Chapter 365

“Mrs. Grey.” The sound of his voice hit Riyana like a sudden shock. She flinched hard, her shoulders jerking, heart slamming against her ribs as if it wanted to break out. She hadn’t even realized how tense her body had been until that moment. Her mind was still stuck on her father’s words, his threat, his face, the way he vanished so easily like a shadow. Before she could gather herself, the door creaked open. Cristo stepped inside quickly, his eyes scanning her face, then her arms, then the corners of the room. His body was alert, sharp, ready. One of his hands stayed behind his back, instinctively close to the gun he always carried. “You okay?” he asked immediately, voice low but urgent. “Are you hurt anywhere?” He took another step closer, his gaze searching for signs of struggle. Bruises. Scratches. Anything out of place. Riyana watched him quietly for a second. Only then did she notice the shape under his jacket, the slight bulge at his waist. A gun. She let out a slow breath. “N