She glanced at the time. She needed to meet Teo.
“If you’d excuse me,” Adria said, saying her goodbyes.
Moving further into the room, she was stopped by Alessandro and Helen Cambell. Helen was the leader of the Red Scorpions and the third member of the Triune.
Adria gave the pair a low courtesy. “Miss Cambell, I’m honored you came. I apologize to you, and Master Grasso, for the poor showing this evening.”
Helen, put a soft hand on her arm and squeezed. “Dear, it’s still early. We understand these things take time, don’t we, Alessandro?”
Adria watched as bemusement and perhaps annoyance flashed across Alessandro’s face, before he responded. “Of course, Adria, we know you are doing your best,” he said, smiling, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Adria’s stomach clenched as she considered the consequences for displeasing Alessandro. She only hoped that the good will he had shown her in the past would hold.
She spoke with them for a little longer, not wanting to seem in a hurry.
Which she was.
When she finally was able to take her leave without drawing suspicion, she got as far as the kitchen before a voice stopped her.
“Leaving already. When things are going so well.” Jonathan’s smooth voice twisted her insides.
Her nails bit into her palms, fists clenching at her sides, but when she turned, her expression was smooth. Unbothered. “You were the one who insisted I hold this.”
Her voice was even, though her pulse hammered beneath the surface. “I told you it was too early.”
Jonathan stepped closer.
Every nerve in her body screamed to step back, to move, to put distance between them, but she held her ground.
When approached by a predator, never show fear. They fed on it. Thrived on it.
“It wasn’t my doing, love.” His tone was mocking.
His body angling toward hers like a shadow stretching in the dark.
“It was the Triune’s.” He smiled. “And I thought you were the best.”
She straightened, refusing to let him see the way his presence coiled around her like a noose.
“I am the best.” Her voice was steady. “But as you’re well aware?—”
She lifted her chin.
“This is a unique situation.”
Jonathan reached up, a single, thin finger tracing along her jaw. Her heart pounded against her ribs, his touch skating over her skin like a knife drawn too close.
“They’re just boys, Dri.”
Soft. Persuasive.
“Children, really.”
His finger dragged down to her chin.
“A mind like yours should have no issue manipulating them.”
His grip tightened, forcing her gaze up to meet his. His eyes were cold. Menacing.
