Chapter 4
But now, Seren could finally see things clearly-there was no future for this relationship.
If three years had led nowhere, then thirty years wouldn’t change a thing p>
So she chose the second path: leaving Sheridan behind.
There just wasn’t enough room for a third person in a relationship. Rather than watch Sheridan and Willa remain entangled in their messy, never-ending drama, it was better to cut her losses and walk away now, before things got any worse.
She’d made up her mind. After packing her bags, Seren wheeled her suitcase out of The Golden Age.
It was well past midnight. The house was silent; the staff had all gone to bed, so no one tried to stop her-or even noticed she was leaving.
The Golden Age sat nestled in the wealthy southern suburbs of Riverbend City, where every resident had their own driver. Cabs never came out here, day or night.
And tonight, it was even worse. One in the morning. The hour was too late and the place too remote. Even after tipping extra on the ride app, no drivers accepted her request.
Seren’s heart sank. Downtown was a full four miles away-not an impossible distance, but the isolation was the real problem. The country roads were pitch- black, and for a woman alone at night, it was simply too dangerous.
But she refused to go back inside.
The dead of night was the best time to disappear.
As she hesitated on the curb, a pair of yellow headlights rounded the corner behind her, casting a sudden bright glow across the deserted road.
Seren turned.
A jet-black Bentley glided into view, moving slowly out of the shadows.
Almost without thinking, Seren stepped into the road and raised her hand.
“Excuse me could you give me a ride? It’s so late, and I can’t get a car out here p>
She knew it was a bold move, flagging down a stranger, but she was out of options. If she didn’t leave now, she’d only invite more trouble she didn’t want.
And Seren hated trouble.
The car rolled to a stop in front of her.
“Get in,” came a calm, deep voice from within-a man’s voice, low and resonant, the kind that turned heads.
Seren wasn’t normally the type to be swayed by someone’s voice, but this one was undeniably pleasant-almost magnetic.
Before she could thank him, the trunk opened with a quiet whir. She stowed her suitcase, then slid into the back seat.
Only then did she realize she wasn’t alone. Another man sat beside her.
Their eyes met. Seren froze for a moment.
He was crazy handsome, with those
sharp features and deep, intense eyes. He had this calm, almost distant look, his lips pressed together in a way that gave nothing away Dressed all in black he practically melted into the shadows, giving off this cool, royal vibe that made him seem totally out of reach.
He had to be the one who’d spoken.
“Thanks for picking me up,” Seren said politely.
The man gave only the briefest nod, face unreadable, gaze turning to the window.
He didn’t say another word.
Outside, the night pressed in-thick and impenetrable.
Sharing the tight space with a stranger made Seren suddenly hyper-aware of her own body. Her hands felt clumsy and she couldn’t find a natural way to sit.
Just then, the car took a sharp turn. Seren lost her balance and nearly slammed into the door.
The man beside her reacted instantly, reaching out to steady her.
But the car’s momentum was too much-Seren tumbled right into his arms.
It all happened so fast. When she
finally caught her breath, she realized her nose was pressed
against his chest, and all she could
smell was
the deep woody cologne,
that clung to him.
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