The hospital room was quiet except for the steady beep of monitors, and the soft hum of machines keeping watch over Leah.She lay in the bed looking small and fragile in a way Alex had never seen before. Her wrists were bandaged where the ropes had cut into her skin. Dark bruises colored her arms where hands had grabbed her.Alex sat in the chair beside her bed. He'd been there for hours. His body was angled toward her but his posture was stiff and distant. Like he wanted to be close, but couldn't let himself fully commit to it.The police had left an hour ago. They'd taken Leah's statement. Asked their questions. Assured her that Liam and Emilia were locked up tight this time.Leah had answered everything in a flat voice. No emotion. Just facts.Now they were finally alone. And the silence between them felt heavy and uncomfortable.Alex stared at the wall. At the machines. At anything except Leah's face."You should rest," he said quietly.Leah turned her head on the pillow to loo

Alex couldn't sleep.He lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The mansion was too quiet. Too big. Too empty.At 2 AM he gave up.He got dressed and grabbed his keys.Twenty minutes later he parked outside Leah's restaurant. The lights were off but he saw movement inside through the window.He sat in the car for five minutes. Debating.Then he got out.The front door was locked but Leah appeared when he knocked. She wore jeans and an old t-shirt. Her hair was tied back.She unlocked the door. "What are you doing here?""I don't know," Alex said honestly.Leah studied his face. Then she stepped aside. "Come in."The restaurant was dim. Only the kitchen lights were on. Alex followed her back.She had vegetables spread across the counter. A pot simmered on the stove."Couldn't sleep?" she asked."No.""Me neither."She went back to chopping. Alex sat on a stool and watched her."Why are you really here?" Leah asked after a moment.Alex was quiet. Then, "I wanted to see if you were okay.""I'

Take her to the mansion," Alex repeated. "Now."Cole looked like he wanted to argue. But something in Alex's face stopped him."Come on, Miss Leah," Cole said gently.Leah grabbed Alex's arm. "Wait. Don't do anything stupid."Alex looked at her. "I'm just going to talk to him.""You're a terrible liar," Leah said. But she let Cole lead her away.Alex watched them drive off. Then he got back in his car alone.He sat there for a full hour. Breathing. Trying to calm the rage burning in his chest.It didn't work.He started the engine and drove toward his father's estate.Alex didn't drive straight there though.First he made a detour. To Old Man Cole's cottage on the mansion grounds.He needed answers. And Cole had been with the Wilson family for forty years. If anyone knew what was happening, it was him.The cottage was dark except for one light in the living room. Alex pounded on the door.Cole answered in his bathrobe. His eyes widened when he saw Alex's face."Sir? What's wrong?""Di

Emilia stepped out of the back room. She held a gun. "Both Wilson brothers crying about Daddy," she said with a sneer. "Pathetic."Liam turned. "Emilia?""Did you really think the police could hold me?" Emilia laughed. "I arranged your escape, you idiot. Now finish what you started.""What?" Liam looked confused."Kill them both," Emilia ordered. "Then we can finally have the fortune.""But you said we'd be together," Liam whispered."I lied." Emilia raised the gun. "You were always just a means to an end."She fired.Alex dove. The bullet missed him by inches.Liam shoved Leah aside and lunged at Emilia. "You used me!"They crashed into the counter.The gun skittered across the floor.Alex ran for it but Emilia was faster. She grabbed it and aimed at Alex.Liam tackled her from behind.They fought. Brutal and desperate.Alex pulled Leah behind him and untied the staff. "Get out. Now."They ran for the door.Emilia broke free from Liam. She pointed the gun at Alex again."You ruined

Alex came home past midnight.Leah was awake waiting for him. She sat in the living room reading."How was the meeting?" she asked."Fine," Alex lied. "Just business."She looked at him closely. "You sure?""Yeah." He kissed her forehead. "I'm just tired.""Okay," Leah said. But her eyes said she didn't believe him.It was the first real lie Alex had told her.It wouldn't be the last.That night, Alex couldn't sleep.He went to his study at 2 AM. He sat at the computer and searched for everything he could find about The Covenant.There was almost nothing.A few mentions in old newspaper articles. Conspiracy theory websites. Nothing concrete.They were ghosts.Powerful ghosts who owned everything.Alex's phone buzzed at 3 AM.An email. No sender name. He opened it."First assignment. Use Wilson Hotel ballroom for private event. Guest list attached. Saturday night. 8 PM."Alex clicked the attachmentTwenty names. He recognized half of them.A city councilman under investigation for brib