Page 2 of Silent Oaths
Moreguests arrive, andIimmediately notice the imbalance—far more women than men.Knowingwhat happens in some of these rooms,Ican already sense the predatory gleam in my father’s associates’ eyes.
Theyalways present themselves as proper businessmen, butIknow the truth.They’repredators—the worst kind.Theymake their own rules, ignoring any semblance of societal norms.Withunlimited funds and the whole town ofEbonridgein their pockets, it’s no wonder they get away with murder.
Literally.
It’snot thatIdon’t consider myself a predator, butIdon’t feast on innocent women the way they do.
Ican’t deny the darkness within me, even if it’s not the same twisted hunger as my father.
AsIglance around the room, adjusting the cuffs of my fitted, three-piece suit and feeling the reassuring weight of the blade in its holster at my waist,IknowI’veembraced the macabre.Thisworld of darkness and bloodshed has become my own, each kill pushing me further into the shadowsIonce thoughtIcould avoid.Perhapsone day,I’llsuffer the same fate as thoseIhunt.
Itake a slow sip of myMacallan, the smoky warmth sliding down my throat, and thenIswivel in the chair, facing the long hallway to the door, andIrelease a slow exhale.
It’stime to play my part.
BeforeIget up to leave,Iglance at the monitors one last time.Onone of the screens showing the living room,Icatch sight of a womanI’venever seen at our estate.Ablonde bombshell—the stereotypicalBarbietype.
Somethingabout her seems off.She’snot relaxed; there’s tension in her posture, a nervous glance as she scans the area, like she’s looking for something—or someone.Shelooks uncomfortable, as if she doesn’t want to be here, but something keeps her rooted to the spot, like she’s on a mission she can’t back out of.She’salone, butIdoubt she came by herself.
Ilean closer, studying the woman, trying to decipher her intentions when, suddenly, someone else steps into the frame.
Theytake my breath away.
Brunette, long, wavy hair, bronze skin, and a chest that’s impossible to ignore.Sheradiates mischief, andIcan feel my cock twitch as she smiles from ear to ear while talking to her friend.Forthe occasion, she’s dressed as a mermaid, andIcan’t take my eyes off her.
Asiren—captivating, irresistible, with an enchanting presence that seeps through the screen.
Isuddenly need to know everything about her.
Theway she looks is more than enough to make my pulse quicken.
I’vespent enough years observing people around me to know when someone is hiding something, and this woman definitely is.
Shemight be exactly whatI’vebeen searching for.
AsIstep out of the basement,Ileave the door cracked.Ifthat blonde is looking for answers,I’llmake sure she finds something she’ll never forget.
2
THEODORE
Whenmy brothers return to the estate later that night, having both missed the party,Ishow them the brunette who caught my attention.
“Ihad a background check done.Hername isIsabelLuciaSoto.”
“Shewent upstairs withMontclair?”Julian’stone is sharp, his dark brows furrowing as he leans in closer.
“Shedid,”Iconfirm, tapping the screen to play the clip.IsabelfollowsMontclairinto one of the private rooms, her movements hesitant but curious.Theway she scanned the room during the party, the way her gaze lingered on the staircase before she followed him—it wasn’t fear.Itwas intrigue.
“Shelooks sort of familiar,”Julianmurmurs, more to himself than to us.Hegrabs his phone, his fingers moving with ease as he types something.
Maxwellstudies the screen, his jaw tightening. “Montclair’sa reckless fool.Bringingsomeone like her to the east wing during a party?He’slucky she didn’t see something she shouldn’t.”
“Shedidn’t,”Iassure him. “Sheleft before anything happened.”
Julianraises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
Ipress play on the footage again. “Watch.”
