Bound to her uncles' touch

The ocean waves outside were crashing against the cliffs like they were trying to tear the whole coastline down. I stood in the massive living room, pressing my hand against the giant glass window. Even through three layers of thick glass, I could feel the rumble of thirty-foot waves smashing into the rocks far below. Outside, everything was wild, dark, and dangerous. Inside, it was dead silent. That was the creepiest thing about Crestwood Estate. It was built like a billionaire’s dream home; sleek concrete, shiny floors, and huge glass walls. But to me, it felt like a cold, expensive cage. "Your tea is getting cold, Miss Vance." I didn't turn around. The polite, cold voice belonged to Mrs. Gable, the head housekeeper who had been assigned to oversee my settling in. She set a teacup down on the kitchen counter behind me with a quiet clink. "Thank you, Mrs. Gable," I murmured, my voice sounding tiny in the giant room. "I’ll drink it in a second." "Your mother left instructions before she left for the airport," Mrs. Gable added. "She asked that you stay inside the house until the storm passes. The roads around here are dangerous at this time of the year." A bitter knot tightened in my stomach after hearing my mother’s instructions. I had spent my entire life watching Soraya, my mother giving me orders from a distance. Three weeks ago, she suddenly married into the wealthy Crestwood family. It was all over the news; fancy dresses, big headlines, and rich socialites. Then, less than two days after getting married, she packed her things and left. She claimed she had an urgent business trip across Europe and Asia, gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, and hopped into a sleek black car. She didn't even ask if I wanted to stay here. She just told me that while my father’s old estate was being sorted out, I had to stay at Crestwood Estate, completely isolated, surrounded by thick woods and crashing seas. "Will Mr. Crestwood be joining me for dinner tonight?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the stormy ocean. "Which one, Miss Vance?" The question felt heavy. "Either," I said softly. "Mr. Jarrah Crestwood is in his office reviewing corporate reports," Mrs. Gable said as she walked toward the hallway. "And Mr. Talon Crestwood got back from the docks an hour ago. Neither of them had indicated interest in a formal dinner. I left some cold food in the fridge for you and don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything." The heavy door slid shut, leaving me completely alone again. I took a deep breath and muttered. Jarrah and Talon, My new step-uncles. The word felt weird in my head. They weren't old men with gray hair and friendly smiles. Jarrah is 34 and a massive, quiet man who ran the family’s global business with total authority. Talon is 32, sharp, unpredictable, and always looked like he was ready for a fight. During the few awkward family dinners my mother made us attend before the wedding, both brothers treated me like a complete stranger. They sat across the table, watching me with intense, silent eyes. They barely spoke to me, keeping a massive wall between us. And now, with my mother gone, I was stuck alone in the house with both of them. I picked up my tea and turned toward the hallway, wanting nothing more than to hide in my bedroom. Snap. I froze. The sound was sharp, like someone stepping hard on a loose floorboard in the quiet corridor outside. My heart started thumping against my ribs, so hard that I could hear the beats. "Mrs. Gable?" I called out, my voice shaking a little. No answer. Just the quiet hum of the heater. I took a few slow steps toward the hallway. The air instantly felt colder, smelling like rain and expensive men's cologne. A shadow moved at the far end of the hallway. My heart sank into my stomach. It was Talon. He wasn't wearing his suit jacket. His dark dress shirt was unbuttoned at the neck, sleeves rolled up, showing off his strong, muscular arms. His short black hair was damp from the rain. He stood completely still with his hand in his pocket, locking his gray eyes onto mine. He didn't smile. He just stared at me with an intensity that made it difficult for me to breathe. "Talon," I whispered, the name slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. "I . . . I thought you were in your room." He took a few steps toward me, moving like a predator stalking its prey. "This is my house, Merrin," his deep voice rumbled. "I go wherever I want." I swallowed hard and took a step back, but my shoe caught the edge of the rug. I stumbled, almost spilling my hot tea everywhere, and before I could even gasp, a tall shadow moved in out of nowhere. A large, warm hand clamped firmly around my wrist, catching me before I fell. I looked up, expecting Talon, but the scent was different. Coffee, cedarwood, and rain. It was Jarrah. He stood so close I could feel the heat coming off his chest. His sharp jaw was locked tight, a faint scar running across his knuckles right where he held my arm. His dark eyes burned into mine, holding me tightly. "Careful, little bird," Jarrah said softly, his voice low and smooth. "It’s a long way down if you fall." Behind him, Talon stepped closer, his eyes darkening as he stared at Jarrah’s hand holding my wrist. The air between the three of us snapped with a strange, dangerous heat and an intense pull that made my head spin. Before I could say anything, a loud, piercing alarm chimed through the house speakers. A red warning light started flashing along the floor. Jarrah’s grip on my wrist tightened instantly. Talon went completely stiff, his hand reaching inside his jacket like he was reaching for a weapon. The security screen on the wall flashed bright orange with a cold message: [ALERT: MAIN GATE BREACHED. SECURITY CAMERAS OFFLINE.] And before I could even scream, a heavy thud echoed through the walls, and every single light in the mansion went off, leaving us in total darkness.