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His brows lift, a devilish little smirk curling one side of his lips as if he's recalling our run-in in the bathroom. "That's absurd. You can't hole up here twenty-four-seven. Get dressed. Something appropriate; it's cold outside."

"Where are we going?" I ask, my eyes flicking back over the many stacked boxes that require my attention.

"Those will still be there."

It doesn't take much convincing to get me moving. I get dressed in my go-to leggings, oversized sweater, and boots, tug on a beanie for extra warmth, and check my makeup before deciding I don't have time. Gripping the banister, I move slowly down the grand staircase to the first floor as Sophie rushes up it.

"Good day," she says as she passes me.

I don't know what finally spurs me to, but I turn. "Sophie?"

She stops, shifting her gaze toward me. Her eyes say she’s been waiting for this moment, and I can’t tell whether she's dreading it or thankful it's finally come. "Yes?"

"Could we talk? Not now, of course. But maybe later, when I'm home, and you're not busy?"

She looks around, as if trying to figure out who’s listening, but no one is. "Yes. Come to my room tonight. I'm beside the Solarium. My name is on my door."

I nod no more than once before she's rushing away.

A hand on my back makes me jump, and I squeak out an embarrassing whimper.

"Ready to go?" Elias asks.

"You scared me." I try to catch my breath, my heart racing wildly.

"Sorry." His smile is spellbinding, and I'm caught in it like a mouse in a trap.

He leads me out to a very expensive-looking car and holds the door open for me.

"Madame,” he says, seeming a lot like Stanley for a moment.

I smile as I slide into the deep bucket seats. "Thank you, sir."

When he doesn't close the door, I look up to find him stock still, staring down at me as if he's perplexed.

"Are you okay?" I ask, my tone careful.

"Yes,” he quips.

He slams the door, and I'm left bereft, staring at the estate longingly because, while it might be the cause of my torment since I got here, I can handle it.

This charged energy between Elias and me is another story.

After a few minutes of driving and getting off the estate's property, I heave out a sigh.

"Are you doing okay?" he asks.

"Why do you care?" I don't mean to sound like a bitch, but I don't understand why he's here, let alone why I'd even go with him.

Leave it to me to think with my body, rather than rationality.

"I don't care."

"Well, then, why..."

He cuts me off. "Because I know how it feels to be cooped up in that fucking place, losing your mind every time the wind blows."

"You do?"