“Just be careful, Harper. She was here earlier, talking to the manager. She looked furious.”

“I’ll be fine, Elise. Go back to the pantry.”

She nodded quickly, set the glass down, and disappeared through the double doors to the kitchen.

I stood alone in the center of the dining room.

The grand piano in the corner sat silent, its black lid closed.

Above me, the crystal chandelier caught the weak morning light filtering through the high front windows.

I heard the heavy front doors click open.

The sound of expensive leather boots echoed on the hardwood floor.

I turned slowly.

Seraphina Romano walked into the dining room.

She wore a tailored black coat with a fur collar, and her dark hair was pinned back perfectly.

Behind her stood two men in dark suits.

They remained by the door, their hands crossed in front of them.

Seraphina walked directly toward me, her eyes locked on mine.

She did not smile.

She stopped a few feet away, smelling of expensive French perfume and cold rain.

She looked me up and down with cold, calculating eyes.