CHAPTER 156 – THE LISTENING SHADOWWhen I finally turned, I saw Xves standing there.Relief slammed into me like a wave. My whole body sagged before my mind could even catch up. My heart had been running a marathon since the moment I heard that voice, and now it was trying to slow down—but it couldn’t. I pressed a hand over my chest, half laughing, half choking on the panic that hadn’t yet left me.“Xves,” I whispered, breathless. “Jesus—you scared me.”He stood there in the faint moonlight, looking completely out of place among the trimmed hedges and marble fountains. Black suit, loose tie, hair a little messy like he’d run his hand through it one too many times. And of course, that smirk. The one that always looked like he’d just caught me doing something stupid—which, to be fair, I probably was.“Don’t make a sound,” I said, putting a finger to my lips.He tilted his head. “Seriously?” he mouthed, eyebrows raised. “You followed them out here barefoot?”I rolled my eyes, mouthing ba
Last Updated : 2025-10-26 Read more