Aiden Knight's POV
Clara's grip on my hand is desperate as she leads me through the villa's hallways. Her fingers tremble against mine, and I can feel her pulse racing through her palm. We move quickly past ornate decorations and family portraits, but I notice how she keeps glancing over her shoulder.
"Clara, slow down." I keep my voice low but firm. "Tell me exactly what's happening."
She doesn't stop walking. Instead, she pulls me toward a staircase leading to the second floor. "Not here. Too many listening devices. My room is the only safe place."
The admission sends a chill through me. If they've bugged the Vance family home, their preparation runs deeper than I initially calculated. But something about Clara's behavior still feels off. Her panic seems genuine, but there's an underlying current I can't identify.
