The knock is too soft. It’s almost polite. Probably a staff member, most likely female.
My suspicions are proven correct as I cross the room, pull the door open, and see Marta, one of the maids, staring at me.
Her gaze flicks over my face, searching, then she offers a slight nod toward the hallway.
“You’re needed downstairs.” Her fingers twist the edge of her apron.
My throat tightens. “Needed by who?” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who is beckoning me, but I still ask.
Marta’s lips transform into a straight line, and her eyes dart left toward the staircase.
“By . . . him,” she breathes, and her words hang heavy in the air.
“I’ll be right down. I need to freshen up.”
She bows her head in understanding before stepping back.
With that done, I head into the bathroom and go about making myself presentable. Using the toilet and then brushing my teeth. After I’m decent, I step out into the hallway and head to where he is.
For some reason, the staircase feels longer today, and don’t even get me started on the stairs.
Time seems to stand still as I move, and my heart beats so fast, I fear it might explode.
Once downstairs, the foyer is dim, and it takes a second for my eyes to adjust, but then I see him.
Lorenzo stands by the front doors. Ominous as always, but he’s not alone. His dumb friend Rafe is with him.
Rafe stands with his shoulder against the wall, eyes tracking everything with a bored look. Typical.
On the other side of the foyer is Nico. He’s probably the only guard who’s done anything remotely nice for me. So at least his presence doesn’t piss me off even more.
Lorenzo’s gaze snaps to mine the second I step off the last stair. It’s like his body is wired to my existence.
His eyes drag down my body, starting at my feet, then up my sweatpants, until they lift back to my face.
“You look comfy.” He adjusts his cuff, like we’re discussing the weather.
I stop at the edge of the foyer, letting my spine go straight. “I look like I just woke up, which I did.”
Rafe’s mouth twitches. He wants to smile so badly, but probably doesn’t because his friend might kill him. Nico’s expression stays neutral, but his gaze flicks to Lorenzo.
Lorenzo takes a step closer, and the space between us shrinks in a way that makes my pulse climb my throat.
“You’re adorable,” he deadpans.
“Call me adorable again,” I snap, folding my arms tight over my chest, “and I’ll bite you.”
Lorenzo’s mouth curves, slow and sharp. “Promises before breakfast. I’m blessed.”
I force myself to breathe. “Why are all the guards here? Planning on killing someone?”
Lorenzo glances toward Nico without turning his head fully. “Because I’m taking you somewhere.”
I freeze so hard my ribs ache.
Somewhere.
“Like outside?”
