The Volkov Estate was unusually quiet that evening. Erin had prepared dinner — nothing extravagant, just a well-seasoned roast with vegetables and fresh bread — but the place felt cavernous without Xander's presence. The long dining table stood set for two, the silver cutlery catching the warm glow of the chandelier. She waited for a while, idly glancing toward the tall windows, but no familiar footsteps came echoing down the hall.
She couldn't stop replaying what Xander had said earlier. He'd looked her straight in the eye when he promised he'd teach her to love him. But she clung to her explanation: Xander Volkov simply couldn't handle rejection. That was all. That was all this was. A man too used to winning, now determined not to lose.
So, she told herself, this was just another move in his game — and she'd play along if it kept him distracted.
The clock ticked.
Minutes passed. Then half an hour. No footsteps, no sign of him.
Instead of irritation, Erin felt a flicker of opportunity.
She carried the plates back to the kitchen, her mind already on the one thing she hadn't been able to stop thinking about since this afternoon.
It was a blessing in disguise. His absence gave her the freedom she'd been itching for since this afternoon. The image of Cassian, startled and fumbling to hide those documents in his office, kept replaying in her head. Something about the way he moved — too fast, too deliberate — told her those papers weren't ordinary.
She had come here with one purpose — to collect anything that could expose the Volkov family's real dealings: the bribes, the extortion, the clever way they pinned their crimes on other families while walking away clean. Her own family had been one of their casualties. So she was here to uncover the Volkov family's secrets, expose the web of manipulation they'd woven, and prove her own family's innocence. If those documents were what she suspected, they could be the key to everything.
She retreated to her room, pretending to wind down for the night. In truth, she was planning her route out of the estate. Slipping out unnoticed wouldn't be easy — the Volkov Estate had layers of security, and Xander's men weren't the type to look the other way. Still, she'd learned to move quietly.
Erin reached the side corridor that led toward one of the smaller gates. The night air was cool, the scent of pine drifting in from the surrounding forest. She had almost reached the outer path when a voice cut through the quiet.
"Going somewhere?"
She froze, her heart jerking against her ribs. Xander was leaning casually against the archway, hands in his pockets, eyes narrowed with that unnerving mix of curiosity and suspicion. He didn't look angry — not yet — but there was a sharpness in his gaze that made it clear he already knew she was lying.
"I was just… heading out for some air," Erin replied, her voice light, too light.
His brows arched. "Air? We have balconies, gardens, an entire terrace. You chose the one route that leads directly to the gates."
She forced a small laugh, as if amused by his skepticism. "I needed a change of scenery. The gardens are lovely, but they don't exactly help me clear my head. I thought I'd take a short walk down the road — nothing dramatic."
Xander stepped closer, his height casting a shadow over her. "It's late, Erin. And the road isn't safe for… aimless walks. At least not without telling someone where you're going."
"Then consider this me telling you now," she said with a shrug, meeting his gaze. "I didn't think it was worth bothering you about. You've been busy."
For a moment, neither spoke. The tension between them was palpable — a quiet battle of wills. Erin's lie wasn't perfect, but it was smooth enough to pass if he wanted to believe it.
Finally, Xander gave a short, almost reluctant nod. "Fine. But take one of the drivers. And Erin?"
"Yes?"
"Next time you feel like disappearing, at least have the decency to let me know."
She managed a faint smile, though inside her mind was still racing. She'd have to be smarter next time — and faster.