One breath. Two. She moved. Slow. Deliberate. A whisper of fabric. Then¡ªa shift. Small. Imperceptible to most. But Alexia noticed. The faintest change in Elliot¡¯s breathing. The subtle curl of his fingers against the sheet. He wasn¡¯t asleep. A moment of uneasiness. Annoyance? Hesitation? Her pulse quickened before she pushed it away. Her fingers brushed against the cool fabric of her shirt. "You¡¯re thinking too loud." His voice¡ªrough with sleep but clear¡ªcut through the quiet like a blade. Alexia stilled. Her grip on the shirt tightened. Elliot didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t turn. But his presence expanded, settling over her like a slow, deliberate pull. "Didn¡¯t realize my thoughts were your business." Silence stretched between them. Too long. Then¡ªfinally¡ªhe shifted. Just enough for her to see it. The edge of his mouth curved slightly. Not quite a smirk. Not quite a smile. "Everything about you is my business." Her stomach twisted. Unwanted. Unnecessary. She crushed it down before it could settle. Her movements remained efficient and controlled. She pulled the shirt on over her head. "Then you¡¯re in the wrong business." This time, Elliot didn¡¯t respond. Alexia didn¡¯t hesitate. Nine steps. The door. She didn¡¯t look back. But as her fingers closed around the handle, the weight of his gaze clung to her skin. An unspoken thing... a moment of truth, nor willingness to name. Morning light filtered through the blinds, casting lines across the surface of Ava¡¯s workspace. The estate¡¯s latest security logs scrolled across her screen, each entry precise, each timestamp a marker of controlled movement. Her coffee sat beside her¡ªcold, untouched. She hadn¡¯t noticed. Ben entered without a word. A fresh cup of tea appeared in place of the coffee. Ava acknowledged the gesture with a glance¡ªnothing more, nothing less. ¡°I saw something.¡± Ben didn¡¯t ask what. He waited. Ava tapped the screen, the security feed shifting to a paused frame. Alexia. Captured mid-stroke in her studio, brush moving in a way that betrayed more than technique. Emotion bled through the color¡ªraw, unfiltered. ¡°She¡¯s revealing more than she realizes,¡± Ava murmured. Ben studied the image, reading beyond the painting, beyond the movement. ¡°She always does,¡± he said. ¡°Elliot¡¯s in trouble.¡± Ava reached for her suitcase, unzipping and pulling out a device. Set it on the table. Ben picked it up, turning it over in his palm. A weightless thing. ¡°Early pregnancy safety gear,¡± Ava said, her tone casual, as if discussing the weather. ¡°Designed for movement. Lightweight. No interference.¡± Ben turned it over again. Ran his fingers along its edge. ¡°You think of everything,¡± he said. Ava met his gaze, her lips curving slightly. ¡°It¡¯s necessary.¡± Ben studied her for a long moment, then set the device down and leaned in. His fingers brushed against her temple¡ªlight, lingering. A touch that held no urgency, only certainty. Ava exhaled, a small giggle slipping out. Ben¡¯s lips twitched as he checked his watch. ¡°Thirty minutes.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Ava arched an eyebrow. ¡°Until what?¡± Ben¡¯s voice was low, controlled. ¡°One hour before meeting Elliot and the others.¡± ¡°Feisty today?¡± Ben¡¯s answer was a slow, lingering kiss. Ava¡¯s hands sliding up his arms, fingers pressing into a muscle. A moment where everything else ceased to exist. Then¡ªreality intruded. Ben pulled back, his gaze flickering to the time again. ¡°I should go.¡± Ava smiled this time. Not a smirk. A smile. She traced a single finger along the edge of his collar. ¡°You should. But you¡¯re not.¡± Ben exhaled, a short chuckle escaping his lips. ¡°Not yet.¡± And with that, he kissed her again. Stealing moments for 30 minutes. The studio breathed with potential. Canvases leaned against the walls¡ªsilent witnesses to Alexia¡¯s internal chaos. Brushes rested in their precise order, waiting. The scent of paint hung in the air, grounding her. This space was hers. The one place where the outside world held no claim. She moved through it with purpose. Every step is a decision, not a reaction. Control was everything. Ava appeared in the doorway, but not entering. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± Alexia didn¡¯t look up. She adjusted a tube of paint, fingers tightening just slightly before relaxing again. "Still here." ¡°We¡¯ll talk later.¡± Ava left to prep for the meeting. Five minutes passed in silence. Then¡ªthe knock. She knew it was Elliot. He didn¡¯t wait for an invitation. He walked inside, gazing, sweeping across the canvas before settling on her. Reading something beneath the surface. Something she didn¡¯t want him to see. ¡°You stayed.¡± His voice was neutral. Too neutral. Alexia¡¯s spine stiffened, but she didn¡¯t turn. ¡°Obviously.¡± Before the moment could settle, another knock... Anna. Alexia exhaled, frustration creeping in. Her space invaded. Again. She glance toward Ava. ¡°Come in. It¡¯s traffic hour.¡± ¡°What?¡± Alexia shook her head. ¡°Never mind.¡± ¡°You coming to the meeting?¡± Alexia hesitated. The tension in her shoulders didn¡¯t ease, but shifted. ¡°No.¡± Then, softer, muttered under her breath¡ªmore truth than she intended to give: ¡°Maybe I can actually paint if everyone else is at the meeting.¡± The words landed. Ava caught them. Elliot did too. Alexia could feel their reactions in the silence, in the weight of unspoken understanding. No one responded. No one had to. The moment stretched¡ªheavy, unresolved. Then, just like that, it passed. Anna gave a small nod and stepped back. ¡°I¡¯ll let them know.¡± Ava lingered a second longer before following. Elliot, however, didn¡¯t move. Alexia¡¯s grip tightened around the paintbrush in her hand. She didn¡¯t look at him. But she felt him. Watching. Waiting. A battle she refused to acknowledge. Finally, he turned and walked out. Alexia let out a slow breath. Alone again. For now. The study was a precision instrument. Nothing in this space was accidental¡ªnot placing people, not the controlled silence between words. Elliot stood at the head of the table, his posture sharp with unspoken authority. Ben and Ava flanked him, an unspoken unit. Across from them, Harris and Sarah held tactical positions, their focus razor-sharp. Alexia remained slightly apart. Not an outsider, but not fully integrated. Watching. Learning. ¡°We¡¯re not waiting,¡± Elliot said. His voice cut through the room¡ªfinal, decisive. No room for argument. No hesitation. ¡°We¡¯re creating movement.¡± Ben tapped his tablet. A map flickered onto the screen, highlighting strategic engagement points. ¡°¨¦clat Restaurant.¡± The words came from Ava, crisp, deliberate. Not a suggestion¡ªa decision. ¡°Edward and Myra will be our first test.¡± Anna leaned forward, noting something in the data others might have missed. "He accepted the invitation without consulting Myra." Ben¡¯s response was instant. ¡°Exactly.¡± Elliot¡¯s gaze swept the table, his presence pulling their attention tighter. ¡°Taylor and Sheila will handle external surveillance. Steven drives. No exceptions.¡± No one questioned the orders. No one needed to. Alexia listened, absorbing everything. The layers of the conversation weren¡¯t just about logistics. They were about power, about control, about setting the board before the real game began. ¡°The goal,¡± Ava continued, her voice clinical, measured, ¡°is to reveal without exposing. To test without triggering.¡± A long silence. The kind that meant everyone understood what was at stake. Then Ben turned to Alexia. His gaze locked onto hers. ¡°You understand?¡± Her response was immediate. Clear. Controlled. ¡°I¡¯m learning.¡± Ben studied her for a second longer, then nodded. The briefing continued, but Alexia knew something had shifted. She wasn¡¯t just watching anymore. She was part of the board, if she wanted to be. The air inside ¨¦clat was thick with understated elegance¡ªsoft ambient lighting, muted conversation, and the deliberate quiet of wealth. Everything about Ben and Ava flanking Alexia, a formation that looked natural but wasn¡¯t. Every seat, every placement, was intentional. Across the room, Edward and Myra entered. The atmosphere shifted. Subtle, but noticeable¡ªif you were paying attention. Alexia was. Myra¡¯s movements were controlled, but not fluid. Tension laced the way her fingers curled around the stem of her wineglass. Edward¡¯s hand rested on her arm¡ªcasual to an outsider, but deliberate. A silent claim. A reminder. Halfway through the appetizer, Ben¡¯s phone vibrated. One glance. A barely perceptible shift in his jaw. Ava noticed instantly. Her eyes flicked to his before he even spoke. A message from Taylor. To set his napkin down and spoke low and controlled. ¡°Perimeter breach.¡± Elliot didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t flinch, but his hand subtly tapped against the table. His fingers sent a silent sequence of instructions to the security team. Ben passed Ava his phone, letting her read the message. The words were chilling in their simplicity. ¡°You don¡¯t get to choose who walks away.¡± Ava¡¯s lips pressed together, a flicker of tension tightening her expression before smoothing back into neutrality. Elliot reached for his glass, taking a slow sip, his movements carefully calculated. Alexia caught all of it. The way the conversation at the table didn¡¯t pause. The way Elliot¡¯s posture remained casual. The way Ben and Ava¡¯s hands never strayed far from reach. This wasn¡¯t dinner. This was a chessboard. A calculated operation where every word, every movement, could be intelligence or a trap. Alexia wasn¡¯t just observing anymore. She was understanding. The truth was forming, layered, and complex. And it had nothing to do with the meal in front of them. The club pulsed with controlled chaos. Aurora Noir was the place that thrived in the space between performance and reality¡ªa world where people played roles without realizing they were being watched. The music was loud, but not distracting. The beat didn¡¯t drown out the tension¡ªit underscored it. Ben and Ava moved as one. Not obviously. Not in the way couples danced to be seen. Their movements were fluid, synchronized, instinctive. A language built over years of knowing exactly how the other would respond. They weren¡¯t dancing. They were watching. Elliot and Alexia wove through the crowd, his grip on her wrist light but unyielding. A guide. A signal. A warning. Alexia didn¡¯t resist, but she also didn¡¯t surrender to it. She was learning. This wasn¡¯t just a club. It was a hunting ground. In the farthest booth, Edward and Myra sat in shadow. Close, but not close. His hand rested on her arm¡ªnot a gesture of affection, but of ownership. From the edge of the dance floor Ava watched. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke to Ben. ¡°Watch how he touches her.¡± Ben¡¯s only response was a microscopic nod. Elliot leaned into Alexia, his breath near her ear¡ªnot intimate, but strategic. His words slipped through the music like a current beneath the surface. ¡°The truth is¡­¡± The rest was lost to the bass-line. Alexia caught fragments. Not enough. Just enough. Her body stiffened for half a second before she forced herself to relax. Elliot¡¯s hold on her wrist loosened¡ªbut didn¡¯t let go. The night continued around them. People danced. Laughed. Drank. Completely unaware that beneath the music, beneath the conversations, something far more dangerous was unfolding beneath the surfaces of secrets. The truth wasn¡¯t something spoken outright. It was buried beneath all the internal noise. Alexia just had to figure out if she wanted to hear it. A presence shifted beside her. Ava leaned in, her voice just loud enough to cut through the music. "The truth is... there was a..." Alexia turned, heart pounding¡ªbut Ava had already started walking away. Eyes Wide Opened The club moved with controlled energy, the ambient lighting shifting between deep blues and reds, casting sharp contrasts over the crowded floor. From their secluded VIP section, Elliot, Alexia, Ben, Ava, Myra, and Edward maintained the appearance of a casual night out, but the tension still grew beneath the surface. Edward, ever the performer, leaned back against the velvet seat, his expression smooth as he sipped his drink. Myra¡¯s gaze flickered between Alexia and Elliot, her eyes lingering just a little too long, reading, assessing. Alexia noted the subtle way Ben and Ava exchanged glances. A silent language only they understood. They were watching too, tracking every micro-expression, every shift in body language. Edward exhaled with an easy smile. ¡°Since we¡¯re already here, we might as well enjoy the music,¡± he said, standing and extending a hand toward Myra. She hesitated, just for a second, but then took it. ¡°Why not?¡± The moment they disappeared onto the dance floor, the atmosphere shifted. Less suffocating, but not free. Then, as if the night had been waiting for its next disruption, she appeared. Alexia didn¡¯t recognize her, but the moment the woman approached, something in Elliot changed. It wasn¡¯t obvious¡ªjust a fraction of a second where his posture changed before he forced himself back into composure. Ava noticed. Ben did too. ¡°Elliot,¡± the woman purred, stopping just short of their table. Alexia watched as the woman¡ªblonde, poised, exuding familiarity¡ªgave Elliot a smile that was just a little too practiced. Elliot didn¡¯t react, didn¡¯t acknowledge her, just let the silence stretch between them. She was unfazed. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, hasn¡¯t it?¡± The tension was subtle, but unmistakable. Alexia didn¡¯t look at Elliot¡ªshe looked at Ava. From that exchange, Alexia realized this was significant. But it wasn¡¯t something either. Elliot¡¯s voice was flat when he answered. ¡°Not interested, Stacie.¡± Alexia glanced back at the woman¡ªStacie. She didn¡¯t so much as flinch at Elliot¡¯s cold dismissal. If anything, it amused her. ¡°Oh, you never were,¡± she mused, voice light, deliberately casual. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean I wasn¡¯t useful.¡± Alexia¡¯s fingers tightened around her glass. What the hell does that mean? Ben and Ava weren¡¯t moving, weren¡¯t speaking, but they were absorbing everything. Before Alexia could question it, before Elliot could shut her down again, Stacie turned and disappeared into the crowd. A beat of silence. Elliot exhaled, annoyed. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Before anyone could push for more answers, Myra and Edward returned. If they had noticed anything, they didn¡¯t show it. Myra¡¯s gaze drifted over them all, as if taking a mental inventory of the shift in energy. ¡°Leaving so soon?¡± she asked. ¡°Yeah. Early morning.¡± Edward studied him for a moment. ¡°Pity. We were just getting started.¡± ¡°Good to know where everyone stands,¡± said Myra. Elliot didn¡¯t entertain it. He was already moving, Alexia, Ben, and Ava following. As they exited the club, Alexia didn¡¯t bother asking who Stacie was. She knew she¡¯d get her answers soon enough. Ben and Ava? They had already decided¡ªthis was a security problem now. The estate was quiet, but tension still lingered in the air as Ben and Ava stepped into Alexia¡¯s suite. Ava walked straight to the desk, pulling up the estate¡¯s surveillance system while Ben shrugged off his jacket. ¡°Something¡¯s off about her.¡± Ava didn¡¯t look up. ¡°Stacie?¡± Ben leaned against the desk. ¡°She wasn¡¯t desperate. She wasn¡¯t even trying to make a scene. That wasn¡¯t a woman looking to rekindle something that never existed.¡± Ava¡¯s fingers moved across the keyboard, scanning the old security records. ¡°She didn¡¯t act like someone who lost something. She acted like someone who still had unfinished business.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what bothers me.¡± Ava¡¯s eyes reading the screen, but her mind was elsewhere. A memory surfaced¡ªAnna¡¯s voice from a few days ago. ¡°She¡¯s different, Ava. I saw it the first day she got here. When Georgia handed her the credit cards and keys Elliot left for her¡ªshe barely looked at them. Most women would¡¯ve checked the balance, tested the waters. She didn¡¯t. She just tossed them on the counter like they were receipts. It wasn¡¯t carelessness. It was detachment.¡± Anna had been right. Alexia wasn¡¯t like the women who hovered around Elliot, trying to weave themselves into his world through money and influence. She had her own world. Ava spoke, still processing. ¡°She¡¯s nothing like Stacie.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. ¡°You think she noticed something off about her?¡± Ava turned to him. ¡°Noticed? No. But she felt it. She knew something wasn¡¯t right.¡± ¡°Tomorrow, we get a name. The real one.¡± Ava¡¯s gaze returned to the screen. She pulled up past visitor logs, narrowing the search to five years ago. The system began loading. ¡°If she was here before,¡± Ava murmured, watching the records flash across the screen, ¡°she left breadcrumbs. We¡¯ll find them.¡± The next morning at 9 am, Elliot sat at the conference table waiting for everyone. This wasn¡¯t a casual morning meeting. This was about control, security, and the unanswered question that had just landed at their doorstep. Ben and Ava entered and took their seats first. Alexia came in next and sat beside Elliot, her arms resting on the table, but her thoughts elsewhere. Though quiet since last night, she sensed Elliot¡¯s troubled mind from his restless sleep. Harris and Sarah entered next, followed by Stephen and Anna. Sheila and Taylor arrived, rounding out the trusted circle. No outsiders. No untested loyalties. Ava spoke first. ¡°Let¡¯s start with the obvious. We have two problems. One is Myra and Edward. The other?¡± She glanced at Ben, then Elliot. ¡°We might have been focusing on the wrong threat.¡± ¡°Explain,¡± said Elliot. Ava pulled up the file on the monitor. ¡°Stacie Keystone doesn¡¯t exist. But Stacie Thompson does.¡± The room went still. ¡°She¡¯s a high-end scam artist,¡± Ava continued. ¡°Well-documented but never convicted. Changes identities, infiltrates high-profile social circles, then disappears when the job is done.¡± Elliot didn¡¯t react. Alexia, however, felt the weight of that statement. Ben glanced at Ava. ¡°And she just showed up last night?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the question. Did she show up because of Myra and Edward? Or is she an entirely separate problem?¡± Alexia, quiet until now, turned to Elliot. ¡°She tried to get close to you before.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question. Elliot¡¯s voice was flat. ¡°She failed.¡± ¡°She wasn¡¯t just after your money,¡± Ben said. ¡°She was after you.¡± Elliot exhaled, looking at the screen. ¡°If she¡¯s resurfacing now, it¡¯s not about me. It¡¯s about leverage.¡± ¡°She¡¯s testing the waters,¡± Ava muttered. ¡°Seeing if she can still insert herself somewhere. The timing is too specific.¡± ¡°And we still don¡¯t know if she¡¯s working with Myra and Edward, or if they¡¯re two separate betrayals,¡± said Anna. No one answered. Harris cleared his throat, shifting the room¡¯s focus. ¡°Then there¡¯s this.¡± He placed the small package on the table. Harris opened it, revealing the simple silver bracelet resting inside. ¡°That¡¯s mine,¡± said Alexia. All eyes turned to her. ¡°I lost it two weeks ago before moving here.¡± Ava leaned forward, picking it up. She pulled out her advanced prototype tracker¡ªa device more sophisticated than the standard model the team already carried. Running it over the bracelet, a soft beep echoed throughout the room. Ava¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Tracker.¡± A pause. ¡°Well,¡± Anna said. ¡°That¡¯s interesting.¡± ¡°Someone had access to Alexia before she ever set foot in this house,¡± said Ben. ¡°Someone has been watching her longer than we realized,¡± said Ava. Alexia¡¯s grip tightened around the chair¡¯s edge. ¡°This wasn¡¯t Myra or Edward.¡± Anna¡¯s voice was steady. ¡°No. This was something else.¡± Ava placed the bracelet inside a signal-blocking case before looking at Elliot. ¡°We need to scan everyone. Every agent, every visitor. Past and present.¡± ¡°Start.¡± Ben glanced at Alexia before standing. ¡°And we start with the ones who had access to her before she moved in.¡± Elliot¡¯s voice cut through the tension, sharp and unwavering. ¡°No more surprises.¡± Alexia met his gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t think we have that luxury.¡± Ava looked up from her tablet as a light knock sounded on her door. She hadn¡¯t expected company, not after the tense security meeting that morning. Setting the device aside, she called out, ¡°Come in.¡± Alexia pushed open the door, hesitating only a fraction before stepping inside. Her expression guarded, but Ava noticed a subtle difference, enough to tell her this wasn¡¯t a casual visit. Ava motioned toward the chair across from her. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to come knocking.¡± Alexia didn¡¯t sit right away. She seemed to weigh the space between them, as if testing an invisible line before lowering herself onto the chair. ¡°I need to ask you something.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Alexia didn¡¯t dance around it. ¡°How do you and Ben do it? The trust?¡± Ava leaned back, letting the question settle. Trust. Not a simple thing to explain, even harder to define. Ava observed Alexia, noticing the tension on her shoulders and how her hands, though loosely clasped, were not relaxed. ¡°You¡¯re asking the wrong question,¡± Ava said. ¡°Then what¡¯s the right one?¡± ¡°Are you actually asking about trust, or are you asking how to stop being afraid of it?¡± Alexia inhaled, just enough to give her away. She looked down, exhaling before muttering, ¡°Maybe both.¡± ¡°Trust isn¡¯t given. It¡¯s tested, broken, and rebuilt. You have to be willing to risk it first.¡± Alexia¡¯s fingers tightened. ¡°And if you don¡¯t know how?¡± ¡°Then you start by being honest with yourself.¡± Ava¡¯s voice was steady and unruffled. ¡°What¡¯s holding you back?¡± Alexia wanted to say nothing. That she was fine, and it didn¡¯t matter. But those were all lies, and Ava wouldn¡¯t buy them. She exhaled. ¡°Elliot¡­ he makes it impossible to be logical.¡± Ava¡¯s lips twitched, but not in amusement. ¡°Then maybe logic isn¡¯t what you need.¡± Alexia scoffed. ¡°You sound like Ben.¡± Ava shrugged. ¡°He¡¯s right more often than people realize.¡± Silence stretched between them, but it wasn¡¯t uncomfortable. She spoke, her voice quieter now. ¡°Five years ago, he hurt me. And I told myself I didn¡¯t care. That I could hate him if I needed to. But I never could.¡± Ava nodded. ¡°You don¡¯t get to rewrite what¡¯s real just because it¡¯s inconvenient.¡± Alexia let out a small, frustrated breath. ¡°Then how do I move forward?¡± Ava leaned forward. ¡°By deciding if it¡¯s worth it. Not if it¡¯s easy, not if it¡¯s safe¡ªjust if it¡¯s worth it.¡± Alexia stared at her, and for the first time, she let the truth settle in her chest. Ava¡¯s voice softened, but there was no pity in it. ¡°Elliot isn¡¯t Ben. Ben and I have a lot in common. We both lost our families early and have no extended families. We developed our trust in different ways. You earn trust, but you must constantly fight to maintain it because it impacts a relationship, as you¡¯re discovering.¡± Alexia swallowed, not arguing. Ava continued, eyes sharp. ¡°Elliot isn¡¯t someone who trusts easily, and neither are you. Trust isn¡¯t the issue here, is it?¡± Alexia met her gaze, her voice above a whisper. ¡°No. The problem is, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m strong enough to risk it.¡± Ava studied her for a moment before answering. ¡°Then you have your answer. Because if you weren¡¯t strong enough, you wouldn¡¯t even be asking the question.¡± Alexia let out a slow breath, one that carried more than just air. ¡°You and I are going to get along just fine.¡± Alexia let out a small huff of laughter, shaking her head. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of.¡± And just like that, something shifted between them¡ªnot formed, but solid enough to hold. Establishing something unspoken. A beginning of a friendship that would alter them both. Alexia stood in the center of her studio, brush in hand, lost in the rhythm of movement. The canvas before her was alive, not just a painting. The strokes carried weight, emotion, a barely contained electricity beneath the surface. She was working on the fifth piece for the exhibition, but this one felt different. Across the estate, in the security room, Ava stood next to Elliot, arms folded as she watched the screen. The screen captured Alexia¡¯s every precise movement of her brush. ¡°She doesn¡¯t realize how much she says without speaking,¡± Ava murmured. Elliot didn¡¯t respond. His eyes remained fixed on the screen. ¡°You think you know her,¡± Ava continued, ¡°but you¡¯re still watching from the outside. Always analyzing, always deciding what¡¯s best. But maybe the truth is¡­ she¡¯s stronger than you think.¡± Ava turned to leave, stopping just at the door. ¡°Stay a while, Elliot. Watch. Really watch.¡± He didn¡¯t answer. Ava left, her footsteps fading down the hall. Elliot exhaled and leaned forward, his fingers pressing against the edge of the console. The room was silent except for the soft scratch of bristles on canvas through the speaker feed. Alexia hadn¡¯t hesitated once. Every stroke of paint was deliberate, intentional. There was no hesitation. There was no fear. Only her. And for the first time, Elliot wasn¡¯t sure if he had ever truly seen her. His fingers hovered over the console. He could turn the feed off. He could walk away. He didn¡¯t. Instead, he watched with his eyes wide opened. ¡°The truth is Alexia, you are¡­¡± he murmured to himself. Not Meant to be Heard The private dining area in Elliot¡¯s suite was dimly lit, casting a warm glow over the elegantly set table. A meal had been prepared¡ªgrilled salmon, roasted vegetables, and a bottle of red wine breathing between them. Alexia had been here before. She had sat across from him like this before. But something was different tonight. He was different. Elliot didn¡¯t carry that usual sharp edge, the measured control he wielded like a weapon. Instead, he seemed... present. His gaze wasn¡¯t scanning, wasn¡¯t assessing... just focused on her at this moment. She cut a piece of salmon, aware of how it had been between them. Not uncomfortable, just different. As if neither wanted to break whatever this was. ¡°You¡¯ve been painting.¡± ¡°I have. That was the whole point of me being here, wasn¡¯t it?¡± He didn¡¯t answer right away, just set down his fork, fingers interlacing as he studied her. ¡°Your fifth piece,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°Tell me about it.¡± Alexia hesitated, not because she didn¡¯t want to, but because she wasn¡¯t sure why he was asking. Elliot wasn¡¯t the type to feign interest. He wouldn¡¯t ask unless he meant it. She set down her own fork, resting her elbow on the table. ¡°It¡¯s different from the others. More... instinctual.¡± His lips pressed together slightly, waiting. ¡°It¡¯s about restraint. And the moment restraint breaks.¡± Something changed in Elliot¡¯s expressions, she almost missed it. ¡°Control versus surrender,¡± he murmured, as if he understood exactly what she meant. Alexia¡¯s stomach tightened, not because of what he said, but because of how he looked at her when he said it. She nodded, fingers tracing the stem of her wineglass. ¡°Something like that.¡± Another pause, but this time, it wasn¡¯t silence, no motion, just stillness, like time stopping to embrace something but waiting for them to breathe and move forward. Elliot shifted, his hand reaching for his glass, but then stopped halfway, as if reconsidering. When he looked at her again, something had changed in his expression. ¡°You¡¯ve always fascinated me, Alexia.¡± Alexia¡¯s heart was no longer calm. ¡°You have a strange way of showing it.¡± For once, he didn¡¯t counter her with a sharp remark, didn¡¯t deflect with his usual control. He just watched her, as if seeing her for the first time, like watching the footage from the security camera the night before. Then, without thinking, without calculation, his hand reached across the table. His fingers brushed against hers. Not demanding. Not forceful. Just contact. Just... there. And that was what gave him away. The shift, the crack in his armor, one she hadn¡¯t expected to see tonight. Her fingers curled in response, not pulling away. She looked at him. He looked at her. No words needed to be spoken. She knew. He knew. And that was why, when he leaned in, when his lips found hers¡ªnot demanding, not taking, but giving¡ªshe let herself accept it. And for the first time, Elliot wasn¡¯t in control. For the first time, he didn¡¯t aspire to be. Alexia stood slowly, fingers trailing against his wrist before sliding down to his palm. She led him toward the bedroom, not because he wanted her, but because she saw him... the real him. Strong. And weak. The smell of fresh coffee drifted through the air, mingling with the faint remnants of lavender and warmth that still clung to Alexia¡¯s skin. The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of Elliot¡¯s suite. Alexia sat, stirring her coffee as she glanced toward Elliot. He was dressed, crisp, and composed as ever, but something was different. It wasn¡¯t in his posture or his usual measured movements, but in the way he was looking at her¡ªlike she was something to be studied, something to be understood. Elliot finished the last bite of his eggs before setting his fork down beside the plate. ¡°You¡¯re quiet this morning.¡± Alexia took a slow sip of coffee before replying. ¡°Funny, I was about to say the same thing about you.¡± His expression didn¡¯t shift, but the way his fingers rested against the rim of his coffee cup told her he was considering his response. ¡°No regrets,¡± he said She held his gaze for a moment longer than necessary before looking away, a faint smile pulling at the corner of her lips. ¡°Good.¡± There was no need to say more. Last night I had spoken for itself. For the first time, neither of them felt the need to fill the silence. Elliot reached for the folder beside him and flipped it open, his attention shifting to the documents inside. Back to business. ¡°Ben, Ava, Harris, Sarah, and Anna will be with me at my office today handling some security matters.¡± Alexia listened, but waited for what came next. ¡°Would you like to have dinner with me this evening?¡± he asked, meeting her gaze. ¡°Ben and Ava will be joining.¡± It wasn¡¯t just an invitation; it was inclusion. A space being carved out for her within the structured world he controlled so carefully. Alexia hesitated, not because she didn¡¯t want to, but because this was new. Elliot didn¡¯t extend invitations lightly.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. She set her cup down and let the weight of the question settle between them. ¡°Alright,¡± she said. She picked up her coffee and leaned back in her chair, watching as Elliot turned his focus to the screen of his laptop. For once, she didn¡¯t feel like an outsider looking in. For once, she felt like she belonged. The drive to Cummings AI Innovative Technology Inc. was quiet. Elliot sat in the back of the SUV, eyes fixed on the shifting cityscape outside. Ben and Ava sat beside him, while Harris, Sarah, and Anna were in the second vehicle, keeping their conversations light but focused. They arrived at the towering headquarters, its presence a bold statement of power and precision. The security team at the entrance barely hesitated before waving them through; their internal databases already recognizing Elliot¡¯s presence as immediate clearance. He rarely made in-person visits, so his arrival was already raising speculation. Inside, analysts buried in their screens, tech developers immersed in silent, high-focus collaboration. It was a world Elliot had built¡ªone that operated even in his absence. As they entered the executive wing, Charles Markson was already waiting. ¡°Elliot,¡± Markson greeted. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you today.¡± ¡°That was the point.¡± Markson gestured toward the conference room. ¡°Shall we?¡± Ben, Ava, and Elliot followed, stepping into a space designed for negotiations that never left a paper trail. The room was minimal¡ªsound proof walls, a single long table, a screen mounted at the far end waiting for input. Markson¡¯s assistant, Megan Franks, was setting up access for Elliot¡¯s team. She worked efficiently her hands moving across the system interface with precision. As the doors sealed, Elliot moved toward the screen, hands in his pockets. ¡°We¡¯ll be running a security audit.¡± His voice was calm, unyielding. Markson hesitated. ¡°That wasn¡¯t scheduled.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to schedule.¡± ¡°You have full access.¡± Ava was already scanning the network. Ben pulled the last six months of system logs, access credentials, and internal changes. The room was silent except for the soft clicks of their commands running through encrypted systems. The sheer volume of data pouring onto the screen. ¡°Five internal breaches,¡± said Ava. ¡°Small... but deliberate.¡± Markson shifted in his seat. ¡°Is there an issue?¡± Elliot glanced at him. ¡°We¡¯ll determine that.¡± Ben and Ava continued scanning, cross-referencing key logs. The anomalies weren¡¯t blatant, nothing a surface-level audit would have flagged. But that was the problem. This wasn¡¯t reckless. This was careful. Ava¡¯s fingers hovered over the screen before she spoke. ¡°I¡¯ll need a copy of the full employee report.¡± Markson tapped a command, bringing up a list of all 1,587 employees. Elliot remained motionless, observing, absorbing the weight of what was unfolding. Ava continued scrolling through, her eyes trained on the data. ¡°We¡¯ll need to continue this at the mansion.¡± Ben glanced at Elliot. It was subtle, but the decision was made. Elliot turned to Markson. ¡°Harris, Sarah, and Anna will remain here. They¡¯ll oversee internal security upgrades. You¡¯ll accommodate them.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Ava closed the system interface with a swipe of her fingers, securing the data before standing. ¡°We have what we need.¡± They had what they came for, but they had just begun. The dining room in Elliot¡¯s estate had a certain stillness to it, despite the soft clink of silverware against porcelain. The long dining table, though typically set for formal gatherings, arranged for only four tonight¡ªElliot, Alexia, Ben, and Ava. The meal was at first, the rich aroma of steak and roasted potatoes mingling with the subtle spice of red wine. Alexia, seated next to Elliot, felt the difference in the room. She wasn¡¯t just here as a guest. She wasn¡¯t an outsider anymore. He had invited her to this dinner, and she knew why. She glanced at Ben and Ava, both engaged in measured conversation. They, too, had noted the shift. Elliot cut into his medium-rare steak, his movements slow, deliberate. ¡°The office was productive today,¡± he said, addressing Ben and Ava, but he glanced at Alexia briefly, gauging her reaction. ¡°There are some... things we¡¯ll need to sort out in the coming days.¡± Ben gave a slight nod. ¡°We¡¯ve got our team working on it from both angles. We¡¯ll see what turns up.¡± Alexia took a sip of wine, contemplating her next words. ¡°Your company,¡± she began, watching Elliot, ¡°it¡¯s more than just tech and business, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ava glanced up, a faint glint of interest in her eyes. Elliot met Alexia¡¯s gaze, reading between the lines of her question. ¡°It¡¯s always been more.¡± Alexia set her glass down. ¡°And yet, you¡¯ve never really let anyone in.¡± Elliot didn¡¯t reply immediately. Instead, he leaned back, studying her in the same way he had done at dinner the night before. Not calculating. Not assessing. Just... looking. ¡°Not until now,¡± he said. Ben and Ava remained silent. Alexia held his gaze, feeling the weight of what he wasn¡¯t saying. She had seen pieces of this side of Elliot before, but never like this. Never so open. It unsettled her, but it didn¡¯t make her want to pull away. She shifted her focus. ¡°You mentioned you¡¯d be working from the estate tomorrow,¡± she said, breaking the quiet tension with a deliberate shift. Elliot nodded, lifting his glass to his lips. ¡°Ben and Ava will be returning to the office to follow up. I¡¯ll be handling things from here.¡± A pause. Then, ¡°You¡¯re welcome to stay.¡± He had said it so simply. No demand. No expectation. Just an invitation. Alexia let the words settle between them before offering a slight nod. ¡°Alright.¡± Dinner continued, the conversation lightening just enough to breathe. But the undercurrent remained. Elliot had made it clear¡ªwithout saying much at all¡ªthat Alexia wasn¡¯t just passing through his world anymore. As the meal wound down, Elliot placed his napkin beside his plate and turned toward Alexia. ¡°Join me after?¡± It wasn¡¯t a question of obligation. Just an open door. She met his eyes. No hesitation this time. ¡°Okay.¡± Ava caught the briefest glance from Ben but said nothing. Because they all knew¡ªthis was only the beginning. Alexia followed him inside, glancing around at the dimly lit room. The warmth of a fire flickered in the corner, casting soft shadows along the sleek furniture. A large couch faced a minimalist entertainment setup, though neither of them seemed interested in watching anything. The evening had gone smoother than she expected. Dinner with Ben and Ava had been... easy. Almost normal. It was strange to think of anything about this situation as normal, yet somehow, it felt that way. She sank into the couch, letting herself settle into the moment. It wasn¡¯t forced. It wasn¡¯t calculated. It just was. The low volume of a movie played in the background, though neither of them paid much attention. For a while, silence stretched between them¡ªnot the uncomfortable kind, but the kind that held meaning. Elliot sat beside her. His usual tension softened just. His body language had changed, though she wasn¡¯t sure he even realized it. He wasn¡¯t sitting on the edge of his seat, ready to react. He wasn¡¯t assessing her with that sharp, unreadable gaze. Tonight, he was just... here. ¡°You¡¯re different,¡± she murmured. ¡°Maybe,¡± he admitted. Alexia turned, studying him in the dim light. She didn¡¯t push. She didn¡¯t need to. His gaze met hers for a moment before returning to the screen, though neither of them were watching the movie. A few more minutes passed in the quiet stillness. The weight of the day, the weight of everything, settled over them. Alexia let her body relax against the cushions, her head leaning on his shoulder, her breathing slowing. Elliot glanced at her, watching her for a moment longer than he should have. There was something about seeing her like this¡ªunguarded, at ease. It wasn¡¯t something he¡¯d allowed himself to focus on before. And then, he whispered, as if the words had slipped past his control, he said it. ¡°The truth is... I... I love you.¡± It wasn¡¯t a declaration. It wasn¡¯t meant to be heard. It was just... the truth. Elliot exhaled, staring straight ahead, unaware that Alexia¡¯s lips had curved into the slightest, imperceptible smile. She wasn¡¯t asleep, and she had heard every word. Unspoken Truth Alexia remained still, eyes closed, her breathing slow and even¡ªtoo even. Her heart raced beneath the calm fa?ade, the echo of Elliot¡¯s whispered confession vibrating in her chest. The truth is... I... I love you. He didn¡¯t move. The weight of his own words anchored him, caught between regret and something softer¡ªrelief? Alexia felt the air shift as he exhaled, heavy and drawn. Her mind spun, questioning whether to react, to speak¡ªto let him know she¡¯d heard every word. But she didn¡¯t. Instead, she shifted, the faintest movement. It was enough. Elliot tensed. Did she hear? He hesitated, then let out a sigh, his voice a whisper. ¡°What am I doing?¡± She felt the shift in the cushions as he leaned back against the couch, head tilted toward the ceiling, lost in thought. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. The sound of her soft, steady breathing grounded him, tethering him to the moment. But then he moved. Alexia felt it before it happened¡ªthe deliberate way he leaned forward, slipping his arms beneath her. She kept her body limp, her breathing unchanged as he lifted her gently, as though afraid she might shatter. Her heart pounded, but she didn¡¯t flinch. Elliot carried her through the dim suite, the warmth of his hold betraying more than he ever said aloud. She knew where he was taking her before they even arrived. The bed. He laid her down with a tenderness she hadn¡¯t expected, his hands lingering for a second too long before he pulled away. She felt the shift of air as he stood there, debating¡ªleave or stay? The mattress dipped. Elliot slid in beside her, not too close, but close enough that she could feel the heat of his body. For a moment, everything stilled. She listened¡ªhis breathing was slow and deepening as sleep crept over him. Only then did she let herself breathe again. The warmth beside her was gone. Alexia¡¯s eyes slowly open, the soft glow of morning filtering through sheer curtains. For a moment, there was peace¡ªuntil the scent hit her. Coffee. She sat up, the cool sheets a stark contrast to the lingering warmth. Elliot had been there. But not anymore. Stretching, she slipped out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. The faintest sound of movement guided her toward the open-plan kitchen. She stopped short at the sight. Elliot stood at the stove, sleeves pushed up, coffee in one hand, flipping pancakes with the other. Blueberry pancakes¡ªthe scent of sweet and unmistakable. For a moment, she just... watched. ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± he said without turning. She leaned casually against the island counter. ¡°You cook?¡± ¡°I know how to follow instructions.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see a recipe.¡± He shot her a sidelong glance. ¡°You think I need one?¡± A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she stepped closer. The smell of coffee was strong¡ªjust the way she liked it. Her gaze dropped to the pancakes, perfectly golden. ¡°You remembered,¡± she murmured, trying to sound casual. ¡°Of course I did,¡± he replied, the words simple but heavy. Something in her chest tightened, but she masked it by swiping a piece of pancake straight from the plate, popping it into her mouth. ¡°I was plating that.¡± ¡°Tastes good. Didn¡¯t know you had it in you.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t know about me.¡± Their eyes met, and for a moment, there was nothing else. ¡°True,¡± she agreed softly.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. The air shifted¡ªunspoken words hanging between them¡ªbut Elliot broke it first, flipping the last pancake. ¡°Sit,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you a plate.¡± And she did. The estate¡¯s private conference room buzzed with a quiet tension as Elliot, Ben, Ava, Alexia, Harris, Sarah, Steven, and Anna gathered around the elongated glass table. Harris stepped forward, a tablet in hand. ¡°We found five minor breaches¡ªnothing catastrophic, but someone¡¯s testing our defenses. Small gaps. Timed irregularities in patrols. Subtle, but intentional.¡± Steven added, ¡°We think someone on the inside is relaying security patterns. It¡¯s not random.¡± ¡°This is escalating, isn¡¯t it?¡± asked Alexia. Before Elliot could respond, the door opened, and Mae Chenco, followed by Stella Williams, Aaron Shultz, and David Parsons, entered the room. They carried themselves with quiet authority, but Ava¡¯s eyes sharpened the moment they walked in. Elliot stood. ¡°Mae, your team¡¯s findings?¡± Mae launched into her debrief, laying out the vulnerabilities they¡¯d found within Elliot¡¯s tech company. ¡°We¡¯ve identified anomalies in data logs¡ªpotential leak points. We¡¯re still reviewing the surveillance tapes, but nothing solid yet.¡± Ava said nothing at first, only tapping her stylus against her tablet. Her mind was already dissecting Mae¡¯s report, noting patterns Mae had missed. When Mae finished, Ava finally spoke. ¡°You¡¯re certain there were no irregularities in the staff¡¯s access logs?¡± Mae hesitated a second too long. ¡°We reviewed them twice. Nothing unusual.¡± Ava¡¯s silence was heavy. She didn¡¯t need to argue. She had already spotted three inconsistencies. She¡¯d dig deeper¡ªbut alone. Elliot nodded to Mae. ¡°Thanks. Have your team step into the adjoining room. Ava will want to review your footage before the day¡¯s out.¡± The four agents left, the tension trailing after them. As soon as the door shut, Ava leaned in. ¡°She¡¯s missing something. Or ignoring it.¡± Ben agreed. ¡°I don¡¯t trust Mae¡¯s instincts. She¡¯s too surface-level. We will go and check the system tonight.¡± ¡°I will work from here. What time are you thinking?¡± ¡°Around 2 am. I¡¯ll confirm later today,¡± said Ben. ¡°Tell them they can leave, and we¡¯ll contact them tomorrow,¡± said Elliot. ¡°Sounds perfect. We¡¯ll discuss further later,¡± said Ava. Alexia cut in through the tech talk. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. I know where we need to go.¡± ¡°You¡¯re thinking wine?¡± ¡°I must introduce you to Mali and Lali,¡± Alexia grinned. ¡°Upscale liquor store. Unbelievable place.¡± Ava put her right hand on her stomach. ¡°You know I can¡¯t drink right now.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve got more than wine. And something you¡¯ll want.¡± Alexia winked. The estate¡¯s calm shifted as Alexia, Ava, Sarah, and Anna headed toward the SUV parked near the main drive. Steven sat behind the wheel, ready to take them into town, while Ben and Harris followed in a second vehicle, maintaining backup at a distance. ¡°Ready for Mali & Lali?¡± Alexia grinned, sliding into the front seat. Ava chuckled. ¡°You know I can¡¯t drink right now.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve got plenty more than wine,¡± Alexia replied. ¡°Trust me.¡± The SUV wound through the quiet streets, the city lights glowing as they neared the upscale liquor store. Mali & Lali wasn¡¯t just known for its wine; it was a hidden gem, stocked with rare finds and hand-selected imports. Inside, Alexia led the way, selecting bottles while Ava focused on gourmet non-alcoholic options. Sarah and Anna lingered near a display of fine cheeses, exchanging quiet conversation. Steven kept a watchful eye, blending in while discreetly monitoring the store. Through his earpiece, he heard Ben¡¯s voice, steady and alert. ¡°All clear on our end. No tails.¡± ¡°Copy that,¡± Steven replied, eyes on the entrance. They left the store with black, sleek Mali & Lali tote bags in hand. Back at the estate, the patio was already lit with soft overhead lights. The group gathered around the large outdoor table as Alexia unpacked the haul. ¡°Told you they had more than wine,¡± Alexia said, passing Ava a premium sparkling grape juice. Ava examined the bottle. ¡°High quality. I approve.¡± The fridge held pre-prepped meals with a handwritten note taped to the top: ¡°For you all¡ªjust heat and enjoy.¡± Alexia smiled, grabbing the containers. Dinner was simple¡ªheated and served on the patio. Laughter filled the air, mingling with the clink of glasses and the distant sounds of the estate grounds. Ben leaned toward Harris. ¡°We leave at 2 am for the tech company. I want to check out Mae¡¯s team before they cover their tracks.¡± Steven overheard. ¡°Need a lookout?¡± Ben nodded. ¡°You¡¯re in.¡± As the night wound down, Elliot raised his glass. ¡°Tomorrow, we¡¯re back in it. Tonight¡ªthis.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get soft on me,¡± said Alexia. Elliot gave her a faint smile. ¡°One glass. Don¡¯t push it.¡± The moment felt fragile¡ªpeace before the storm. As the others drifted away, Elliot caught Alexia¡¯s eye. ¡°Join me in my suite?¡± She hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. ¡°Sure.¡± They sat on the couch in Elliot¡¯s living room area, the conversation started easy but then turning into quieter moments. ¡°These last few days,¡± Elliot began, ¡°they¡¯ve been¡­ unpredictable.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not used to unpredictable.¡± ¡°Not when it¡¯s this close.¡± The words hung between them before fading into silence. Elliot shifted closer, his eyes searching hers. Then, without warning, he kissed her. It was slow, deliberate, with an unexpected softness. Alexia didn¡¯t pull away. Elliot deepened the kiss, walking her into the bedroom. The clock struck 2 am. Ben, Harris, and Steven left the estate under the cover of darkness, slipping into an unmarked SUV. Ava remained behind, manning Elliot¡¯s command center from the estate. They arrived at Elliot¡¯s tech company, the towering glass building silent under the night sky. Inside, David Parsons was waiting, his arms crossed. ¡°You were right,¡± David greeted Ben. ¡°Mae¡¯s been digging into places she shouldn¡¯t.¡± They moved through the quiet hallways, reaching the surveillance hub. On the screens, Mae was visible, seated at a terminal, fingers flying across the keyboard. ¡°Caught her in the act,¡± Harris muttered. Ben didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± They burst into the room. Mae shot up from her seat, guilt splashed across her face. ¡°You¡¯re done,¡± Ben said flatly. Mae made a move to run, but Steven blocked the exit. Ben handcuffed her. ¡°Let¡¯s fix this mess she created,¡± said Ben. They spent the next three hours reversing her system hacks before loading Mae into the SUV. They returned to the estate around 6:30 am. Beneath the mansion, in an underground holding area only known to Elliot, Ava, and Ben before tonight, Mae sat cuffed in silent defiance. Elliot stood beside Ava, both of them watching from behind the glass. ¡°She wasn¡¯t working alone,¡± Ava said. ¡°We¡¯ll use her to find out who is,¡± Elliot replied. Above them, Alexia stirred awake in Elliot¡¯s suite. Finding the mansion eerily quiet, she wandered to the kitchen but found no one. She pulled out her phone and texted Elliot. Where is everyone? The reply was instant. Go back to the suite. I¡¯ll be there soon. Alexia returned to Elliot¡¯s suite, settling on the couch. Moments later, he walked in. ¡°Where is everyone?¡± she asked. Elliot hesitated for a moment. ¡°The truth is¡­ they¡¯re¡­¡± The Message Alexia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing at Elliot. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Elliot hesitated, his jaw tightening, as if weighing how much he should say. Before he could answer, a sharp knock at the door cut through the tension. Elliot opened it. Ava stood there, her expression unreadable, but her stance spoke volumes¡ªthis wasn¡¯t a casual visit. ¡°We need to talk,¡± Ava said firmly. ¡°Now. And Alexia needs to come, too.¡± Elliot didn¡¯t move. ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± Ava¡¯s voice remained steady. ¡°We can¡¯t keep her out of the loop, Elliot. It¡¯s getting serious.¡± Elliot glanced at Alexia, his hesitation clear. ¡°What about Ben? Does he agree?¡± ¡°Absolutely. We¡¯re meeting in the conference room¡ªHarris and Steven are already there. Sarah and Anna are downstairs guarding Mae.¡± Silence stretched between them. Alexia felt the weight of something unspoken in Elliot¡¯s hesitation, but she didn¡¯t back down. ¡°If this concerns me, I deserve to know.¡± Elliot sighed, rubbing his temple before finally relenting. ¡°Fine. Bring everything you have to the conference room.¡± Ava didn¡¯t waste another second. She pulled out her phone and sent a single text to Ben. Yes. Now. Alexia exchanged a glance with Elliot before following Ava out the door. Whatever this was¡ªit wasn¡¯t just serious. It was about to change everything. The conference room was already buzzing with quiet tension by the time Elliot, Alexia, and Ava arrived. Harris stood near the display screen, reviewing security logs, while Steven sat at the table, fingers drumming against the surface. Ben leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, watching as they entered. His expression gave nothing away, but the tightness in his jaw said enough. Alexia took in the atmosphere, the weight of something unsaid pressing into her chest. Whatever they had uncovered, it wasn¡¯t good. Elliot was the first to speak. ¡°Tell me.¡± Harris didn¡¯t look up from the screen. ¡°Mae was deeper in than we thought.¡± He tapped the display, highlighting access logs. ¡°She wasn¡¯t just poking around¡ªshe was coordinating. She¡¯s been in contact with someone outside, but we haven¡¯t traced who yet.¡± Ava exhaled sharply, pulling out a chair but not sitting. ¡°I¡¯ll handle her.¡± Ben smirked, glancing at Harris. ¡°She¡¯s got it coming.¡± Harris nodded. ¡°Yeah, better her than me.¡± Alexia shifted her weight, watching Ava. There was something lethal in her calm. ¡°And if she doesn¡¯t talk?¡± ¡°She will,¡± Ava said, then glanced at Ben. ¡°But first, we need to handle something else.¡± A knock at the door interrupted them. Steven moved first, opening it to reveal Ricardo, the estate¡¯s longtime gardener. He stood there, dirt still on his gloves, holding a plain brown package. ¡°Found this at the far end of the estate,¡± Ricardo said, his tone neutral. ¡°Looked out of place, figured you¡¯d want to see it.¡± Steven took it from him, his eyes scanning the unmarked surface. ¡°Where exactly?¡± ¡°Near the east boundary,¡± Ricardo replied. ¡°I was walking the grounds before starting work over there.¡± Steven nodded. ¡°Got it. Thanks.¡± Ricardo gave a small nod before turning and walking off without another word. Elliot¡¯s eyes followed him before shifting to the package in Steven¡¯s hands. ¡°Put it on the table.¡± Ben stepped closer as Steven placed the package down. No labels. No markings. Just a simple, unassuming box. Ava exhaled. ¡°Open it.¡± Steven grabbed a knife from his belt, slicing through the tape before carefully unfolding the flaps. Inside, nestled in a layer of packing paper, sat a burner phone. One message flashed on the screen. "You can¡¯t protect her." The room went still. Ava reached for the phone, running a scan with her device. A moment later, she shook her head. ¡°No prints. No digital trace. Whoever sent this knew exactly what they were doing.¡± Harris muttered a curse under his breath. ¡°They¡¯re watching us.¡± Ben¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°And they want us to know it.¡± Elliot looked at Alexia, his hesitation lingering. But before he could decide what to say, Alexia took control. She grabbed the phone, and without hesitation, dialed the only saved number. The line clicked. A voice answered. ¡°I was wondering when you¡¯d call.¡± The underground holding room was dimly lit, a single overhead bulb casting sharp shadows along the concrete walls. The air was cool, sterile¡ªunforgiving. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Mae sat in the chair, her wrists resting on the armrests, her posture deceptively relaxed. But Ava saw through it. The tension in her shoulders. The way her fingers curled slightly against the metal frame. Mae was trying to act unaffected. Ava took her time stepping into the room. She didn¡¯t rush. Didn¡¯t speak. She pulled a chair from the corner and placed it directly in front of Mae before sitting down. Not too close. Not too far. Just enough to let the silence work for her. Mae smirked, but it didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°So, what¡¯s this? Good cop, bad cop?¡± Ava tilted her head slightly. ¡°No. Just me.¡± Mae scoffed. ¡°Then this¡¯ll be quick. I¡¯m not saying a damn thing.¡± Ava let a small pause stretch between them before speaking, her voice almost conversational. ¡°You know, I¡¯ve been in this room before. Not as an interrogator¡ªon the other side.¡± She leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. ¡°There¡¯s a moment when you realize you have two choices. Be useful. Or be forgotten.¡± Mae¡¯s smirk wavered. Ava pressed on. ¡°You¡¯re not some mastermind, Mae. You¡¯re a pawn. Disposable. Whoever you¡¯re protecting?¡± She shrugged. ¡°They¡¯re not here. And trust me, they¡¯re not coming for you.¡± Silence. Ava folded her arms, letting the weight of her words settle. ¡°I can have you sitting in this room for days. Weeks. No sunlight. No contact. Eventually, you¡¯ll talk. But let me tell you something.¡± She leaned forward, her voice soft but sharp as a blade. ¡°You talk now, and maybe¡ªmaybe¡ªyou walk out of here one day.¡± Mae exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. ¡°Nice speech.¡± Ava¡¯s lips barely twitched. ¡°I don¡¯t do speeches. I deal in reality.¡± Mae crossed her arms. ¡°And I deal in loyalty.¡± Ava nodded slowly, as if considering. Then she stood up. Walked toward the door. Stopped just before opening it. ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll let Ben handle this.¡± Mae stiffened. Ava saw it. Felt it. The slightest shift in Mae¡¯s bravado. A beat of silence passed before Mae exhaled sharply. ¡°Wait.¡± Ava turned back. Mae clenched her jaw. ¡°Megan Franks. Stan Baker. That¡¯s who I dealt with.¡± Ava didn¡¯t react. Didn¡¯t let Mae see just how valuable that piece of information was. ¡°Who do they work for?¡± Mae¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Ava studied her carefully, searching for a lie. Mae held her gaze. She wasn¡¯t breaking further. Not yet. Ava stepped closer. ¡°That¡¯s all you¡¯re giving me?¡± Mae¡¯s voice was flat. ¡°It¡¯s all I¡¯ve got.¡± Ava lingered for a moment, then nodded once. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± She turned, this time leaving for real. As the door shut behind her, she pulled out her phone and sent a message. Ben. We¡¯ve got names. Alexia stood in front of the canvas, the brush poised between her fingers, but her mind was somewhere else. The tension from earlier still clung to her, wrapping around her thoughts like an iron coil. The strokes on the canvas were deliberate, sharp contrasts of deep blue cutting through the warm undertones. It wasn¡¯t about creating something beautiful¡ªthis was about release. She barely registered the soft knock on the studio door before Ava stepped inside. For a moment, Ava just watched. ¡°You lose yourself in this, don¡¯t you?¡± she finally said. Alexia didn¡¯t turn. ¡°It¡¯s the only thing that makes sense when everything else doesn¡¯t.¡± Ava moved closer, taking in the half-finished painting. ¡°Looks different from your others.¡± Alexia exhaled. ¡°Because it is.¡± Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts. Ava leaned against the edge of a worktable, arms crossed. ¡°Tell me about the voice.¡± Alexia lowered the brush, staring at the wet paint. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to place it all night.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°I know I¡¯ve heard it before.¡± Alexia pressed her fingers against her temples, frustration flickering in her expression. ¡°I just don¡¯t know where.¡± Ava didn¡¯t rush her. ¡°Think.¡± ¡°If I force it, it won¡¯t come.¡± Alexia shook her head. ¡°But I¡¯ll remember. And when I do, you¡¯ll be the first to know.¡± Ava studied her for a long moment, then gave a small nod. ¡°Alright.¡± She didn¡¯t push. Not yet. Alexia turned back to the canvas, dipping her brush into the paint. ¡°Did you ever have something you knew was important but couldn¡¯t grasp it?¡± Ava¡¯s gaze darkened slightly. ¡°Once.¡± Alexia glanced at her, sensing more beneath the answer, but Ava didn¡¯t elaborate. Ava pushed off the worktable. ¡°I¡¯ll let you get back to it.¡± Alexia nodded. As Ava reached the door, Alexia¡¯s voice stopped her. ¡°Ava.¡± Ava turned back. ¡°If I remember, it changes everything, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Ava met her gaze. ¡°Yeah. It does.¡± Then she was gone. The dining room held an odd sense of calm, the kind that came after too many unanswered questions. The long wooden table was set, but no one was fully at ease. Elliot, Alexia, Ben, and Ava sat with plates in front of them, but the meal was secondary to everything else hanging in the air. Security. Threats. The unknown. Still, Alexia pushed forward, needing something normal. She set her fork down and looked at Elliot. ¡°I started the seventh painting today.¡± Elliot met her gaze. ¡°For the gallery show?¡± She nodded. ¡°It¡¯ll be ready by tomorrow. Which means they can pick up the full collection in two weeks, once they¡¯re dry. I¡¯ll send them images with all the details, but I need to see the space. I need to know how they¡¯re planning to set it up.¡± A pause. ¡°Or should we postpone?¡± Ben glanced at Elliot before speaking. ¡°The show goes forward.¡± Ava nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll supply extra security at the event. No one touches those paintings, and no one gets near you without clearance.¡± Alexia took a slow breath. ¡°You think it¡¯s necessary?¡± Ben¡¯s voice was firm. ¡°Yes.¡± Elliot leaned forward. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the contract details. You just focus on the art.¡± A beat of silence passed. Alexia¡¯s fingers brushed against the edge of her wine glass. ¡°Alright. Then we move forward.¡± Elliot held her gaze a second longer before nodding. The conversation shifted briefly to logistics, but the underlying tension never fully left. They all felt it. The unknown was still out there. Waiting. Alexia stood in the center of Elliot¡¯s suite, arms crossed, eyes burning with fury. The tension between them had been simmering for days, but now it was ready to boil over. ¡°You think an apology will fix this?¡± Her voice was sharp, laced with something deeper¡ªsomething raw. Elliot didn¡¯t move from where he stood, just a few feet away. He exhaled slowly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Good.¡± She let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Because you didn¡¯t just help me, Elliot. You made sure I had no other choice.¡± His jaw tensed. ¡°I had to get you to safety.¡± ¡°Damn you, Elliot.¡± She stepped closer, refusing to let him dodge this. ¡°You arranged everything¡ªmy eviction, my lost exhibitions. You cut me off from every other option until the only thing left was you.¡± Elliot¡¯s silence was the only confirmation she needed. Alexia shook her head. ¡°Do you even realize what you did to me?¡± ¡°I do.¡± His voice was low. ¡°And I know I¡ª¡± ¡°Do you?¡± She didn¡¯t let him finish. ¡°Because it wasn¡¯t just about losing my home. You didn¡¯t just take my apartment, Elliot. You took my anger, my work, my choices.¡± Her hands clenched at her sides, her chest rising and falling with every breath. ¡°You knew about the HATE painting, didn¡¯t you? You knew what it meant.¡± Elliot¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You set up that gallery show behind my back.¡± ¡°I did.¡± Alexia¡¯s heart pounded. ¡°And you stood there, watching me lose everything, just so you could swoop in and play the hero.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to be a hero.¡± His voice was steady but quiet. ¡°I saw the painting before you did. And it wasn¡¯t just anger, Alexia. It was power.¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°The world needed to see it,¡± Elliot continued. ¡°And whether you¡¯ll admit it or not, you needed to be seen.¡± Alexia looked away, because the worst part¡ªthe absolute worst part¡ªwas that he wasn¡¯t wrong. She felt it every time she stepped into that gallery and saw people feel something when they looked at her work. She had been invisible for too long. And Elliot¡­ he never let her be invisible. But that didn¡¯t erase what he had done. ¡°You always have to control everything.¡± Elliot stepped closer. ¡°I did what I had to do.¡± ¡°You always say that.¡± Silence. Alexia could feel the weight of him¡ªhis presence, his quiet intensity. Her pulse skittered. Elliot took another step. This close, she could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the way his shoulders weren¡¯t as rigid as usual. He looked¡­ almost defeated. For the first time, he wasn¡¯t fighting her. His voice softened. ¡°The truth is... Alexia... I don¡¯t want¡ª¡± Chapter 12: Revelations Alexia¡¯s arms crossed over her chest, her fingers digging into her sides. ¡°The truth is¡­ what, Elliot?¡± His jaw tensed, the silence stretching as he weighed his next words. His usual confidence was gone, replaced by something far more vulnerable. ¡°The truth is¡­¡± He let out a slow exhale. ¡°I didn¡¯t just do it to protect you.¡± A sharp chill ran through her. ¡°Then why?¡± Elliot stepped closer. ¡°Because I needed to know you were safe. Because I couldn¡¯t¡ª¡± He hesitated, his expression dark with something unspoken. ¡°Because I didn¡¯t want to lose you.¡± Alexia¡¯s pulse pounded. ¡°You manipulated my life, Elliot. My career. My home. You made sure I had no other choice.¡± His gaze flickered with something she couldn¡¯t place. ¡°I made sure you weren¡¯t alone.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the same thing.¡± Elliot reached for her, but she stepped back. His fingers curled into a fist at his side. ¡°Tell me you don¡¯t feel this,¡± he said, voice lower now, heavier. Alexia¡¯s throat tightened. ¡°Feel what?¡± Instead of answering, he kissed her. It wasn¡¯t gentle. It wasn¡¯t careful. It was heat and frustration, a collision of emotion that neither of them could control. Her hands pressed against his chest¡ªnot to push him away, but to steady herself against the sudden storm. His grip tightened at her waist, pulling her closer. Then she broke away, panting, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for this, Elliot.¡± A slow smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°Really?¡± His hands traced a slow path along her spine, and before she could find words, he kissed her again¡ªslower this time, teasing, deliberate. And then, just as suddenly, she pulled back again, her voice raw. ¡°Not tonight.¡± Elliot searched her eyes, then exhaled. He released her, stepping back. The following morning, a stifling tension hung in the conference room. Ava¡¯s voice was steady. ¡°Mae gave up two names¡ªMegan Franks and Stan Baker. She claims that¡¯s all she knows.¡± Harris let out a low breath. ¡°That¡¯s a lie.¡± Jacob nodded. ¡°She¡¯s protecting someone.¡± Elliot drummed his fingers against the table. ¡°We need leverage.¡± ¡°Ben and I are going back in,¡± said Ava determined. Ben¡¯s gazed at Ava, a silent agreement passing between them. Taylor frowned. ¡°And after that?¡± Ben¡¯s voice was like steel. ¡°We decide what happens to Mae.¡± A moment of silence followed. Elliot looked at Alexia, then back at Ava. ¡°If she¡¯s lying, we need to break her.¡± Ava¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Oh, I will.¡± The room settled into uneasy silence. The underground holding room was dim. Mae sat slouched in the chair, her wrists draped over the armrests in a show of false confidence. She had been here long enough to know they weren¡¯t going to rough her up¡ªnot physically, at least. But she wasn¡¯t dealing with ordinary interrogators. The door opened, and Ava stepped inside. She didn¡¯t sit. Didn¡¯t rush. She let the silence press in like a slow-moving vice. Mae smirked. ¡°You again? I was hoping for a change of scenery.¡± Ava tilted her head slightly, studying Mae like she was a puzzle missing pieces. ¡°You want scenery? I can arrange that. Solitary confinement has a lovely, windowless view.¡± Mae¡¯s smirk twitched, but she held her ground. ¡°Go ahead. Not like I have much to say.¡± Ava folded her arms, her tone casual. ¡°You gave us names. Now we need locations.¡± Mae leaned back, feigning boredom. ¡°Even if I knew, you think I¡¯d tell you?¡± Ava exhaled, then turned her back on Mae as if she wasn¡¯t worth the effort. ¡°Alright. We¡¯re done here.¡± Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. She walked toward the door. Mae frowned slightly, caught off guard by the sudden shift. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± The door opened again. Ben stepped inside. His presence alone shifted the air in the room. He didn¡¯t say a word at first¡ªjust closed the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed. His dark eyes locked onto Mae, unreadable but sharp. The silence stretched. Mae swallowed. Ben finally moved, dragging a chair across the floor and positioning it directly in front of Mae. The loud scraping sound filled the small space, grating against her nerves. He sat, elbows resting on his knees, staring at her like a predator sizing up its prey. Mae¡¯s fingers twitched slightly on the armrests. Ben¡¯s voice was low, controlled. ¡°You think they¡¯ll come for you?¡± Mae scoffed, but it lacked confidence. ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± Ben leaned in, just slightly. ¡°They left you to rot.¡± Mae¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°You were a useful distraction,¡± Ben continued, his tone almost conversational. ¡°But now? You¡¯re a loose end. And people like them don¡¯t like loose ends.¡± Mae looked away, pressing her lips together. Ava watched the exchange, her arms still folded. She had seen Ben work before¡ªhis patience, his precision. He didn¡¯t use force. He used the truth, wielding it like a scalpel. Ben exhaled slowly. ¡°This is your last chance, Mae. You either help yourself, or you make peace with the fact that no one out there gives a damn about you.¡± A tense pause. Mae¡¯s shoulders sagged slightly. She exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. ¡°There¡¯s a house,¡± she muttered. ¡°Ten miles out. Off the main road. They were there a few days ago.¡± Ben held her gaze a second longer, then stood. Ava turned to Taylor. ¡°Lock her down. No one in, no one out.¡± Taylor nodded, stepping forward. Mae let out a bitter laugh. ¡°You¡¯re wasting your time. They¡¯ll be long gone.¡± Ava met Ben¡¯s gaze. ¡°Maybe. But let¡¯s find out.¡± They left without another word. The sun hung high, casting sharp shadows across the rural landscape as Ben, Harris, Steven, and Jacob drove along a desolate road just outside of town. The SUV rumbled over the uneven asphalt, the air thick with dust and dry heat. Harris checked the GPS on his phone. ¡°The house should be about a quarter mile off the main road, down that dirt path.¡± Ben slowed the vehicle, eyes scanning the area. The landscape was sparse¡ªrolling hills, clusters of trees, but no nearby houses in sight. The location was smart. Isolated. Easy to defend. Steven, sitting up front, adjusted his earpiece. ¡°This place has been in use recently. No way they stayed put, but if we¡¯re lucky, we¡¯ll find something useful.¡± Ben pulled off onto the dirt road, tires crunching over loose gravel as they made their way toward the house. The structure came into view¡ªa small, run-down place, its paint peeling, a broken porch step sagging under its own weight. The yard was overgrown, and a single window had its curtains drawn. Jacob scanned the surroundings. ¡°No cars, no movement. Doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s empty.¡± Ben killed the engine and stepped out first, adjusting his weapon holster. ¡°Harris, Jacob¡ªtake the back. Steven, you¡¯re with me up front. Move quietly.¡± They split up, Harris and Jacob disappearing around the side while Ben and Steven approached the front porch. Every step on the wooden boards creaked under their weight. Ben tried the door. Unlocked. A glance at Steven was all it took, and they moved in. The inside smelled of dust and stale air. Sunlight filtered through slanted blinds, casting sharp lines across the wooden floor. The place was in disarray¡ªan open duffel bag near the couch, empty takeout containers, a half-finished bottle of water on the counter. Steven crouched near a stack of papers on a small table. ¡°They were just here.¡± Ben kneeled, running his fingers over faint tracks in the dust. ¡°Less than a day ago.¡± Harris and Jacob entered through the back. ¡°Clear,¡± Harris reported. ¡°But you¡¯re gonna want to see this.¡± He tossed a folder onto the rickety kitchen table. Ben flipped it open, his gaze locking onto a map¡ªof the estate. Steven leaned over his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Handwritten notes lined the edges of the map. Timelines. Schedules. Security checkpoints. Ben exhaled sharply. ¡°They weren¡¯t just hiding out,¡± he muttered. ¡°They were watching us.¡± Jacob scanned the room. ¡°So, where the hell are they now?¡± Ben shut the folder. ¡°Gone¡ªbut not far.¡± He turned to Harris. ¡°Bag everything useful. We take it back to the estate.¡± As they exited the house, the afternoon heat bore down on them. The silence felt heavier now. Whoever they were dealing with wasn¡¯t just running. They were planning. And the next move was coming. The estate¡¯s conference room was tense as Ben, Harris, Steven, and Jacob returned from their fruitless search. Ava and Elliot were already seated, waiting, while Alexia sat at the far end of the table, her fingers drumming lightly against its surface. The air was thick with frustration¡ªanother dead end. Ben tossed the crumpled receipt onto the table. ¡°They were there. Not long ago. But they¡¯re gone now.¡± Ava frowned, picking it up. ¡°A hardware store receipt?¡± ¡°Dated yesterday,¡± Steven added. ¡°Could be nothing, could be something. They left in a hurry, but they weren¡¯t careless.¡± Elliot exhaled sharply. ¡°So, we¡¯re still chasing ghosts.¡± A heavy silence followed, each of them deep in thought. Then Alexia¡¯s fingers froze mid-drum against the table. Something clicked. A voice. Not just any voice¡ªthe one from the burner phone message. The one that had been haunting the edges of her memory for days. Her pulse quickened. Ava noticed the shift in her expression. ¡°Alexia?¡± Alexia swallowed hard, looking at Ava. ¡°I know that voice.¡± The room went still. Ben leaned forward. ¡°Who?¡± Alexia closed her eyes, searching for her memories. The cadence, the way the words had been spoken¡ªwhere had she heard it before? And then ¡ª 209. Her eyes snapped open. ¡°Marla Richards,¡± she said, her voice firm. ¡°She lived in apartment 209 at my old place.¡± Elliot stiffened. ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± Alexia nodded. ¡°I never really knew her, just ran into her in the hall. But I heard her voice plenty of times. And that message¡ª¡®I was wondering when you¡¯d call.¡¯ It was her. I¡¯d bet everything on it.¡± Ava sat back, absorbing the revelation. ¡°So, she¡¯s connected to Megan and Stan.¡± ¡°She wasn¡¯t just a neighbor. I remember something else¡ªshe used to talk with Kelton Rioz, the landlord. They were always whispering in the hallway.¡± Ava¡¯s mind went into overdrive. ¡°Kelton Rioz¡­¡± she repeated. ¡°That¡¯s a name I haven¡¯t heard before.¡± Alexia nodded. ¡°He was always around. Watching. Listening. I thought he was just nosy, but now¡ª¡± Elliot¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Now it makes sense.¡± Ben stood. ¡°Then we have our next targets.¡± Ava¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I¡¯ll dig into both of them. If they¡¯re tied to Megan and Stan, they¡¯re working for someone bigger.¡± ¡°If they¡¯ve been moving this carefully, they won¡¯t be easy to track,¡± said Harris. Ava¡¯s lips curved slightly. ¡°They¡¯re careful. But they¡¯re not ghosts. We¡¯ll find them.¡± Elliot met Alexia¡¯s gaze. ¡°You just gave us our first real lead.¡± Alexia swallowed, exhaling. She hadn¡¯t expected to be the one to break the case wide open. Ava stood. ¡°We¡¯ll reconvene tomorrow morning. I¡¯ll have answers by then.¡± Elliot turned back to Alexia, his voice quieter. ¡°You, okay?¡± She gave a small nod. ¡°Yeah. Just¡­ processing.¡± Ben clapped a hand on the table. ¡°Then let¡¯s get to work.¡± The meeting ended, but the weight of what they had just uncovered lingered. The chase was far from over¡ªif anything, it had only just begun. Stop Overthinking Soft classical music played in the background as Alexia stood before her latest canvas, lost in the steady rhythm of her brushstrokes. The dim glow from the studio¡¯s overhead lights bathed the room in a warm hue, reflecting off the array of paintings lining the walls. Each piece held its own intensity, but the one she worked on now¡ªbold strokes of crimson slashing across a muted backdrop¡ªfelt different. A knock at the open door made her pause. Ava stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes scanning the studio with quiet appreciation, before settling on Alexia. ¡°Impressive.¡± Alexia set down her brush, wiping her hands on a rag. ¡°That¡¯s one word for it.¡± Ava stepped inside, moving with ease through the space. ¡°I wanted to thank you.¡± ¡°For what?¡± ¡°For remembering. For putting that piece together.¡± Ava¡¯s gaze turned to the half-finished painting. ¡°That name¡ªMarla Richards. It¡¯s our first real thread in a tangled mess. It means something.¡± Alexia let out a breath, leaning against the table. ¡°I don¡¯t know her well. She was just another neighbor, another face in passing.¡± She hesitated, then added, ¡°But I did notice something about her.¡± Ava nodded, urging her to continue. ¡°She spent a lot of time talking to Kelton Rioz, the landlord. Not in the usual ¡®tenant complaining to management¡¯ way. More¡­ private. Hushed conversations in the hall, just out of earshot.¡± Ava processed this, her fingers tapping lightly against the table. ¡°And you think he¡¯s connected?¡± Alexia exhaled. ¡°I didn¡¯t think anything of it at the time. But now?¡± She met Ava¡¯s gaze. ¡°I think I¡¯d be stupid not to.¡± Ava¡¯s expression was unreadable, but something¡ªsatisfaction, maybe¡ªcrossed her face. ¡°That¡¯s exactly the kind of detail I needed.¡± Alexia smirked slightly. ¡°So, I¡¯m officially useful now?¡± Ava¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°You¡¯ve been useful. Now you¡¯re just more involved than you probably wanted to be.¡± Alexia shrugged, but there was no denying the weight of it. ¡°Story of my life.¡± Ava leaned against the table beside her, gaze fixed on the painting. ¡°Your work¡ªwhat does this one mean?¡± Alexia hesitated before speaking. ¡°Frustration. Chaos. Not knowing what¡¯s coming next.¡± She gestured vaguely. ¡°It¡¯s unfinished.¡± Ava glanced at her. ¡°Like this situation.¡± Alexia met her eyes, a knowing look passing between them. ¡°Exactly.¡± Ava straightened, a thoughtful expression settling over her. ¡°I¡¯ll be looking into Marla and Kelton first thing in the morning. If they¡¯re tied to something bigger, we¡¯ll know soon enough.¡± Alexia nodded, but something still nagged at her. ¡°And if they disappear?¡± Ava¡¯s gaze darkened slightly. ¡°Then we find out who erased them.¡± A moment of silence passed before Alexia spoke again. ¡°You think we¡¯re in deeper than we realize, don¡¯t you?¡± Ava didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, she looked at the painting again. Then, finally¡­ ¡°I think we¡¯ve only scratched the surface.¡± Alexia swallowed, the weight of those words settled in. Ava turned toward the door. ¡°Get some rest. Tomorrow¡¯s going to be a long day.¡± Alexia watched her go, then turned back to the canvas. She picked up her brush, and with slow, deliberate strokes, continued painting. Ben, Harris, Steven, and Jacob stood outside the rundown apartment building, scanning the dimly lit entrance. The building smelled of dust, stale air, and faint traces of cigarette smoke¡ªlike a place that held secrets in its walls. The new landlord, Roger Stamp, a wiry man with thinning hair and a nervous tick in his left eye, stood with his arms crossed. His expression was carefully neutral, but Ben caught the way his fingers twitched slightly against his sleeve. ¡°They moved out three days ago,¡± Roger said. His voice was casual, too casual. Too convenient. ¡°Did they leave a forwarding address?¡± Harris asked, pulling out a small notepad. Roger gave a slow shake of his head. ¡°Nope. Cleaned out the place. Didn¡¯t say where they were going.¡± Ben exchanged a glance with Steven. This wasn¡¯t adding up. People like Marla and Kelton don¡¯t just disappear unless¡­ Jacob stepped closer, his tone edged with suspicion. ¡°You¡¯re sure you didn¡¯t see anyone unusual hanging around before they left? No one meeting them?¡± Roger scratched his chin, glancing toward the stairwell as if debating how much to say. ¡°Look¡­ I mind my business. But a couple nights before they took off, I saw a black SUV parked outside. Tinted windows. Sat there for hours, engine running. No one got out. Next morning? Marla and Kelton were gone.¡± Ben¡¯s fingers tightened into a fist. They didn¡¯t just leave¡­ they were extracted. ¡°Anyone else know them?¡± Steven pressed. ¡°Neighbors?¡± Roger snorted. ¡°Most people keep to themselves here. But if you¡¯re looking for more dirt, you won¡¯t find it in my building. I bought this place legit. Whatever trouble they were in? Ain¡¯t my problem.¡± Ben exhaled sharply, weighing their next move. This wasn¡¯t just a dead end¡ªit was a message. Someone was one step ahead. One hour later, at the estate, Ava sat at her desk, multiple screens glowing as she ran search after search. ¡°No leases. No tax records. No traffic cams. Marla Richards and Kelton Rioz might as well have never existed.¡± She clicked through yet another database, frustration tightening her shoulders. ¡°They didn¡¯t vanish,¡± she hissed. ¡°They¡¯re somewhere. We just don¡¯t know where¡ªyet.¡± Ben exhaled, nodding. ¡°Then we find them.¡± And this time, they wouldn¡¯t just be chasing shadows. The evening air carried a faint chill, filtering through the open windows of the studio. The scent of fresh paint mixed with the subtle warmth of dim lighting, casting long shadows across the walls. Alexia stood in front of her easel, her gaze fixed on the last strokes of her seventh and last piece. The collection was complete. She exhaled slowly, stepping back to take it all in. Six paintings with the first one already at the gallery waiting on these six to complete the set. Seven truths. Each one was an unfiltered reflection of her journey so far. A quiet knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned just as Elliot stepped inside. He didn¡¯t speak right away, his eyes scanning the paintings before finally settling on her. ¡°I knew you¡¯d finish it tonight,¡± he said, his voice low. Alexia smirked. ¡°That predictable, huh?¡± Elliot stepped closer, hands in his pockets. ¡°Not predictable. Just inevitable.¡± She turned back to the painting, her arms crossing. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± He moved beside her, taking in the entire series¡ªthe raw emotion in each stroke, the unspoken stories embedded in the colors. ¡°They deserve a showing.¡± She scoffed. ¡°You¡¯ve already arranged it.¡± Elliot didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°Because they deserve to be seen.¡± Alexia¡¯s fingers curled slightly against her arm. ¡°This wasn¡¯t supposed to be for the world. It was for me.¡± Elliot studied her, reading beyond the words. ¡°That¡¯s why it matters.¡± Silence settled between them, thick with something unspoken. Elliot reached out, his fingers grazing the edge of the canvas. ¡°This one¡ªwhat does it mean?¡± Alexia hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s the moment before something breaks. The edge of knowing.¡± This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°And do you know now?¡± She exhaled. ¡°Not yet.¡± A pause. Then he stepped in closer, his presence brushing against hers. ¡°You will.¡± Alexia¡¯s pulse quickened, but she didn¡¯t step away. His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment, the air shifted¡ªcharged, waiting. Then, before she could process it, his mouth was on hers. A slow, deliberate kiss that stole the breath from her lungs. It wasn¡¯t rushed or demanding¡ªjust steady, like he was waiting for her to catch up. Alexia froze for half a second, then pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. ¡°Elliot¡­¡± He smirked. ¡°Not in the mood?¡± She swallowed, the war between hesitation and desire flashing across her face. ¡°No.¡± His smirk deepened. ¡°Really?¡± And then he kissed her again. This time, she didn¡¯t pull away. The brush in her hand slipped to the floor, forgotten. The air between them thickened, charged with something undeniable. Alexia could still feel the weight of Elliot¡¯s kiss, the warmth lingering against her lips even as she took a step back. Elliot watched her, his sharp gaze locked onto hers, reading everything she wasn¡¯t saying. He had always been able to do that¡ªsee beyond the walls she put up. Alexia pressed her fingers to her temple, grounding herself. ¡°This¡­ isn¡¯t what I need right now.¡± Elliot¡¯s lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk appearing, but there was something different in his eyes. Something deeper. ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± She exhaled sharply. ¡°Elliot¡ª¡± He stepped forward, closing the distance again, but slower this time. Measured. Controlled. His voice dipped quieter but no less intense. ¡°Tell me to stop.¡± Alexia¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She should say it. Push him away. But the words never came. Instead, Elliot¡¯s fingers brushed against her wrist, the smallest touch, but it sent a shiver racing up her spine. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking,¡± he murmured. ¡°I always think,¡± she countered. Elliot¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smirk. ¡°And I always win.¡± Her pulse jumped, frustration in her eyes. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game.¡± ¡°I never said it was.¡± His fingers trailed up her arm, slow, deliberate. Alexia sucked in a breath. He wasn¡¯t pushing¡ªjust waiting. Giving her the chance to pull away. She didn¡¯t. ¡°Damn it, Elliot.¡± Elliot looked at her until their eyes met. ¡°Still not in the mood?¡± Alexia¡¯s resolve wavered, her body betraying her even as her mind screamed at her to keep control. ¡°I hate you,¡± she whispered, though there was no venom in her voice. Elliot¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°I know.¡± And then, with the slightest tilt of his head, he kissed her again. This time, she didn¡¯t fight his warmth and hunger for her. Her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer. The tension that had been simmering finally boiled over, and Alexia let herself stop thinking. ¡°Hmm, I¡­¡± Elliot stopped her words by putting his fingers on her lips then picked her up and carried her to his bed at the other end of the mansion. She didn¡¯t resist. For just this moment. The world outside could wait. The truth is¡­ right now¡­ this was the only thing that¡­ Soft classical music played in the background as Alexia stood before her latest canvas, lost in the steady rhythm of her brushstrokes. The dim glow from the studio¡¯s overhead lights bathed the room in a warm hue, reflecting off the array of paintings lining the walls. Each piece held its own intensity, but the one she worked on now¡ªbold strokes of crimson slashing across a muted backdrop¡ªfelt different. A knock at the open door made her pause. Ava stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes scanning the studio with quiet appreciation, before settling on Alexia. ¡°Impressive.¡± Alexia set down her brush, wiping her hands on a rag. ¡°That¡¯s one word for it.¡± Ava stepped inside, moving with ease through the space. ¡°I wanted to thank you.¡± ¡°For what?¡± ¡°For remembering. For putting that piece together.¡± Ava¡¯s gaze turned to the half-finished painting. ¡°That name¡ªMarla Richards. It¡¯s our first real thread in a tangled mess. It means something.¡± Alexia let out a breath, leaning against the table. ¡°I don¡¯t know her well. She was just another neighbor, another face in passing.¡± She hesitated, then added, ¡°But I did notice something about her.¡± Ava nodded, urging her to continue. ¡°She spent a lot of time talking to Kelton Rioz, the landlord. Not in the usual ¡®tenant complaining to management¡¯ way. More¡­ private. Hushed conversations in the hall, just out of earshot.¡± Ava processed this, her fingers tapping lightly against the table. ¡°And you think he¡¯s connected?¡± Alexia exhaled. ¡°I didn¡¯t think anything of it at the time. But now?¡± She met Ava¡¯s gaze. ¡°I think I¡¯d be stupid not to.¡± Ava¡¯s expression was unreadable, but something¡ªsatisfaction, maybe¡ªcrossed her face. ¡°That¡¯s exactly the kind of detail I needed.¡± Alexia smirked slightly. ¡°So, I¡¯m officially useful now?¡± Ava¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°You¡¯ve been useful. Now you¡¯re just more involved than you probably wanted to be.¡± Alexia shrugged, but there was no denying the weight of it. ¡°Story of my life.¡± Ava leaned against the table beside her, gaze fixed on the painting. ¡°Your work¡ªwhat does this one mean?¡± Alexia hesitated before speaking. ¡°Frustration. Chaos. Not knowing what¡¯s coming next.¡± She gestured vaguely. ¡°It¡¯s unfinished.¡± Ava glanced at her. ¡°Like this situation.¡± Alexia met her eyes, a knowing look passing between them. ¡°Exactly.¡± Ava straightened, a thoughtful expression settling over her. ¡°I¡¯ll be looking into Marla and Kelton first thing in the morning. If they¡¯re tied to something bigger, we¡¯ll know soon enough.¡± Alexia nodded, but something still nagged at her. ¡°And if they disappear?¡± Ava¡¯s gaze darkened slightly. ¡°Then we find out who erased them.¡± A moment of silence passed before Alexia spoke again. ¡°You think we¡¯re in deeper than we realize, don¡¯t you?¡± Ava didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, she looked at the painting again. Then, finally¡­ ¡°I think we¡¯ve only scratched the surface.¡± Alexia swallowed, the weight of those words settled in. Ava turned toward the door. ¡°Get some rest. Tomorrow¡¯s going to be a long day.¡± Alexia watched her go, then turned back to the canvas. She picked up her brush, and with slow, deliberate strokes, continued painting. Ben, Harris, Steven, and Jacob stood outside the rundown apartment building, scanning the dimly lit entrance. The building smelled of dust, stale air, and faint traces of cigarette smoke¡ªlike a place that held secrets in its walls. The new landlord, Roger Stamp, a wiry man with thinning hair and a nervous tick in his left eye, stood with his arms crossed. His expression was carefully neutral, but Ben caught the way his fingers twitched slightly against his sleeve. ¡°They moved out three days ago,¡± Roger said. His voice was casual, too casual. Too convenient. ¡°Did they leave a forwarding address?¡± Harris asked, pulling out a small notepad. Roger gave a slow shake of his head. ¡°Nope. Cleaned out the place. Didn¡¯t say where they were going.¡± Ben exchanged a glance with Steven. This wasn¡¯t adding up. People like Marla and Kelton don¡¯t just disappear unless¡­ Jacob stepped closer, his tone edged with suspicion. ¡°You¡¯re sure you didn¡¯t see anyone unusual hanging around before they left? No one meeting them?¡± Roger scratched his chin, glancing toward the stairwell as if debating how much to say. ¡°Look¡­ I mind my business. But a couple nights before they took off, I saw a black SUV parked outside. Tinted windows. Sat there for hours, engine running. No one got out. Next morning? Marla and Kelton were gone.¡± Ben¡¯s fingers tightened into a fist. They didn¡¯t just leave¡­ they were extracted. ¡°Anyone else know them?¡± Steven pressed. ¡°Neighbors?¡± Roger snorted. ¡°Most people keep to themselves here. But if you¡¯re looking for more dirt, you won¡¯t find it in my building. I bought this place legit. Whatever trouble they were in? Ain¡¯t my problem.¡± Ben exhaled sharply, weighing their next move. This wasn¡¯t just a dead end¡ªit was a message. Someone was one step ahead. One hour later, at the estate, Ava sat at her desk, multiple screens glowing as she ran search after search. ¡°No leases. No tax records. No traffic cams. Marla Richards and Kelton Rioz might as well have never existed.¡± She clicked through yet another database, frustration tightening her shoulders. ¡°They didn¡¯t vanish,¡± she hissed. ¡°They¡¯re somewhere. We just don¡¯t know where¡ªyet.¡± Ben exhaled, nodding. ¡°Then we find them.¡± And this time, they wouldn¡¯t just be chasing shadows. The evening air carried a faint chill, filtering through the open windows of the studio. The scent of fresh paint mixed with the subtle warmth of dim lighting, casting long shadows across the walls. Alexia stood in front of her easel, her gaze fixed on the last strokes of her seventh and last piece. The collection was complete. She exhaled slowly, stepping back to take it all in. Six paintings with the first one already at the gallery waiting on these six to complete the set. Seven truths. Each one was an unfiltered reflection of her journey so far. A quiet knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned just as Elliot stepped inside. He didn¡¯t speak right away, his eyes scanning the paintings before finally settling on her. ¡°I knew you¡¯d finish it tonight,¡± he said, his voice low. Alexia smirked. ¡°That predictable, huh?¡± Elliot stepped closer, hands in his pockets. ¡°Not predictable. Just inevitable.¡± She turned back to the painting, her arms crossing. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± He moved beside her, taking in the entire series¡ªthe raw emotion in each stroke, the unspoken stories embedded in the colors. ¡°They deserve a showing.¡± She scoffed. ¡°You¡¯ve already arranged it.¡± Elliot didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°Because they deserve to be seen.¡± Alexia¡¯s fingers curled slightly against her arm. ¡°This wasn¡¯t supposed to be for the world. It was for me.¡± Elliot studied her, reading beyond the words. ¡°That¡¯s why it matters.¡± Silence settled between them, thick with something unspoken. Elliot reached out, his fingers grazing the edge of the canvas. ¡°This one¡ªwhat does it mean?¡± Alexia hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s the moment before something breaks. The edge of knowing.¡± ¡°And do you know now?¡± She exhaled. ¡°Not yet.¡± A pause. Then he stepped in closer, his presence brushing against hers. ¡°You will.¡± Alexia¡¯s pulse quickened, but she didn¡¯t step away. His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment, the air shifted¡ªcharged, waiting. Then, before she could process it, his mouth was on hers. A slow, deliberate kiss that stole the breath from her lungs. It wasn¡¯t rushed or demanding¡ªjust steady, like he was waiting for her to catch up. Alexia froze for half a second, then pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. ¡°Elliot¡­¡± He smirked. ¡°Not in the mood?¡± She swallowed, the war between hesitation and desire flashing across her face. ¡°No.¡± His smirk deepened. ¡°Really?¡± And then he kissed her again. This time, she didn¡¯t pull away. The brush in her hand slipped to the floor, forgotten. The air between them thickened, charged with something undeniable. Alexia could still feel the weight of Elliot¡¯s kiss, the warmth lingering against her lips even as she took a step back. Elliot watched her, his sharp gaze locked onto hers, reading everything she wasn¡¯t saying. He had always been able to do that¡ªsee beyond the walls she put up. Alexia pressed her fingers to her temple, grounding herself. ¡°This¡­ isn¡¯t what I need right now.¡± Elliot¡¯s lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk appearing, but there was something different in his eyes. Something deeper. ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± She exhaled sharply. ¡°Elliot¡ª¡± He stepped forward, closing the distance again, but slower this time. Measured. Controlled. His voice dipped quieter but no less intense. ¡°Tell me to stop.¡± Alexia¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She should say it. Push him away. But the words never came. Instead, Elliot¡¯s fingers brushed against her wrist, the smallest touch, but it sent a shiver racing up her spine. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking,¡± he murmured. ¡°I always think,¡± she countered. Elliot¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smirk. ¡°And I always win.¡± Her pulse jumped, frustration in her eyes. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game.¡± ¡°I never said it was.¡± His fingers trailed up her arm, slow, deliberate. Alexia sucked in a breath. He wasn¡¯t pushing¡ªjust waiting. Giving her the chance to pull away. She didn¡¯t. ¡°Damn it, Elliot.¡± Elliot looked at her until their eyes met. ¡°Still not in the mood?¡± Alexia¡¯s resolve wavered, her body betraying her even as her mind screamed at her to keep control. ¡°I hate you,¡± she whispered, though there was no venom in her voice. Elliot¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°I know.¡± And then, with the slightest tilt of his head, he kissed her again. This time, she didn¡¯t fight his warmth and hunger for her. Her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer. The tension that had been simmering finally boiled over, and Alexia let herself stop thinking. ¡°Hmm, I¡­¡± Elliot stopped her words by putting his fingers on her lips then picked her up and carried her to his bed at the other end of the mansion. She didn¡¯t resist. For just this moment. The world outside could wait. The truth is¡­ right now¡­ this was the only thing that¡­