[Elena's POV]

The silent car ride back to the estate was pure torture. Noah didn't say a single word. He just gripped my left thigh so hard his fingers left bruises on my skin.

He dragged me through the front doors of the quiet villa. We bypassed the grand staircase.

We bypassed his bedroom. He pulled me straight down the dark, carpeted hallway toward the unmarked door at the very end.

The secret room.

He kicked the heavy door open and shoved me inside.

The smell of rich leather and dark cedar ...