Claire's POV

He peeled off the wall, one boot scraping grit across the floor. With every step, he let the dagger dip lower, pointing straight at the swell of my belly.

He wanted me to watch it come. He wanted the fear to eat me alive before the blade even touched my skin.

I backed up until the bedframe hit my calves. End of the line.

Elara slipped between us. She angled her body, keeping her hands low, trying to look brave. She failed.

"You should see your face." Chase's mouth twisted into a smirk. "All that cleverness. You and my uncle, so sure of yourselves."

He raised the dagger....