{Hailey’s POV}
I didn’t go looking at George Lachlan. I didn’t search the house hoping to “accidentally” run into Julian Lachlan, shirtless and smug with another cigarette tucked between his lips. I wasn’t planning to think about the way he looked at me in the room last night, flicking my bean.
But the thing about fire, it finds you.
I was heading to the library after Aaron had left me behind. I’d overheard Clara mention there were panels in there that hadn’t been opened in years. And if this house was truly full of riddles, then the library seemed like a good place to start unraveling them.
I turned the corner.
And there he was.
Leaning against the doorframe like some carved sin in human form. Julian. His sleeves were rolled up. His jaw was sharp. And that stare… God, it hit me li
