The mansion was quiet. Too quiet.
Aria sat in the living room, still trembling slightly. Her heels had been kicked off hours ago, her designer dress now slightly rumpled. She couldn't stop thinking about the attack.
And Ethan.
The way he moved, the calm way he neutralized the attackers… it had left her chest pounding in ways she hated.
Sophia, sitting beside her, didn't seem the least bit shaken. Instead, her eyes kept darting toward Ethan, who was inspecting the security cameras.
"You're staring again," Aria snapped, barely keeping her tone even.
Sophia grinned. "I can't help it. Look at him! He's… perfect."
Aria felt a flash of irritation—jealousy she wasn't ready to admit. "You think anyone can survive living with him 24/7? You're crazy."
Sophia leaned closer. "I'll take my chances."
Aria clenched her fists but didn't respond. Instead, she watched Ethan, who was now silently scanning every corner of the mansion. Every movement he made screamed control and danger.
And he hadn't even noticed the tension between the girls.
Later, during dinner, Ethan remained quiet, but his presence filled every corner of the room. He didn't smile, didn't flirt, but every glance he threw in Aria or Sophia's direction made their hearts race.
Sophia nudged Aria under the table. "You're acting weird."
"I'm not," Aria said, though her green eyes flicked toward Ethan before she could stop herself.
Ethan cleared his throat. "There's still a threat. More than the men downstairs."
Aria's stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"
He tapped a device on his wrist. "Someone's inside the estate. Not part of the previous attack. I've traced movement through the perimeter sensors. We aren't safe yet."
Sophia's breath caught, but she didn't move. Instead, she whispered under her breath, "I want to see him in action again…"
Aria glared at her.