No one moved.
The man’s pistol remained trained on us.
His smile never wavered.
Lucien took one slow step forward.
“If you’re going to shoot someone…”
His voice was calm.
“…shoot me.”
The man chuckled.
“I have no interest in killing you, Mr. Kingston.”
“You’re much more valuable alive.”
His eyes shifted to me.
“I’m here for her.”
Lucien didn’t move aside.
“You’ll have to go through me.”
“I expected as much.”
The stranger sighed almost regretfully.
“I always wondered if you’d keep your childhood promise.”
A chill ran through me.
“You know about that?”
“I know far more than you think.”
He looked at the letter still clutched in my hand.
“Evelyn was sentimental.”
“She always believed love could fix anything.”
He smiled coldly.
“It couldn’t.”
“Who are you?”
I demanded.
