Chapter 40 – A Dangerous Game**

Xavier’s Office – The Arrival of Lila Evernight**

The ticking of the minimalist wall clock was the only sound breaking the heavy silence of Xavier Draven’s office.

He sat at his massive black desk, sharp golden eyes scanning the latest reports from his business empire. Outside, the city skyline stretched in endless lights, but inside, the air was thick with anticipation.

Then, the door swung open.

Lila Evernight stepped in, all confidence and seduction wrapped in emerald silk.

Reed, lounging on the leather couch near the bar, let out a low whistle. "I knew today was going to be interesting."

Xavier didn’t move, his expression unreadable. "You have five seconds to explain why you’re here before I throw you out."

Lila laughed, slow and smooth, as she sauntered closer. "Always so warm, Xavier."

Reed chuckled. "You caught him in a good mood. Last guy who annoyed him left in an ambulance."

Lila arched a brow. "Then I’d better make my visit worth your time." She turned her gaze to Xavier, her lips curling. "It’s about Raine."

His fingers paused against the glass of whiskey he was holding.

Lila caught the reaction, her smile sharpening. "I see that name still gets under your skin."

Xavier’s golden gaze darkened. "Choose your next words wisely, Lila."

She ignored the warning, placing both hands on his desk and leaning in slightly. "You took something from my family. My mother isn’t happy about it."

Xavier’s lips curled into something almost amused. "Vivienne threw Raine away like trash. I simply picked her up."

Lila’s eyes gleamed with something dangerous. "You didn’t just pick her up. You’re **keeping** her."

Reed exhaled. "And that’s a problem for you because…?"

Lila’s voice dropped lower. "Because my mother doesn’t like losing control over something she once owned."

Xavier let out a low chuckle, slow and menacing. "Raine was never hers to own. And she sure as hell isn’t yours, either."

Lila smirked. "No. But she’s **yours**, isn’t she?"

Xavier’s golden eyes flickered with something unreadable. He didn’t answer.

Reed grinned. "That silence says everything."

Lila straightened, adjusting the straps of her dress. "Vivienne wants a meeting."

Xavier took a slow sip of whiskey, eyes still locked on her. "She doesn’t request meetings. She demands them. So why send you?"

Lila placed a hand on her hip. "Because I know how to get you to listen."

Xavier stood suddenly, the sheer power radiating from him making the air shift. He wasn’t just a businessman. He was a **predator**, the kind that made people forget to breathe when he looked their way.

Lila stilled as he walked around the desk, stopping just inches from her.

His voice was smooth, but laced with a lethal edge. "Vivienne is grasping at straws. She threw Raine to the wolves, and now she wants to play the concerned stepmother? I don’t buy it."

Lila tilted her head. "Then consider this a warning. My mother doesn’t like loose ends."

Xavier’s jaw flexed. "Raine isn’t a loose end. She’s a **fucking storm**, and your mother is about to find herself caught in it."

Lila’s pulse spiked, but she held his gaze. "We’ll see." She turned on her heel, heading toward the door. But before leaving, she threw one last remark over her shoulder.

"Be careful, Xavier. When my mother decides someone is in her way, they don’t last long."

Then she was gone.

The door clicked shut, leaving only silence.

Reed let out a low whistle. "That woman loves playing with fire."

Xavier downed the rest of his drink. "She’ll learn soon enough—**I’m the fire.**"

\---

\### **Back at the Estate – Raine’s Unease**

Raine stood on the balcony outside her room, arms wrapped around herself as the cool breeze brushed against her skin.

Something felt off.

She didn’t know what, but her instincts were screaming at her that something was shifting. The calm before a storm.

Ivy appeared at the doorway, stretching lazily. "You’ve been standing there for ten minutes. You look like you’re waiting for something to explode."

Raine sighed. "Maybe I am."

Ivy leaned against the railing. "Xavier’s got everything under control."

Raine bit her lip. "That’s what worries me."

Ivy snorted. "Why? The man is practically untouchable. You should be **enjoying** this."

Before Raine could answer, the distant sound of a car rolling into the driveway made her tense.

She turned, eyes narrowing as the sleek black vehicle came to a stop.

And then—

The door opened, and **Kieran Wolfe stepped out**.

Alone.

Raine’s breath caught in her throat.

Ivy’s expression darkened instantly. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

Kieran stood in the dim light of the streetlamps, his dark hair slightly tousled, his sharp jaw clenched. Even from a distance, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Raine’s.

A muscle ticked in his jaw. He looked… different. The usual arrogance was still there, but something else lurked beneath it.

Something raw.

"Stay here," Ivy muttered, already moving toward the staircase.

Raine grabbed her arm. "No. I want to hear what he has to say."

Ivy’s eyes flashed with irritation, but after a tense moment, she sighed. "Fine. But if he says one thing out of line, I’m breaking his face."

Raine exhaled, steadying herself as she walked downstairs.

Kieran was standing near the entrance, waiting.

She stopped a few feet away, crossing her arms. "What do you want, Kieran?"

He let out a slow breath, his gaze dragging over her. "You look different."

Raine didn’t respond.

His jaw clenched. "Stronger."

She tilted her head. "Disappointed?"

Something flickered in his eyes—something she didn’t recognize. "No."

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Kieran spoke, his voice quieter. "I made a mistake."

Raine’s heart thudded, but she kept her expression blank. "Which one?"

His lips pressed together. "All of them."

Her fingers curled into fists. "You don’t get to say that now."

Kieran took a step closer, his blue eyes dark and unreadable. "I’m not asking for forgiveness, Raine."

She laughed, sharp and bitter. "Good. Because you’re not getting it."

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I just… needed to see you."

Raine’s throat tightened, but she forced herself to stay cold. "Well, now you have."

Kieran hesitated for just a second. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Take care of yourself, Raine."

Then he turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.

Raine stood frozen, heart hammering in her chest.

Ivy appeared beside her, arms crossed. "What the hell was that?"

Raine exhaled shakily. "I don’t know."

But deep down, she knew this wasn’t the end.

It was only the beginning.