The private elevator doors of the penthouse opened with a soft chime, releasing me into the silent, luxurious entry foyer. Marcus, my silent sentinel, had stayed downstairs, following Alexander’s strict orders. I felt the relief of physical safety, but my hands were still trembling, stained with the corrosive memory of Julien's smile.

I took a shaky breath, trying to scrub the terror from my face. I had sent the urgent text to Alexander minutes before: “The cost of the ‘payoff’ was ...