LEO ANNISON
The car door slammed shut behind us, sealing us in silence. The only sound was Oliver's ragged breathing beside me, his fingers still tangled with mine like he was afraid I'd vanish if he let go.
I wasn't sure which one of us was holding on tighter.
Charles slid into the driver's seat without a word, the engine roaring to life. The Belmont mansion burned in the rearview mirror, flames licking at the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the scattering crowd. Sirens wailed in the distance, but we'd be long gone before they arrived.
I exhaled slowly, forcing my grip on Oliver's hand to loosen. It was a mistake—touching him, letting him in, wanting him here. I'd known that from the moment I saw him across the ballroom, that infuriating smirk on his lips like he already knew every secret I'd ever tried to keep.
And now, because of me, someone had tried to kill him.
