Chapter 10: A Deal with the Devil

The car trip back was quiet, but the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.

Sabrina sat beside Nathaniel in the back of his sleek black Rolls-Royce, her mind still replaying the evening's events. She had taken a gamble with Ashford, spoken out of turn, and yet—she had won. The deal was sealed.

She should have felt victorious. Instead, she felt like she had just walked into a trap she hadn't seen coming.

Nathaniel finally spoke, his voice smooth but unreadable. "You surprised me tonight."

Sabrina turned to him, meeting his dark gaze. "I wasn't planning to."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You're dangerous when you're confident, Sabrina."

She swallowed. "And that's a problem?"

Nathaniel leaned in slightly, his presence overwhelming in the confined space. "No. That's what makes this interesting."

Her pulse quickened, but she refused to look away. "Are you saying I passed your test?"

Nathaniel chuckled, low and dark. "You passed. But that only means the tests will get harder."

Sabrina clenched her fists. Of course, it wasn't that simple.

The car slowed as they pulled up in front of her apartment building. The driver stepped out to open her door, but before she moved, Nathaniel caught her wrist.

She turned, startled by the sudden contact.

"Be careful, Sabrina," he murmured, his grip just tight enough to send a message. "You're playing in my world now. And in my world, trust is a weapon."

Her breath caught in her throat.

Before she could respond, he released her, his expression unreadable.

Sabrina stepped out of the car, feeling the weight of his words settle over her.

As she walked into her building, she realized something.

Nathaniel Knight wasn't just testing her.

He was warning her.

And she had no idea if she was ready for what came next.