A sly, unapologetic smile curled on her lips as her eyes found mine.

“Gideon,” she purred, her voice sickly sweet and unabashedly bold. “I didn’t realize you were...busy.”

I blinked, the vivid image of Rose standing naked in the doorway dissipating like smoke. My breath hitched as reality snapped back into focus. Rose was fully clothed, she had been all along, her expression neutral. She was holding a small glass vial filled with a curious-looking liquid.

My heart slammed against my ribs as disbelief and fury tangled within me. Beside me, Gideon stiffened, his expression shifting to one of shock and anger.

“Rose, what the hell are you doing here?!”...