"Eva, darling," she says, her smile not reaching her eyes. "What a charming party. So… domestic."
The word feels like an insult, though I can't quite identify why. I thank her with practiced politeness and excuse myself to check on the catering.
David Brennan arrives fashionably late, wearing his regular three-piece suit with a briefcase. When I raise an eyebrow at his lack of costume, he adjusts his titanium-framed glasses with a slight smile. "I'm a lawyer. Scariest thing I could think of."
Despite everything, I laugh. The sound surprises me, genuine and unforced.
The party proceeds with forced normalcy. Music plays from hidden speakers, a playlist of Halloween classics mixed with current hits. People eat and drink, their conversations filling the space with the hum of social interaction. Alexei is in his element, sampling American Halloween candy and listening with rapt attention as Megan tells stories about college life, her animated gestures making him laugh.
But I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong. Roman remains hypervigilant, his blue eyes constantly scanning the room, his body coiled with tension beneath the vampire cape. His men are positioned throughout the house, their presence a constant reminder that this isn't a normal party, that danger lurks beneath the festive decorations.
I catch Roman watching me from across the room, his gaze dropping to my breasts, then lower, to where my dress hugs my hips. Even from this distance, I feel the heat of his attention, the way his eyes darken with desire. My body responds instinctively, my thighs clenching, my nipples tightening beneath the fabric. I force myself to look away, to focus on being a good hostess, but I'm acutely aware of him tracking my movements.
Megan finds me in the kitchen, her cheerleader costume somehow making her look younger, more vulnerable. Her voice drops to a worried whisper. "Eva, have you seen Tyler? He hasn't answered texts or calls in almost a week. His thesis advisor says he missed important meetings. It's not like him."
My stomach drops to my feet. Tyler. I open my mouth to respond, but before I can form words, Alexei bursts into the kitchen.
His face is white, his blue eyes wide with shock and fury. "Eva, there's a man locked in a room downstairs! In the basement!He says his name is Tyler Chen and that Roman is holding him prisoner!"
The kitchen tilts sideways. Megan's hand flies to her mouth, her brown eyes filling with tears. "What? No. Eva, what is he talking about?"
I can't breathe. Can't think. My brother's expression shifts from shock to understanding, and he gently guides a protesting Megan from the kitchen. I find Roman in his study, Lev at his side, both men's expressions hardening when they see my face.
"Tyler," I say, my voice shaking with fury and fear. "You're holding Tyler prisoner in the basement."
Roman's blue eyes meet mine without flinching. "Yes."
The single word, delivered with such cold finality, ignites something in my chest. "Release him. Right now. Release him, or I'm taking Alexei, Megan, and Tyler, and we're leaving."
"You're not leaving." Roman's voice is low, controlled, but I hear the steel beneath it. "None of you are."
I move toward the door, my heart pounding. "Watch me."
Lev steps in front of the doorway, his hand resting on the weapon concealed beneath his Phantom costume. His dark eyes are flat, professional, and I realize with sickening clarity that he'll stop me. Not with violence, not while I'm carrying Roman's heir, but he'll stop me, nonetheless.
"Eva." Roman's voice cuts through my panic. "Sit down. Let me explain."
"Explain?" My voice rises, hysteria creeping in at the edges. "You're holding my best friend's brother prisoner! What possible explanation?—"
"He was hacking into my systems." Roman's tone is matter-of-fact, like he's discussing a business transaction. "Building a case against me. Gathering evidence to take to the authorities. I couldn't let him go."
The room spins. "So you just… what? Kidnapped him? Locked him in your basement like some kind of?—"
"Like the criminal I am?" Roman finishes, his blue eyes boring into mine. "Yes, Eva. Exactly like that."
Megan appears in the doorway, Alexei behind her, both their faces pale with understanding. "Eva, what's happening? Where's Tyler?"
I look at Roman, at Lev blocking the exit, at the security guards I can see positioning themselves in the hallway beyond. The truth crashes over me with devastating clarity.
I'm not a guest in this house. I'm a prisoner.
Roman nods once, a subtle gesture that carries the weight of command. His security team moves with practiced efficiency, and I watch in horror as armed guards approach Megan and Alexei.
"No!" I lunge forward, but Lev catches my arm, his grip firm but not painful. "Roman, please, they haven't done anything?—"
"They know too much now." Roman's voice is cold, final. "They'll be comfortable. Guest rooms on the second floor. But they're not leaving until I decide it's safe."
Megan starts protesting as a guard takes her elbow, guiding her toward the stairs. Alexei's face twists with betrayal as he looks at me, his voice cracking. "Eva, what have you gotten us into?"
