THE STERLING SECRETS

Chapter 15: The Third Shadow

Julian's possessiveness wasn't just a reaction to the night. It was a living, breathing paradigm.

Everywhere I went within the estate, eyes were on me.

If I walked into the gardens for a breath of air, a guard was twenty paces behind.

If I stayed in the library past midnight, Julian would appear in the shadows of the upper balcony. Silently watching over me like a hawk guarding its nest.

By Friday, the isolation was wearing on me.

I needed to see the sun. I needed to feel normal for even five minutes.

I convinced Marcus to let me walk to the small artisanal market just two blocks outside the estate gates to buy fresh coffee.

"Ten minutes, Miss Verannie," Marcus warned as the heavy iron gates clicked open.

"We are watching the feed."

The freedom, even for ten minutes, felt incredible.

The cool afternoon breeze cleared the scent of old paper and bleach from my lungs.

Kids were laughing. Vendors were shouting. It was loud and bright and alive.

But as I walked down the brick sidewalk, a strange prickle of unease formed at the base of my neck.

Like someone was watching me.

I stopped in front of a flower shop. Pretended to look at the roses.

Using the reflection in the glass window, I looked behind me.

A sleek black sedan with heavily tinted windows was idling at the curb.

Moving at a snail's pace just twenty yards away.

It wasn't one of Julian's security vehicles. Those all carried the Sterling corporate emblem on the license plate frame.

This car was completely unmarked. No logo. No plates I could see.

My stomach dropped.

Someone was tracking me.

I hurried my pace. Abandoned the coffee run and turned back toward the estate.

The sedan accelerated slightly. Keeping perfect pace with me.

Through the dark windshield, I could just barely make out the silhouette of a driver holding a camera up to the glass.

Taking photos of me.

Panic seized me.

I broke into a run. My heels clicking frantically against the pavement.

The sedan's engine roared. It pulled up right beside me, matching my speed.

The passenger door began to swing open.

Before I could scream, a massive silver SUV squealed around the corner.

It completely cut off the black sedan. Tires screeching.

The doors flew open.

Three of Julian's security guards jumped out. Weapons drawn.

"Hands up! Step away from the vehicle!"

The black sedan slammed its door shut. Threw the car into reverse.

And tore down the street. Tires smoking as it fled the scene.

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would break my ribs.

Before I could process what had happened, a strong, iron grip wrapped around my waist.

It lifted me off my feet and dragged me into the backseat of the silver SUV.

The door slammed shut. The vehicle sped back toward the estate.

I turned, gasping for air.

Only to find myself staring directly into Julian's face.

He was breathing heavily. His jaw clenched so tight the muscles were ticking.

He didn't say a word.

He simply grabbed my upper arms. Pulled me onto his lap.

And wrapped his arms around me in a suffocating, crushing embrace.

Like he was afraid I would disappear if he let go.

"Julian..." I gasped against his shoulder.

"Shut up," he commanded. His voice was shaking.

A terrifying mixture of rage and raw fear.

He buried his face in the crook of my neck. His grip tightening until it almost hurt.

"I told you not to leave the gates," he said against my skin. "I told you you were mine to protect."

His breath hitched.

"If they had taken you, Clara... if Eleanor had touched you..."

"Shh," I whispered. My hands came up to hold his face. "I'm here. I'm okay."

"It wasn't Eleanor," I said quietly, remembering the camera.

Julian pulled back slightly. His gray eyes were wild.

"What?"

"Julian, they were taking photos," I said. "Not trying to kidnap me. Documenting me."

His expression darkened.

"Then it isn't Eleanor," he murmured. "It's worse."

He looked out the window. At the estate gates coming into view.

"Someone else is hunting us now. Someone who wants proof that you're mine."

The SUV pulled through the gates. They slammed shut behind us.

And I realized the cage had just gotten smaller.

Because now there were three players in this game.

Eleanor.

Julian.

And the shadow taking our picture.