LOVE AMIDST SHADOWS

und of her phone buzz

eep from her eyes

er: Good morn

with Julian.

heart skip

was

one aside, throwin

om seemed less inti

door broke the s

n entered, carrying

Sophia. I'm Elaine, J

d, taking a c

Sophia ate, Elaine chatte

stay indoors today. He

ded, feelin

red the penthouse, searching f

lipping: "Saint Clair Family Ties to O

lian in

rang. Elaine's voice

a, it's

." Marcus entered the stud

know that your father's cred

's hea

s Julian p

g with them. But if that fails...."

hat

ice dropped

whatever it takes

a shiv

protection w

arcus

a rea

Julian's secrets. Be

determina

eded a

h Julian's study, s

e found a folder labeled "Rossi." Her heart racing, Sophia opened

Her father had been in d

ed her discovery. Elaine enter

s returned. He w

s nerves

o when he found out

ving room, Julian's pi

us," Julian said, his voice

?" Julian's smile

ve my

her, his eyes burni

t trust me. I'll keep you safe." S

rust this ma

Julian's

it, Marcus?" A pause. "Handle it," Julian growled

d to lea

un out of control.

Sophia asked, her vo

pression rem

d a security breach." Soph

ind of b

s eyes n

trying to

of the penthouse,

In the car, Julian's

"What is it?" Julian's gaze locked onto hers. "My family's in

doubts r

activi

ved at a secl

's unea

uld she

ntroduced her to

is is Viktor

." Viktor's rugged

you safe, M

ed into the night, S

er of pro

's thoughts swirled. What h

ke the silence. Viktor e

you to know... he's h

heart skip

situa

Rossis' creditors. The

s world

iety grew as

the feeling that Julia

ruth, Sophia snuck out of he

he dimly lit corrido

d of the hall cau

cke

pounded. What se

lock. The door swung open. Julian s

what are y

s cheeks

answers,

expression

e in

ed a stunning vi

focus remai

ng on?" Soph

d." Sophia's patience wore thin. "Try me." Julian's eye

itators." Sophi

ate?" Julian's voice

s. Sometimes, more."

ctivities?" Julian's

we get thi

. Was she in love w

eeled as Julian'

es that even mean?" Juli

ect peopl

deals

skeptici

u mean ille

oftened. "Not always.

a chill run d

kind of

. we're not picky. As long as it's p

's in it

mile hinted

luence. And

thoughts

ion fro

e answered, his expression darken

ulian growled,

locked ont

d to go

heart skip

hrough the winding corri

Sophia asked, her voice

response

place

sleek black SUV waited. Viktor and Alexei stood gua

grew. "What's h

locked onto the

been com

ng us." Sophia's

Wh

si's creditors. They want yo

Wh

r wavered. "You're

debts... they'

felt t

you pla

pped to a whisper.

creeched

warehouse loomed before them. Ju

ay c

e warehouse, Sophi

ng hand on her bac

as dimly lit, with crate

hemselves strategically. Julia

e," Juli

his." Sophia's

le wh

xpression t

sine

ophia alone. As she paced,

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