Sleep doesn't come easily that night.
Even after I return to my room, Dante's words echo in my head.
If anything happens to her… I won't forgive myself.
I lie on my back staring at the ceiling, replaying the conversation I overheard in the hallway. Part of me feels guilty for listening. The other part can't stop thinking about what it means.
Dante cares.
That realization should make me feel safer.
Instead, it makes me feel exposed.
Because in Dante's world, caring about someone is a weakness enemies can use.
And I have a bad feeling his enemies are already watching.
After what feels like hours, I finally give up on sleep.
The mansion is quiet as I slip out of my room. Most of the lights are dimmed now, leaving long shadows stretching across the marble floors.
I walk slowly down the hallway, wrapping my arms around myself.
Maybe some water will help clear my head.
Or maybe I just don't want to be alone with my thoughts.
As I reach the main staircase, I hear voices.
Low.
Urgent.
I freeze.
They're coming from the study downstairs.
Dante's study.
The door is slightly open again, just like earlier.
I hesitate.
I shouldn't listen.
I already crossed that line once tonight.
But the voices sound tense, and something in my chest tells me this isn't a normal conversation.
So I move quietly down the stairs.
The marble is cold beneath my bare feet, but I ignore it as I stop just outside the study door.
Two men are inside.
One of them I recognize instantly.
Marco.
He's one of Dante's trusted men. Quiet, serious, always standing near Dante during meetings.
The second man is someone I've seen around the mansion but never spoken to.
One of the guards.
Their backs are partially turned toward the door.
"…this wasn't part of the deal," Marco says quietly.
My stomach tightens.
Deal?
The guard runs a hand through his hair nervously.
"I didn't know they were planning an attack tonight."
Marco's voice drops lower.
"Lower your voice."
"I'm trying," the guard mutters. "But this whole thing is getting out of control."
My heart starts beating faster.
Out of control?
Marco steps closer to him.
"You were paid to give them information. That's it."
Information.
The word hits me like ice water.
"They were supposed to scare Dante," the guard continues. "Not start a war."
My breath catches in my throat.
Oh my God.
Marco glances toward the door quickly, and I press myself back against the wall, hoping he doesn't see me.
After a moment, he turns back to the guard.
"You're already involved," Marco says coldly. "There's no backing out now."
"I didn't agree to this."
"You agreed when you took the money."
My chest tightens.
A traitor.
Inside the mansion.
Inside Dante's inner circle.
The guard shakes his head.
"If Dante finds out—"
"He won't."
Marco's tone is calm.
Too calm.
"How can you be sure?" the guard asks.
"Because I'm the one who controls the security rotations."
My stomach drops.
Security rotations.
Which means Marco knows where every guard is posted.
Every weakness.
Every blind spot.
The guard lowers his voice even more.
"When are they coming back?"
"Soon," Marco replies. "They want another chance."
"To do what?"
Marco's answer makes my blood run cold.
"Finish what they started."
For a moment the hallway feels like it's spinning.
They're planning another attack.
And this time someone inside the mansion is helping them.
The guard shifts nervously.
"What about the girl?"
My heart stutters.
Girl?
Marco's expression hardens slightly.
"She complicates things."
"So what do we do about her?"
Marco thinks for a moment.
"If necessary… we remove the problem."
My breath stops.
They're talking about me.
My mind screams at me to move, to run, to do something—but my body refuses to cooperate.
Because if they see me here…
I'm dead.
Marco walks toward the door slightly, and I flatten myself against the wall again.
My heart is pounding so loudly I'm sure they'll hear it.
"You worry too much," Marco says to the guard.
"This plan is risky."
"All good plans are."
"And if Dante figures it out?"
Marco's voice turns cold.
"Then we make sure he doesn't."
The guard looks uneasy.
"That man is dangerous."
Marco smiles faintly.
"That's why removing him will make us very rich."
My chest tightens painfully.
Removing him.
They mean killing him.
Dante.
The man who's been protecting me.
The man whose voice I can still hear in my head saying he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to me.
And now someone inside his own house is trying to destroy him.
The guard finally nods slowly.
"When?"
Marco glances at his watch.
"Soon."
A chill runs down my spine.
Very soon.
"I'll contact them tonight," Marco continues. "The next attack will be cleaner."
"And the girl?"
Marco's eyes darken.
"If she becomes a problem…"
His voice drops into a whisper.
"…she won't be one for long."
My heart slams against my ribs.
I can't stay here.
I have to warn Dante.
But if I move too fast, they'll hear me.
I take a slow step backward.
Then another.
The hallway feels impossibly long as I move silently away from the study.
My mind is racing.
I need to find Dante.
Now.
Because if Marco's plan works…
everything inside this mansion could collapse.
And the worst part?
Marco suddenly appears in the doorway behind me.
"Elena?"
My blood freezes.
I turn slowly.
Marco's eyes narrow slightly.
"How long have you been standing there?"
My heart is pounding so hard it hurts.
And suddenly I realize something terrifying.
He might already know I heard everything.