Page 14 of Silent Oaths
Eventually, we stopped hesitating.
Onenight,Julianclosed the distance.Hislips ghosted over mine, uncertain, like he was giving me a chance to pull away, butIdidn’t.
Thatnight, we crossed the line we’d spent a while toeing.Therewas no grand declaration, just hands gripping, mouths colliding.
Maybewe were always meant to unravel together.Maybewe were always meant to be more than just brothers in name.
Asharp nudge to my shoulder pulls me out of my thoughts.Theostands beside me. “Yougood,Madcap?”
Itake a long sip of my drink before answering. “Peachy.Justsavoring the delightful company.”
Theodoesn’t smile, but the corner of his mouth twitches. “Weneed to be ready.”
Iscan the room, spottingIsabelnear the far side withValeria.She’strying to look comfortable, but her eyes give her away.She’snervous.Good.Nervouspeople make mistakes.
Fora brief second, she glances toward us, but the moment our gazes meet, she quickly looks away, feigning interest in her drink.Sheknows we’re watching.
“What’sthe game plan?”Iask under my breath, leaning slightly toward him.
Hisvoice drops even lower, barely audible over the noise. “Weplay along until midnight.Lionelloves his theatrics, so let him have his show.Whenthe clock strikes twelve, we go forIsabel.”
Inod, a grin tugging at my lips.Midnight.Ithas a certain flair to it, doesn’t it?
Julianjoins us then, his expression unreadable as always.
TurningtoTheoagain,Iquip, “Andwhat happens ifLionel’s“fun” gets in the way?”
Hisjaw tightens. “Wewon’t let it.”
“Stoptalking.Focus,”Juliansays, irritated.
Ishrug, tossing my empty glass onto a passing waiter’s tray. “Relax, hermano.I’malways focused.”
Theodoesn’t dignify the comment with a response, andIstifle a laugh, turning toJulianinstead. “Readyto play?”
Henods once, curt and businesslike, andIcan’t help but roll my eyes.Alwaysso serious, myJuju.
Withthat, we fall into step, walking deeper into the mansion.
7
ISABEL
Valeriagrips my hand tightly, her palm warm and slightly damp with sweat.IknowIshould focus on her and the plan we’ve crafted, but my thoughts keep circling back to the three brothers.Theirstares still burn my skin, their gazes crawling over me like a touchIcan’t escape.
Icaught them watching me, and not just a passing glance.Itwas intense.Hungry.
Apart of me is scared, but there’s another small, twisted part that feels something else.Athrill, maybe.Ishake the thought away, focusing instead onValeria’spresence next to me.
Whenwe were standing in the grand hall, listening toLionel’sspeech, as if he were some benevolent king addressing his subjects,Iknew exactly who he was.ValeriaandIhave spent countless hours digging into his life, piecing together the puzzle of his family and their twisted legacy.Everyshred of evidence we unearthed pointed to him as the puppet master of something far more sinister than anyone could imagine.Wejust need to figure out what it is exactly.
“Lookslike we’re in for a real treat,”Iwhisper toValeria, my nerves humming like a live wire.
ThegameLionelannounced might sound harmless, but everything about this house, this family—this night—feels wrong.
Mr.Whitmoreraises his glass with a smug grin. “Toa night of thrills and surprises.Maythe best hiders win.”
Laughterripples through the crowd, butIfeel the tension in the room.Iexchange a look withValeria, her wide eyes mirroring my own unease.
