The penthouse was eerily quiet once the others left.

They all chose to leave, granting the two a measure of solitude. Lucius departed, Noah returned to his apartment, and Zoe accompanied Melinda back to her home. Diana, too, took her leave.

Doors clicked shut, footsteps faded down the hall, and Chloe was suddenly hyperaware of every sound, her own breathing, the thrum of her heartbeat, and the weight of Valerius's presence in the room.

He stood across from her, shoulders squared, eyes like ...