Page 217 of Lethal King

No matter how hard I try to zone in on Tytus, all I can really think about is Rozalia.

I can’t let him hurt her.

It hardly matters that his treachery would only push her deeper into my arms. That’s the last thing I want. She can’t be forced to want me. It needs to be a choice.

That’s why I let her go after dinner.

I wanted her to chase after me again. To prove she feels the same way

But she left.

Now, I’m back on the chase. But my goal isn’t to capture her. It’s to give her the freedom to choose me over everyone else.

Somehow, I know she will.

I just need to give her the chance.

If that means killing her brother, then so be it.

Keeping my gun locked ahead, I forge forward. The mansion isn’t nearly as decrepit as I was expecting. From the outside, it almost looks like an abandoned castle. On the inside, though, there’s a cozy lived-in museum vibe that’s clearly been created on purpose.

Antique paintings and busts line the tight hallways. Fine Persian rugs fill out the floors. Sconce lights flicker with electric candlelight.

I take great care not to bump into anything as I make my way through the twisted maze. But it's not because I’m worried about shattering some priceless relic. My only concern is staying as quiet as possible.

Someone is here. And I can’t let them get the jump on me.

When I turn the next corner, though, my vow of silence is tested. It looks like I’ve come across the scene of a murder. But there’s nobody. Only blood.

I want to curse, but I just barely manage to stop myself.

The bloody footprints I lost earlier have reappeared, seemingly out of nowhere. They surround a crimson pool. I try to find where they’ve come from, but they seem to have walked out of the walls.

My lips curl into a sneer.

Looking around, I spot an old renaissance painting. It’s crooked. When I cautiously step towards it, I feel a cold draft.

A hidden door.

Fucking hell. That’s where the blood came from.

Now, where did it go?

My pulse slows as I follow the bloody footprints. They stumble around a dark corner up ahead. Cocking my gun, I take a deep breath and chase after them.

Tytus is here. He has to be. This is his hideout, after all. Who else would know about that hidden doorway?

“Is everything alright in there?”

Deacon’s voice crackles through my earpiece just as I reach the dark corner. Resting my back against the wall, I place a finger against the device and click it off.

I can’t allow myself to be distracted, and I definitely can’t risk giving my position away.

Tytus is dangerous, and I’m on his turf. Really, I should be waiting until backup gets here, but I have a bad feeling something is seriously wrong.

And after what Rozalia told me at dinner, I’ve decided I won’t ever ignore my gut again.

Not about my feelings for her, and definitely not on anything business related.