The ride home from the gala was silent, but the tension between Adriana and Marco was razor-sharp. The warning from Elijah Carter lingered in Adriana’s mind, weaving itself into every unspoken thought.
“You should know, Adriana… being Marco’s fiancée makes you valuable. And being valuable makes you vulnerable.”
Marco’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his jaw locked in quiet contemplation. He hadn’t spoken much since they left, and that alone made her uneasy.
“Are you going to tell me what that was all about?” Adriana finally asked.
Marco didn’t glance at her. “No.”
Adriana scoffed. “So I’m just supposed to accept cryptic threats now? That’s part of the deal?”
Marco sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Elijah likes to play mind games. Don’t let him get to you.”
“But he wasn’t
