MasukCLAYâS POVThe elevator doors slid open with a soft whoosh, and I stepped into the foyer of my penthouse.The walk from my car to the elevator had left the wound under my feet throbbing, making me limp a bit.âFinally,â I sighed as the dim lighting enveloped me, a warm contrast to the bright LA sunset I'd left behind.I crossed the living room and tossed the manila file onto the marble console table.Next, I gently placed my keys beside it and shrugged off my jacket.The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers, my housekeeper must've restocked the vases again.The city's sounds faded into the background, replaced by the gentle hum of the air conditioning and the soft gill of water trickling from the wall fountain.âAggie?â I called, tossing my jacket at the couch.There was no answer. I paused mid-movement and listened. That was when I heard the soft croon of music coming from the direction of the kitchen.I was bone-tired. The kind of tired that sat behind my eyes and weighted
ANYTA'S POVThe old lady's hardened as she folded her hands on the table. âI said Siennaâs planning something stinky. I just haven't found out what yet.âMy stomach tightened. I tightened my fingers around the fork and swallowed again as I felt my brows knit together. âWhy do you think that?âShe waved a dismissive hand, as though this were obvious. âSheâs been acting⊠strange.âI took a bite then, chewing as Grandma Jo began to explain, her voice calm but edged with caution.âWent into the kitchen earlier this week to talk to the new cook. Sienna was there. Acted all sweet and way too eager to please.â She shook her head, a disapproving look on her face.âCan you believe she said she wants to learn how to cook?âI paused mid-chew. âThatâs it?âGrandma Joâs lips pressed together. âThatâs how it starts. She's trying toâŠhumanise herself.âA snort burst out of me before I could stop it. âGrandmaâŠSienna is human.ââYou don't understand.âI swallowed and let out another small laugh, unable
ANYTAâS POVThe glow of the computer screen cast muted blue light over my fingers as I scrolled through listings.Auctions, blogs, social media posts which I was beginning to think were engagement baits, archivesâŠmore auctions.I pressed my fingers to my forehead as I narrowed my tired eyes a bit, briefly wondering whether to get anti-blue light glasses.I was scrolling through and checking out anything that might hold a more detailed information than some random articles with vague descriptions.Right now I was on Reddit. And besides a few jumpscare posts about Everett and our club incident from months ago, it was mostly a peaceful surf.The scent of garlic and cream hit me just before a plate slid gently onto the table in front of me.Pasta Alfredo.I looked up just in time to see Grandma Joâs hands resting briefly on my shoulders, squeezing affection into my bones the way only she could.âWhat are you doing?â she asked, peering down at the screen with curiosity that was more fond t
CLAYâS POVI pressed a finger to the almost invisible earpiece tucked against the shell of my ear and grumbled, âPhil, for the third time, send me the combination for the lock. Right now.âThere was a pause on the line, followed by an unmistakable crunchy, chewing sound.âYou need to relax,â Phil said stuffily around what sounded like chips. âIâm literally about to send it.âI clenched my jaw. âIf you donât stop eating in my ear, I swear Iâll whoop your ass the second Iâm out of this.âHe laughed, completely unbothered. âYou say that every time. And you never do.ââThatâs because I keep forgiving your nonsense. Stop stuffing your face and do your job!.ââIâm literally just having my first snack of the day,â he said cheerfully. âCheck your phone.âI shifted my weight, back pressed to the concrete wall of the corridor.My senses were alert despite the casual tone of the conversation.This wasnât a place for mistakes. The hum of a generator was low and constant, the air cooler than it sh
SIENNAâS POVâFuck,â I swore under my breath as I stumbled on my feet. Grabbing the balustrade, I steadied myself then sighed.The aroma of food was heavier downstairs, and I followed it.The new cook stood at the island, her back to me.Shifting, I folded my arms over my chests, and propped one bare feet up by the heel as I watched her.Her shoulders broad and relaxed as she worked. The kitchen smelled even richer and warmer. I was almost sure it was onions caramelizing slowly in the pan on top of the cooker.I don't know what gave my presence away but the cook suddenly paused and turned her head. Our eyes locked and I smiled.âHello ma'am,â she beamed, then turned back to washing and cutting up a vegetable I couldn't name.I watched her for a moment before speaking.âWhatâs your name?âShe glanced over her shoulder again , then turned fully, wiping her hands on a cloth.She was older than me by at least a decade, her hair pulled back into a neat knot behind her head. And her eyes we
EVERETTâS POVLiaâs hand was tucked neatly into the crook of my arm as I walked us through the agency's main entrance.Her fingers curled just tight enough to signal nerves, but not enough to slow me down.The lobby smelled like a mix of expensive perfume and floral air freshener. And the glasses looked spotlessly clean.My eyes found Anyta instantly.She sat at the front desk, her spine straight. Her expression had already started to harden the moment she saw me.God, she still did that thing when she was botheredâŠchin lifting a fraction and her eyes sharpening like blades.I bit the inside of my cheeks to hide a smile.Anyta's glare couldâve cut glass, so I blew her a kiss just to be an asshole.Her lips pressed into a thin line before she lowered her gaze to her computer.Satisfaction unfurled in my chest.Good. As long as she still gave me a reaction, whether good or bad, then she was still mine in some way.Lia squeezed my arm. âIs that her?ââYes,â I said lightly. âMy ex-wife.â







