A Dance with Danger

Chapter Six

>>Tiberius' POV<<

The phone crackled, the faint sound of static filling the car’s quiet interior as my father's deep, familiar voice resonated through the line. His concern, always palpable, seemed to thicken the air around me, as if his worry could somehow manifest in the real world. "Tiberius, how are things?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of restrained tension.

I leaned back in the driver's seat, one hand loosely gripping the steering wheel, the other tapping rhythmically on the leather. "I’m fine, Papa," I responded, keeping my tone even, clipped, controlled.

I wasn’t intentionally irritated, but the subtle edge in my voice was hard to hide. My father had an uncanny ability to sense even the smallest crack in my armor.

A heavy sigh crackled through the line, laden with worry—and something else, softer, like an unspoken plea. "And your brother?" he pressed, his voice sharpening at the mention of Skylar. I could hear the familiar weight in his words, the anxiety that never seemed to fade when it came to Skylar.

"I’m at his college now," I answered, my eyes scanning the stream of students trickling out into the afternoon light. My gaze instantly found him—Skylar. He stood near the entrance, his lean frame calm but exuding an air of quiet dominance.

The others, oblivious to the storm brewing in him, laughed at something, their voices merging with the hum of the crowd, but Skylar? He was a still figure, his eyes cutting through the scene with a calculating detachment.

Skylar was a Doberman in human form—a creature of sharp angles, calculated moves, and a fiercely loyal nature. But there was an underlying chaos to him, a darkness that simmered just below the surface.

He moved through the world with the subtlety of a predator, circling, waiting, toying with his prey. His patience was unnerving, and when he eventually struck, it was swift, lethal, and without mercy. His potential for destruction was terrifying, like a wildfire waiting for the right spark to set it ablaze.

And yet, despite the danger in him, Skylar was still my brother, my responsibility. He inherited the same relentless fire that ran through our family’s veins. But unlike me, he lacked the restraint, the control.

In that way, he reminded me of Papa in his younger days—unforgiving, terrifying when angered, a force of nature that could reduce the world to ash without lifting a finger. But the world didn’t know Skylar yet. They didn’t know how to fear him, but they would.

"I’ve heard you’re getting married next month." My father's voice broke through my thoughts, his words snapping my attention back to the phone.

I sighed, glancing back at the street as I spoke. "Whatever you're planning, stop it!" Papa's voice came through sharply, tinged with frustration. "The poor girl is in for the ride of her life."

His frustration was an old melody, one I had long grown accustomed to. I arched an eyebrow, though he couldn’t see it. "Papa, Estelle agreed to this," I replied calmly, though I knew it wasn’t just about the agreement.

Estelle’s trust in me wasn’t something I could take lightly. It was fragile, like fine glass. She could shatter just as easily as she could stand strong.

A long pause followed before Papa’s voice softened, the concern lacing his words heavier now. "Tiberius... don’t hurt her. She deserves everything."

His words hit me harder than I expected. I knew he was right. Estelle wasn’t just another player in my world. She was more than that. A force unto herself, someone who refused to be consumed by the shadows that clung to me.

She didn't bend to my will, and that was part of the reason I couldn’t let her go. "I know," I said finally, my tone losing its sharpness. "I wouldn’t betray her trust."

There was another silence before Papa’s voice brightened, a hint of something like relief creeping through. "I’m coming next week," he said, his tone lighter. "Maybe I can knock some sense into you while I’m there."

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "I’ll see you then, Papa."

The call ended just as Skylar slid into the passenger seat, his movements fluid and quick, the precise motions of a predator on the hunt. His presence filled the car instantly.

Beneath his cold exterior, I could still see the remnants of the boy he used to be—the one who looked up to me with wide, curious eyes. It wasn’t easy being his older brother, but it was my job to protect him. Even if he didn’t make it easy.

______________________

The venue buzzed with energy when I arrived. Inside, Estelle was at the center of it all, orchestrating the chaos with a precision that made everything seem effortless.

Her presence was commanding yet calm, like a quiet storm that everyone was drawn into, moving in sync with her unspoken rhythm. She was dressed simply, but her elegance radiated from every movement. Her sharp eyes swept over every detail, ensuring everything was perfect.

For a moment, I simply watched her, allowing myself to appreciate the grace with which she navigated her world. She wasn’t a part of mine, not entirely, but she moved through it like she belonged. With effortless poise, she made it seem like she was always meant to be here.

When her gaze met mine, she dismissed her team with a simple nod, crossing her arms as her lips curved into a teasing smile. "You’re early," she said, her voice soft but amused.

"Couldn’t stay away," I replied smoothly, closing the distance between us. She studied me, her sharp eyes never letting anything slip by unnoticed.

"This about the event or something else?" she asked, her head tilting slightly as she scrutinized me. Her suspicion was always on edge.

"Can’t it be both?" I countered, slipping my hands into my pockets. I allowed myself a brief glance around the room, taking in the subtle elegance of the venue. It was perfect, just like I knew it would be. She was exceptional at everything she did.

She rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. "You’re impossible, you know that?"

"Part of my charm," I said with a smirk, though beneath the lighthearted banter, the weight of the night pressed down on me. Tonight wasn’t just another event—it was a crossroads, where her world and mine collided. And I wasn’t sure where it would lead.

I guided her out of the building to my car, the soft hum of the city around us fading into the background. The future was uncertain, but one thing was for sure—no matter what, I would always have her back.