It was 9 p.m. when Samuel arrived at the Ridgewood Reserve villa.

The house where Eli was staying was dark, the lights off. But the one next door, where Sophia lived, was brightly lit.

Assuming Eli was over at Sophia’s place, he headed straight to her door and rang the bell.

Alexander answered.

When he saw who it was, he didn't move aside. Instead, he stood in the doorway looking smug, “What do you want?”

Samuel looked a ...