The door slammed shut behind Nyla, leaving the room completely silent.

Val didn’t move at first. His sharp blue eyes stayed locked on Issa.

She was still standing in the steaming basin, naked and shaking, the bright red mark from Nyla’s slap clear on her cheek.

But Val’s anger wasn’t about her—not really. It was about control. No one had the right to touch what belonged to him.

“Out,” he said again, his voice lower but still firm enough to exude authority.

Issa flinched at ...