Chapter 6 - THE NIGHT THE ISLAND WENT DARK
The power failed at 11:43 p.m.
One moment, the estate glowed beneath crystal chandeliers.
The next, everything went black.
I was standing in the hallway when the lights disappeared.
Then I heard glass shatter downstairs.
A shout.
Footsteps.
And a gunshot.
My heart stopped.
I backed toward the wall.
Another shot.
Then Adrian's voice.
“Lena!”
I turned.
He appeared at the end of the corridor carrying a flashlight.
“Come here.”
I ran toward him.
He caught my hand.
“Stay close.”
We moved through a service passage behind the kitchen.
Outside, rain lashed the stone courtyard.
Adrian led me toward a small security building near the garden.
Inside, he locked the door.
I stared at him.
“What happened?”
His face was pale.
“Someone breached the estate.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
I swallowed.
“Are they after you?”
He looked at me.
Then said, “Possibly.”
I stared.
“And possibly me.”
He didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
For the first time since our wedding, I saw fear in Adrian's eyes.
Not for himself.
For me.
He took off his coat and placed it around my shoulders.
I looked at him.
“You don't have to pretend.”
He frowned.
“Pretend what?”
“That you care.”
May you like
His expression changed.
Then he said quietly, “I'm not pretending.”
