Chapter 76. Leonardo

S:

The sun is dipping behind the trees by the time we pull up to the villa. Rae leans her head against the window, the wind soft in her hair. She’s quiet. Peaceful. A stark contrast to the storm she was this morning.

And I thank God for that.

I open the door for her, and we step inside.

The scent of something roasted hangs faintly in the air. Maybe leftovers from lunch. Maybe Eliza decided to play chef again.

Before I can call out, Kieran walks into the hallway and flops himself on the couch.

His shirt—

Soaked.

Splattered with blood like a modern art canvas. His sleeves rolled up, hair a mess. There's a familiar gleam in his eyes—unapologetic, feral.

“Well,” he says casually. “You missed quite the show.”

Rae blinks. “What happened?”

“I went back,” he says, cracking his knuckles. “Played a little with our masked tough guy.”

He grins.

“Real chatty, that one. Once you find the right nerve.”

I raise an e