Chapter 4 — The House of Shadows

Layna

The Venturi Estate loomed before me like a beast cloaked in ivy, its wrought iron gates standing sentinel against the encroaching night. The car came to a jerking halt, and before I could even take a steadying breath, one of Saint’s men yanked me out, his grip firm yet carefully controlled. I stumbled slightly but caught myself, my eyes darting around, cataloging every detail. Cameras blinked like mechanical eyes from hidden corners, their presence a silent warning. The faint hum of electricity buzzed in the air, a constant reminder that this place wasn’t just a home—it was fortified, alive with unseen defenses. It was a fortress, every inch of it designed to keep prying eyes out and secrets locked in.