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I stepped toward it before I could stop myself.

Reached out, pushed open the door.

Then froze.

A tiny red ribbon rested folded neatly on a desk. Beside it—a loaded magazine.

The breath left my lungs slowly.

Love.

Violence.

Grief.

All preserved side by side like somehow they belonged together.

This was his world.

But it was also mine too. I glanced at the magazine once more. There had to be a gun close. My gaze shifted to the ribbon. Something trembled inside me. A flicker of… regret.

The house has rules…

My breaths turned shallow and fast. Whatever pain existed here for him was now over. Mine, had returned. I took a step, pushing the door open wider and stepped inside. I curled my fingers at the sight of the shimmering satin. But I didn’t touch. No. That was too… intimate. I picked up the magazine instead and turned around, scanning the room.

Guild came back to me.

His methodical movements. Checking doors. Checking sofas. But he wasn’t checking for softness was he? No. I scanned the space, stopped at the large cabinet. It sat out from the wall. Far enough to hide a weapon. I moved to the side, pressed my cheek to the wall and ran my fingers along the corner, touching leather, then stopped.

There.

Steel was cold under my fingers. I reached in, wrapped my hand around the grip and pulled it free. It was heavy. Too heavy. I tested the weight, searched for another weapon. Something lighter. There wasn’t one.

This was all there was.

Guided movements returned to me.

His hands working.

Grasping.

Checking.

I scanned the gun. The safety was on the side. I knew that at least. A small steel button sat near the grip. I pressed it, hearing a click. My grip trembled as I pulled the magazine free. It was full. I pushed it back in, keeping my finger away from the trigger.

The slide was hard. I pulled until my hand shook, clenching tight until my fingers stung. Come on. I pulled harder, easing it open until I saw it. A round sat inside. That’s what Guild called it, right? A round in the… the⁠—

Movement.

From the corner of my eye.

I spun, heart lunging and lifted the gun.

He stood there. Right behind me.

Those pale eyes settled on my face like he was listening to something beneath my skin. Then⁠—

“You checked the chamber first?”