An Oath In Blood (Book #3)

Chapter 27: The Encore Empire

WARREN HALE

I wiped my forehead with my towel, walking into my house, ready to take a shower and get ready for work. It was Thursday, two days before Jace's engagement party and he was still mad at me. I didn't know why he was being a baby; I had done everything in my power to make him feel better but nothing seemed to be working.

I made my way down the hallway toward the stairs at the back, which led to my room. The first floor of the house consisted of a kitchen, a living room, and two guest rooms. The second floor consisted of my bedroom, my home office, a small library, and a terrace garden I liked to tend to sometimes. Throughout the week, a gardner took care of my garden while a housekeeper came in thrice every week to set the house straight. I liked to cook my own meals even though I was no Ren.

As I passed the kitchen, I heard a faint clatter as if someone was inside. I frowned. The housekeeper usually came when I was at work and left before I got home. Had she arrived early today?

"Helen?" I called out, making my way toward the kitchen. I needed to have a word about our arrangement. I didn't like people stepping into my personal space when I didn't want them there.

No one answered and paranoia crept on me. After everything that had happened in New York, I was more cautious about my surroundings. Unusual sounds made me jump and shadows spooked me. It was a normal reaction for a person who had just gone through a traumatic event.

Swallowing once, I inched closer to the closed kitchen door, not daring to take my eyes off of it. Goosebumps scattered over my skin and my heart began a thundering march inside my chest. I told myself to get a grip but sweat formed on my forehead, and it had nothing to do with the run I had just gotten back from.

Gingerly, I opened the kitchen door, peeking inside. My heart leapt in my chest when I noticed that it was empty. My breath abandoned me in a rush as I opened the door and stepped inside. Everything was in its place, the brown and white interior of my kitchen staring back at me with innocence.

I surveyed every corner with a scrutinizing eye but found nothing. Everything was in its place. Everything was fine. But a pit opened in my stomach, whispers echoing in my ears that something was wrong.

I shook my head to ward off the thoughts. I needed to get over everything that had happened in New York. I needed to move on. I had been spared. No one was coming for me now. Corvina had granted me a chance to live. And I refused to waste my life in fear and paranoia.

Walking out of the kitchen, I made my way up the stairs to my room, putting the incident behind me. I needed some time to overcome these disturbing thoughts. And a little more time to move on from Corvina.

I needed to stop wishing that we hadn't said our final goodbyes.

......

CORVINA HAWKE

"Warren Hale has no family in London. Only three friends, all in relationships currently. He lives alone. His house was way too easy to track. All of the friends' addresses are available online if you know just how deep to dig. We scoured his place this morning when he'd gone out for a run but found nothing. Your phone isn't in his house." Lily rambled off, sitting at the desk in my hotel room.

I paced the length of the room while Trish's eyes followed me with every step that I took. He had been reluctant to come to London even after I had explained that Warren might have had manipulated me into letting him go. He had caved when I had told him that if he didn't accompany me, he would never see my face again.

"What do we know about these friends of his? How close are they?" I paused behind Lily's chair, putting my hands on the back as I leaned forward to look at the screen.