#Chapter 71: A Gilded Cage

Aurora POV I never imagined I’d be this scared to see a man who isn’t quite a stranger but isn’t exactly an acquaintance either. When Gianna and I see Alek standing feet from us, leaning casually against the sleek black car behind him, a thread of fear tightens my chest. He watches us like some kind of predator who’s already spotted his next meal, planning on how best to kill us once he’s captured us. Alek’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. Gianna sucks in a sharp breath next to me, her hand tightening on mine. “Ladies,” he greets, his accent thick and velvet-smooth, just like it had been the first time we met him. “You’ve caused quite the chase.” We don’t have time to react. Two of his men appear behind us, one of them already with a hand subtly resting on the gun holstered at his hip. It’s not a threat, not outright, but the message is still clear: get in the car or things will get ugly. I look at Gianna and I see my own terror reflected in her eyes. I want to run bu