Page 127 of The Tower

Afterward, we lie tangled together, my head on his chest, his fingers drawing lazy patterns on my back. Neither of us speaks. There’s no need. The words have been said by our bodies. By the twining of our souls.

When sleep finally claims us, I feel a peace I’ve never known before, along with the certainty that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.

Morning comes, and Liam heads to the city for meetings, promising to return by dinner. I lose myself in Elysium updates, tweaking environments, testing new modules. Revising protocols.

Time slips sideways, and suddenly it’s mid-afternoon, my muscles stiff from hunching over the keyboard.

The security panel chimes, announcing a car at the gate. Not Liam’s new Audi or Ruby’s ancient Volvo. I check the camera feed and see only a sleek black sedan. I’m about to pick up the on-property phone when it rings.

“A Maya Lane would like to see you.” It’s Curtis, one of the five guards who work the perimeter and the gatehouse. “She says it’s urgent.”

My first instinct is to deny entry and protect our sanctuary. But curiosity wins. “Escort Ms. Lane to the house,” I tell him. “I’ll meet her outside.”

I choose the front terrace—neutral ground, security in sight but private enough for conversation. Spring sunshine dapples through maple leaves, and the breeze carries hints of pine and wildflowers. Far too beautiful a day for the ugliness I suspect is coming.

Maya steps from the car looking runway-ready—tailored pants, silk blouse, that mauve scarf. Curtis hangs back as she approaches.

“Sasha.” Her smile stops short of her eyes. “Lovely property,” she says, and I feel a stab of victory in the realization that Grimm never brought her here.

“Maya.” I keep my voice neutral. “Unexpected visit.”

“I imagine so.” She settles uninvited into a terrace chair, crossing those endless legs. “Though perhaps it shouldn’t be.”

I take the seat opposite, keeping my distance. “What brings you here?”

She studies me, head tilted like I’m a puzzle she’s solving. “When Liam first mentioned you, I dismissed you as nothing more than Daddy’s dress-up dolly.”

I wait, silent.

“But you’re more, aren’t you?” She leans forward. “Quite brilliant, actually. Elysium proves that.”

My creation’s name on her lips sends ice through my veins. “How do you know about Elysium?”

Her smile widens, turns predatory. “Oh, I know quite a bit. About Elysium. About Vale.” She leans closer. “About how long Liam’s been watching you there.”

The world tilts beneath me, her words reshaping reality. “Go on.”

She leans back, looking smug. “So I was right. He never told you.”

I force myself to stay cool. To keep all emotion off my face. As if I’m at a photoshoot, and the art director has told me that all he wants is my face as a neutral, unreadable canvas.

Inside, I’m already dying, terrified of the words still to come.

“Liam’s clever, too. You probably know that, but you might not understand the genius of the man who founded RSC. It’s fascinating how supremely skilled that man is at finding his way in and out of all the little gopher holes hidden in the dark corners of the internet.

She pauses, as if waiting for me to say something. But I can barely think, much less form words.

“He’s been watching everything,” she continues. “Your private moments, your fantasies, your hidden self.” Her voice softens, mockingly gentle. “For at least three years he watched you. He’s very good, you know. Always finding ways into systems that don’t want him there.”

She leans back, as if just getting comfortable. “He didn’t mean to tell me. I think he wanted to keep it his dirty little secret. The way he—shall we say—fleshed out Prince Killiam. But he hired me for my skills. And I’m a curious sort. To be honest, I haven’t seen it all. Your security is excellent. But I’ve seen enough to be impressed. And to find his entry points.”

Once again, her smile drips honey as bits and pieces lock into horrifying place. Liam’s instant grasp of Elysium when I showed him. His lack of surprise at its complexity. His too-perfect understanding of its architecture.

I’d thought it was because of his skill in cyber tech. And it was—because that skill is what had already given him an up-close-and personal look at my very private world.

She shrugs, all casual and light. “He has no idea I’m privy to his dirty little secret. But since you two are getting so cozy, I thought you should know. Girl Code, right?” Her smile is like baring fangs. “It’s just that Liam does whatever he deems necessary, regardless of collateral damage. He always has.”

I just look at her, saying nothing.