"Keep whatever you've heard today entirely to yourself," I instructed Luke through gritted teeth as our vehicle pulled into the estate compound. "Pretend you know nothing, even if you are questioned. If you can't keep this to yourself, you'll face the exact same torment you witnessed my mother and me endure."

I maintained cold, unblinking eye contact until he acknowledged my warning with a firm nod.

I opened the car door and stepped out into the courtyard. As we approached the grand entrance of the house, we saw Kendrick walking briskly toward us, flanked by two heavily armed guards.

"Where are you coming from?" Ken demanded, directing his sharp question...