Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
I finish the shower quickly, towel off, and pull on soft black leggings and an oversized tee. My hair goes up in a damp knot. Professional enough. Controlled enough.
I sit on the edge of the bed and pick up the encrypted phone Serafina’s people gave me. Time to check in.
The line connects after two rings. One of her lieutenants, a cold-voiced man named Victor, answers. “Report.”
“Everything is stable,” I say, keeping my tone even. “Poe’s compliant for now. The new safehouse is secure. No issues with the equipment.”
Victor makes a small sound. “Good. Stay put. Serafina wants him focused on the hack within the next forty-eight hours. No outside contact. No slip-ups.”
I hesitate, then decide he needs to know. “There was a complication today. The neighbors invited us to a pool party. We couldn’t refuse without raising suspicion. We played along. Acted like a married couple.”
Victor is quiet for a beat. Then Serafina’s voice cuts in, smooth and sharp as a blade. She must have been listening the whole time. “Orchid. You did well to blend in. Play the part as needed. Keep the neighbors happy. Keep Poe visible but harmless. Just make sure he doesn’t get any bright ideas about using them for escape.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I answer automatically. My stomach twists at the easy way she says it, like this is all part of her grand design.
“Keep me updated,” she says, and the line clicks dead.
I stare at the phone for a second, then dial another number. A different one. One I keep buried deep in my contacts under a fake name. It rings twice before a woman’s voice answers, low and smoky, laced with that familiar edge of caution.
“Orchid?”
“It’s me,” I say quietly, glancing toward the door even though I know it is locked. “Situation is… developing.”
Marlo lets out a soft breath, like she’s been waiting for this call. “Tell me everything. How’s our boy holding up?”
I lean back against the headboard, keeping my voice low. “He’s doing what he’s told. For now. The leverage with his sister is working. She’s still being held. They haven’t hurt her beyond what was necessary to keep him in line, but the threat is constant.”
Marlo hums thoughtfully. “And you? How are you holding up with him under the same roof?”
I hesitate, the shower fantasies still too fresh in my mind. “It’s… manageable. He’s angry. Defiant. But there are moments when he looks at me like he sees more than the woman holding the leash. The neighbors think we’re newlyweds. We had to play along. It was almost convincing.”
A quiet laugh comes through the line. “Convincing is good. Keeps everyone looking the wrong way. What about the hack? Has Serafina given him the target yet?”
“Not yet. Soon. She wants results fast.” I rub my temple, suddenly tired. “I’m keeping him close. Watching every move. But if he finds an opening…”
“He won’t,” Marlo says, voice steady. “Not while his sister is still in play. And not while you’re there. You know what to do if things shift.”
“I do.” The words feel heavy. “I’ll update you when I can. Stay safe.”
“You too, Orchid. Keep your head. And remember why we’re doing this.”
The line goes dead before I can say anything else. I set the phone down and stare at the wall, heart still beating a little too fast from the shower thoughts and the secrecy of the call.
I stand up, smoothing my shirt down, and head for the door. Poe’s somewhere downstairs, probably still riding the high of playing husband in front of the neighbors. I need to keep my distance. Keep my head clear.
But as I reach for the handle, the memory of his dark eyes watching me move through yoga flashes again. The way his gaze lingered. The way my body had reacted even though I pretended it didn’t.
Years without touch. Years without wanting it.
And now this man, this dangerous, tattooed, unfairly attractive man, is living across the hall and looking at me like he wants to ruin every careful wall I’ve built.
I push the thought down hard, lock the phone away, and step out into the hallway.
Whatever’s happening between us, whatever heat is building in the quiet spaces of this safehouse, I can’t let it matter.
I have a job to do.
A sister to keep alive.
And secrets of my own that could burn everything down if I let myself slip.
Even if Poe’s hands felt dangerously right around my waist today.
Even if the thought of him in that shower with me refuses to leave my head.
I head downstairs, chin high, mask firmly back in place. I can handle this. I have to.
Because the alternative is losing control.
And in this game, losing control gets people killed.
NINE
POE
I can’t fucking sleep. The house is quiet and I lie in bed staring at the ceiling for what feels like hours, mind spinning between the relief of that stolen text to Ozzy and the way Orchid looked doing yoga earlier. Sleep is not happening. My body’s too wired, too aware of her just across the hall.