Page 2

Mel

My heart slammed against my ribs as I bolted in the direction of the scream. I rounded the corner into the kitchen, too fast on these damned heels Nova insisted I wear, and slid hard into the rolling serving cart parked just inside the door.

I ignored the pain that blasted up my arm as it took the worst of the impact. Was Nova hurt? Had she seen someone? Was there still?—

Nova stood barefoot in the middle of the kitchen, wrapped in a damp towel, holding her phone’s flashlight out like she was recording a live unboxing video. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open in sheer delight.

I barely registered the rest of the room before she clapped a hand over her mouth and squealed. “Oh my God, Mel. Look!”

I followed the direction of her light. A bouquet of dead roses sat on the kitchen table, the wilted petals curling, their darkened stems tied with a single black ribbon. Dread pooled in my stomach as I took in the rest of the kitchen and saw that the side door was open. I shivered at the cold night air that stirred the curtains above the sink.

Someone had been in the house.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my pulse still hammering. “Nova?—”

She grabbed my arm, practically vibrating with excitement. “I have a superfan! Look at this. A dozen black roses, surrounding a single red one. It’s so artistic. So moody.”

I stared at her, barely able to process the words. Those weren’t black roses, they were dead ones. “Are you kidding me?”

Her grin widened. “It’s so mysterious.”

I shook my head in disbelief. It wasn’t mysterious. It was sick. Not to mention, it was a violation of our safety, our privacy, our home.

And that someone could still be here.

I grabbed the biggest kitchen knife I could find, raised my flashlight, and began moving quickly toward the pantry. I yanked open the door, scanning the dark corners where someone could hide. Empty. I darted to the breakfast nook, checking behind the curtains, then moved into the hallway, my pulse a thunder in my ears.

“What are you doing?” Nova called after me.

I ignored her; she’d be useless if someone were here anyway. Knife shaking in my hand, I checked the coat closet, then the half bath. I peered around the corner into the formal living room, straining my ears for any sound, any movement, any sign we weren’t alone. The house was too damned big, with too many places to hide.

But there were only so many places someone could be if Nova came from one direction and I’d come from the other.

“Mel!” Nova’s voice was impatient now.

I returned to the kitchen, breathing hard. “Whoever left those could still be in the house.”

I moved toward the open door, my breathing shallow. The night air was cool against my skin as I cautiously peered outside, scanning the darkened patio and yard beyond. The motion-sensor lights hadn’t triggered, which struck me as odd. Nothing moved in the shadows. No footprints on the patio. No sign of whoever had been here.

Using my sleeve to cover my fingertips, I carefully pushed the door closed, touching the knob as little as possible. If there were fingerprints, I didn’t want to disturb them.

“What are you doing?” Nova asked, watching me with amused curiosity.

“Calling Ron.” I pulled out my phone, dialing the guardhouse with trembling fingers. “Someone was just in our house, Nova.”

“You’re overreacting,” she singsonged, still admiring the flowers.

The phone rang twice before a gruff voice answered. “Rivers residence, Ron speaking.”

“Ron, it’s Mel. Someone’s been in the house, but I think they’re gone now.” My voice was steadier than I felt. “The power’s out, and there was someone in the kitchen. They left…something for Nova.”

“Jesus Christ.” I heard shuffling, keys jingling. “You girls all right? I’m on my way right now.”

“We’re fine, but I need you to check the grounds. Make sure they’re gone.”

“I’m coming, Miss Mel. Two minutes.” The line went dead.

I turned back to Nova, who was circling the kitchen table, seemingly unconcerned. “Nova, this is serious.”

She waved a dismissive hand, still staring at the dead bouquet like it was a rare piece of art. “You don’t know that. Maybe they were dropped off earlier and someone forgot to tell me.”

I pointed at the door I’d just closed. “Then why was that open? And why are the roses dead? ”

She gasped, pressing a hand to her chest, but instead of fear, it was theatrical amusement. “Maybe it’s a metaphor! Like, beauty fades or love dies or something super deep.”

I turned my flashlight onto the countertop, heart pounding. A little white card was attached to the dead roses. I snatched it up, flipping it open. The handwriting was small, neat, and chilling.

End your career so someone doesn’t have to end it for you.

My stomach twisted. This was similar to some other threats Nova had gotten, which we hadn’t taken seriously since they were all via text.

There was a second card attached to the single red rose.

Don’t worry, there’s nowhere you can go that I can’t reach you.

I shoved the cards toward her. “Still think it’s romantic?”

Nova skimmed the notes, lips pursing. “It’s dark. But like, in a cool way—metaphorical death, you know?”

I let out a harsh breath, gripping the countertop so hard my knuckles turned white. “Nova, this isn’t a fan letter. This is a threat.”

She rolled her eyes, setting her phone down to reach for the roses, but I stopped her. “Don’t touch anything until the police get here.”

She let out a sigh but left the flowers alone. She turned so she could take a selfie with them. “People say creepy stuff all the time online. You wouldn’t believe my DMs.”

“This isn’t a DM. This is our kitchen.” I gestured around us. “ Our home, Nova. Someone was in here while we were upstairs.”

Heavy footsteps on the front porch interrupted us. The door opened, and Ron burst in, flashlight bobbing wildly, his weathered face tight with concern. Despite being well into his sixties, he moved with surprising speed, his security jacket hastily thrown over what looked like pajamas.

“What’s going on?” he demanded, eyes darting around the foyer. “You two all right?”

“We’re fine, Ron,” I said, crossing to meet him. “Whoever broke in is gone, I think. But they left roses and threatening notes.”

Ron moved past me, sweeping his flashlight around the living room before heading to the kitchen. “Miss Nova,” he greeted her with a nod. “You hurt?”

“I’m fine, Ronnie,” Nova replied with a flutter of her fingers. “Mel’s just overreacting.”

Ron’s bushy eyebrows drew together as he read the note I handed him. “This ain’t good. I’ll go check the breaker again.” He moved to the side door, examining the lock, then disappeared down the hall toward the utility room.

A moment later, the lights flickered back on. The sudden brightness felt jarring, the humming of appliances kicking back to life breaking the eerie silence that had settled over the house. But it didn’t make me feel any better. The damage was already done.

Ron returned, wiping his hands on his pants. “Main circuit breaker was switched off. Affected everything. I’m calling the police. Then I’m doing a full sweep of the grounds.”

Nova frowned at that, finally hesitating. I could almost see the gears turning, but before I could press the point, her face brightened again. “Wait. Should I live stream this?”

I gaped at her. “Are you insane?”

She grabbed her phone. “No, listen. If this is a real stalker situation, going live could help me control the narrative. Imagine the engagement?—”

I shook my head. “Go get dressed. Now.”

Nova pouted. “You’re being so dramatic.”

I turned away before I said something I’d regret, my pulse still hammering. Nova could be upset all she wanted, but this was serious. Someone had gotten past the security gate, into the house, and left a threat right in our kitchen.

It could’ve been much, much worse. How Nova couldn’t see that I had no idea.

Ron was already on the phone with the police, his voice low and urgent. At least someone was taking this seriously.

I’d barely gotten my heart rate anywhere near under control before the police arrived.

I opened the door, letting in two men. One was a uniformed officer, young and immediately starstruck as he took in the surroundings, obviously having heard this was Nova Rivers’s place. The other, a plainclothes detective with salt-and-pepper hair and shrewd eyes that missed nothing as they swept over the pristine luxury of Nova’s estate.

“I’m Detective Corey Hollis,” the older man said, flashing his badge. “Dallas PD. This is Officer Jensen. We got a call about an intruder?”

“Yes. I’m Mel Rivers. My sister, Nova?—”

“Nova Rivers, right?” Officer Jensen interrupted, blinking.

I stifled a sigh. “Yes. That Nova Rivers.”

Detective Hollis shot his partner a look that immediately silenced him. “Tell me what happened, Ms. Rivers.”

Before I could explain further, movement at the top of the stairs caught my eye. Nova had changed into a silk robe, her damp hair twisted into an effortless bun, and—of course—her phone was propped up in front of her, live streaming.

“Oh, look! The police have arrived!” she said, voice dripping with excitement. “Hey, guys. Say hi to the fans. ”

Officer Jensen muttered something under his breath.

I clenched my jaw. “Nova, stop.”

She ignored me, turning the camera on herself. “We think there was an intruder. I mean, it could’ve just been a dedicated admirer, but Mel, my lovely sister and dear manager, is freaking out.”

Detective Hollis cleared his throat. “Ms. Rivers, I’m going to need you to stop recording. This is an active investigation.”

His tone brooked no argument, and something in his expression must have gotten through to Nova because she actually lowered her phone, looking slightly chastened.

“Fine,” she huffed. “But you’re killing my content calendar. Toodles, everyone. Back later.” She wiggled her fingers at the camera.

I stepped forward, placing myself between Nova and the officers before I lost what little patience I had left.

“Someone got into the house while we were upstairs,” I told Detective Hollis. Officer Jensen was still making gaga eyes over Nova. “The power was cut, and when Nova came downstairs, we found roses and threatening notes on the kitchen counter. The side door was open.”

Detective Hollis’s expression sharpened. “Show me.”

I led him to the kitchen, Nova trailing behind us with Officer Jensen, who looked like he couldn’t decide if he should be taking notes or asking for an autograph.

Detective Hollis examined the roses, then carefully picked up the notes with a gloved hand. His eyes narrowed as he read them.

“Have there been other incidents?” he asked, looking directly at me rather than Nova.

“Not like this,” I admitted. “Some weird fan email and messages, but nothing that crossed this line.”

Nova piped up from behind me. “I get marriage proposals every day. And people who want to drink my bathwater. ”

Detective Hollis’s face remained impassive. “What about the security system?”

“We have a guard at the gate at night, and there’s a camera up there.” I gestured to Ron, who was standing near the door. “And normally, more people here. But Nova sent most of the staff and her entourage home this evening.”

“Do you have an alarm system?”

“Yes, but a lot of times, we don’t turn it on.” But damn it, it would be from now on.

“Cameras here at the house?”

I shook my head. “No. Nova feels like they’re too invasive.”

“Everybody feels that way until someone breaks in.” Hollis ran a hand along the doorframe. “No signs of forced entry. This was probably someone aware of Nova’s habits and had been waiting for his chance.”

A chill ran down my spine at his words. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling exposed in my own home.

“All right,” Detective Hollis said, straightening up. “We’ll dust for prints and check the security footage. Officer Jensen will take your statements.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “In the meantime, you need better security.”

I took the card, frowning slightly. “We already have security. We have Ron. He’s like family.”

“Family is not enough. Not with something like this,” he said bluntly. “I’d suggest Citadel Solutions. They know how to handle high-profile cases like yours.”

“Ethan Cross heads it up,” he added. “He’s former military, knows what he’s doing. His team can provide comprehensive protection while we investigate.”

The mention of military sparked Nova’s interest. “Is he hot? Because I could totally work with a hot bodyguard scenario for my social?—”

“Nova,” I cut her off, shooting her a look.

Detective Hollis’s lips twitched, but his eyes remained serious. “ I know Cross personally. He’s the best in the business. He doesn’t mess around. And yeah, I’m sure ladies would say he’s easy on the eyes.”

More security. More complications. More stress. One more thing to keep up with.

I ran a hand through my hair, already exhausted. “Okay.”

“Considering the nature of this threat, I’d recommend bringing them in as soon as possible.”

The certainty in his voice made my stomach twist. This wasn’t just a one-time incident. This was the beginning of something much worse.