Forming an Alliance

"You guys head back. I'll go check on her," Damien Sterling said coldly.

"How are you going to get in?" Ryan Garcia asked.

"I have a key," Damien replied, pulling out the study key he had taken from the bedroom.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Ryan fumed, tempted to slap Damien. Did he not realize how cold it was outside or how dangerous climbing that tree had been?

"I was going to, but you ran off before I could," Damien replied icily.

"Alright, Ryan, let's go," Brianna Baker interjected.

"Aunt Brianna, it's late. You both should stay the night. We have plenty of spare rooms," Damien suggested.

Brianna nodded, leading Ryan to the guest rooms.

Meanwhile, in Sophia Greenwood's car, silence stretched uncomfortably. Harper Clark finally broke, "What exactly do you want?"

Sophia didn't reply, merely giving a sly, seductive smile.