Chapter 469
Chapter 469
Chapter 265: The Next Level
Savannah
Sleep never came.
I lay in the room with Roman all night, twisting beneath the sheets, my body restless even when exhaustion pressed heavy behind my
eyes.
Every time I closed them, I felt it–that crawling sensation along my spine, the certainty that someone was watching. Even without the camera, even after Reese and Ramsey had removed it, the feeling refused to leave. As though the walls remembered.
As though eyes still lingered where lenses once were.
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River had whispered before midnight that she could find out the guard’s name through Calder. She said it with the same confidence she used when talking about her routines or the little things she’d observed over time. Still, the idea unsettled me.
Calder Hudson was clearly loyal–maybe fanatically so –to Reginald. Loyalty like that wasn’t something you cracked open easily.
But we didn’t have options.
Reese had insisted we wait until morning. Calder manned the cameras overnight while Randall had dinner, and showing up then would have been stupid. So I lay awake, listening to Roman’s breathing and memorizing it.
When morning finally crept in–soft blue light stretching across the windows–I felt hollowed out.
Reese came early and stayed behind to watch over his brother while River and I slipped away before breakfast. The manor was still half- asleep, its halls quiet except for distant footsteps and the soft whispers of the servants.
We stood in front of Calder Hudson’s door, my heart lodged so high in my throat it was painful. “Should we knock?” I whispered.
River didn’t answer. Instead, she reached out and twisted the handle. It was locked.
Only then did she knock–two sharp raps–followed immediately by a cheerful call. “Mr. Hudson p>
She turned to me casually. “He usually only locks it when he’s showering p>
I stared at her. “ You’ve … been here before? ” I asked slowly.
12:55 Sat, Jan 31
Chapter 469
She nodded. “Lots of times p>
I bit back the response clawing at my tongue. My God. This wasn’t a crush. This was something else entirely.
Before I could process that thought, River knocked again. “If he doesn’t answer, I’ll just check by the plant for his spare key p>
The door opened. And my jaw very nearly hit the floor.
Calder Hudson stood before us in nothing but a towel–one that was barely doing its job. It hung low on his hips, unsecured, clutched tightly in one hand as though he’d grabbed it in a rush. Water clung to his skin, tracing down a broad chest, over defined muscle, disappearing beneath the fabric. His hair was damp, darker than it usually is, droplets sliding down his temples.
He had clearly been in the shower.
The realization made something uncomfortable coil in my stomach.
How closely had River been watching him? Has she been watching him shower?
The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
“Miss River?” he said, confusion flickering across his face. Then his gaze shifted to me. “Madam p>
I had to take a second to gather myself when he spoke. His voice was deep. Steady. The kind that carried authority even when he was standing half–naked in a doorway at dawn.
“Hello,” I managed.
He nodded politely, then looked back at River. “Does the General require me, miss? ”
“No,” River answered far too quickly.
His brows drew together. “Do you need fresh roses, Miss River?” he asked, professional to a fault despite his state of undress,
River didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes were glued to his chest.
“Yes–um. But later. I mean-” she started, already spiraling.
I stepped forward, cutting in before she could dissolve completely. “Mr. Hudson, could we have a word with you p>
He frowned slightly.
“ please. It’s important. ”
the wrong ideas. ”
(7)
12:55 Sat, Jan 31
Chapter 469
I blinked.
The manor grounds were still quiet, the sky was still blue. But I didn’t question it. I thanked him and stepped inside. River followed
instantly.
He shut the door behind us. “My apologies for my appearance. I was showering and thought the knocking meant an emergency p>
“Oh–of course,” I said quickly. “We’re sorry for disturbing you so early p>
He nodded once. “Please excuse me. I’ll be back shortly.” He gestured toward the sofa. “Make yourselves comfortable p>
“Thank you,” River said, dropping onto the cushions immediately.
When Calder disappeared down the hall, I finally exhaled and took a good look around.
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The apartment was … surprisingly warm. Clean. Minimal. It felt lived–in without being indulgent. There were books neatly stacked, shoes
aligned by the door, a faint scent of cedar and soap in the air.
“This is cozy, ” I murmured. “I like it p>
River nodded as she walked around, touching everything. She stopped and pointed toward a framed photograph on the table. “See that p>
I leaned closer. “Who’s that p>
“That’s Calder’s father. ”
I squinted. The man in the photo wore a uniform–decorated, commanding. “He was a general p>
“Yep. Still is.” River said. “Best friends with my father. They go way back.” She smiled softly. “My father saved his life once. Or something
like that. So basically, Calder’s here to repay a debt p>
Something inside me sank.
“Oh,” I said quietly, “That explains it. His loyalty p>
Exactly what I feared.
But before I could say more, a throat cleared behind us. I jumped.
Calder stood there fully dressed now–black shirt, dark trousers, belt fastened neatly. Composed. Controlled. Like the half–naked version of
him had never existed.
Shit, that was really quick. Wait, how long has it been p>
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Chapter 469
“I’m sorry,” I blurted. “I didn’t mean to p>
“It’s fine,” he said calmly. “You needed to speak with me p>
07
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I nodded and pulled my phone from my pocket. My hands trembled slightly as I turned the screen toward him. “I need help identifying
this man p>
The photo loaded. The guard.
Calder barely glanced at it before looking away. “Why?” he asked.
My mouth opened–and closed.
Lie or truth? Which way do I go? Do I tell a lie or tell the truth? I glanced at River for help. She only shrugged. So I told the truth.
“He’s been injecting my fiancé with sedatives,” I said quietly. “I need to know who sent him p>
Calder’s jaw tightened. A flicker of conflict crossed his face. So I took a chance on that moment of weakness.
I stepped closer, the scent of his cologne hitting me immediately. Without thinking, I reached out and touched his hand.
“Please,” I said. “Roman is all my baby and I have. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to him p>
For a split second, he looked at my hand. Then he stepped back, removing it gently but firmly.
He cleared his throat. “You’re too late p>
My heart dropped.
“The General relieved Ezra of his duties.” He continued. “He left the manor yesterday p>
The room went silent.
And I knew–whatever game was being played here–it had just moved to the next level.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.