"Don't be scared," Reggie murmured, his voice a whisper that barely rose above the heavy silence surrounding us. Yet the irony of his words only amplified my fear, intensifying every trembling pulse within me. Here I was, standing in front of the man who held every ounce of power in this cold, cavernous warehouse, a place that echoed with unspeakable things. The chill in the air was relentless, gnawing at my skin, but my body felt feverish, almost burning. Sweat slicked my palms, a nervous sheen on my brow, and I felt the erratic beat of my heart drum so loudly it seemed to drown out the silence.
Each breath was shallow, catching in my throat as Reggie’s gaze settled on me, dark and intense, taking in my appearance with a slow deliberation that felt almost invasive. He scanned my face, hi
