As Dean examined the music box, Lana's mind raced. A wave of relief washed over her when he didn't find the hidden key. It was a small victory, a testament to her careful planning and execution. But the relief was fleeting, quickly replaced by a surge of adrenaline. The game was far from over; she'd merely won a small battle in a much larger war.
She felt a thrill of exhilaration mixed with a chilling awareness of the danger. She was playing a high-stakes game with a man who was far more ruthless and cunning than she'd initially anticipated. One wrong move, one misstep, and the consequences could be catastrophic. But fear didn't paralyze her; it sharpened her senses, intensified her focus.
She observed Dean's reaction with a keen eye, analyzing his subtle shifts in expression, the
