A stranger appeared silently in Felicia's room. Tall and clad in black, he blended with the night, his fair skin strikingly prominent. His dark eyes held a cold weariness, and a hint of amusement that felt more enigmatic than genuine. He seemed a god descending, mysterious and dangerous.
"Stephan?" Felicia thought, her heart racing. Maintaining composure, she forced a laugh. "Mr. Russell, are you lost? Shall I show you out?" She recalled his infiltration of the Fuller residence at the last party. Now, he returned under cover of night. Was he after something? His gaze flickered. "You're not even a bit afraid," he remarked.
Terrified, she knew the consequences of shouting. He would silence her. Feigning innocence, she offered, "You must have taken a wrong turn. Let me distract the guards."
He stepped closer, towering over her. She tensed, unsure what displeased him. With a sardonic smile, he asked, "Don't you want to know why I'm here?"
"Not really," she replied. "Besides, the Fuller residence isn't my home." Lowering her lashes, her gaze fell to the floor, the dim light casting shadows that created an illusion of a shared kiss.
Instinctively, Felicia pushed him away, immediately regretting it. Stephan's expression darkened, danger filling the room. She remembered their last encounter—a helicopter ride where an accidental touch led to a harsh warning. Now, her hands pressed against his chest. His firmness startled her. Stepping back, she explained, "I didn't mean to. Do you believe me?"
"What do you think?" he countered. He moved closer, amusement gone. Felicia, trapped, flared. "Is it wrong to push you away when you're so close?" It was infuriating. "A grown man shouldn't be so sensitive," she added.
"Did you enjoy that?" he asked.
"I did."
"Now it's my turn."
The gravity of her words struck her. As his fingers grazed her shirt, her hidden silver needles gleamed. Just as she prepared to strike, a loud knock echoed from the bedroom door.
"Licia, open the door! There's a thief!" Myra called urgently, followed by the sound of searching guards. The guards reported the intruder to Dexter and Myra. The family gathered as the guards searched the residence.