An Escape Under Guard

The accusation hit me like a slap in the face. Adrian Valois, towering over me with his dark, suspicious eyes, actually thought I was using his daughter to get to him.

"You have some nerve," I hissed, keeping my voice low but allowing my anger to show. "I didn't ask Camille to be my friend. She approached me."

"And yet you agreed," Adrian countered, his jaw set in that stubborn way that made me want to scream. "How convenient."

I took a step back, needing space from his overwhelming presence and that intoxicating scent that clouded my judgment.

"You know what? Think whatever you want." I straightened my shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. "I'm going to find Camille because unlike you, I actually care about how lonely she feels."