Vanessa's POV

"I have to go to my sister… I can't…"

I didn't even finish the sentence.

His gaze locked onto me like a blade.

He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.

Adrian Sterling never needed to.

Those dark eyes were enough. Watchful. Calculating. Like they could take you apart piece by piece without ever touching you.

"You're going to leave me alone while I'm injured?" he asked calmly, and it sent a chill down my spine. "You're full of contradictions, Vanessa. Besides… I