The house was empty again in the late afternoon. Victoria had a dinner meeting that would keep her out until well after dark. Jordan’s latest message sat unanswered on Elena’s phone. The stronger bond that had settled after the fight still felt new enough that Elena kept checking it the way she checked the bruises—pressing lightly, confirming it had not faded.

She found Marcus in the study, standing at the window with a glass of whiskey he had not drunk from. He did not turn when she came in. Elena closed the door softly and leaned against it.

For a while neither of them spoke. The quiet between them had...