Page 130 of His Ruthless Match

I took out my phone to double-check Genevieve’s wards. Nothing out of the norm. Good. We didn’t need any more trouble tonight.

The Shadow’sstudy always had an air of menace about it, from the intricately carved desk that screamed power to the low, ambient lighting that made even the air feel heavier. I carried the suitcase like it was nothing more than a gym bag. The Shadow’s sharp, calculating eyes immediately locked onto it.

“What’s this?” he asked, leaning back in his high-backed chair. His voice was smooth, laced with that quiet authority he wielded like a weapon.

“You’re about to find out,” I said, striding to the center of the room. Without ceremony, I unzipped the suitcase and tipped itover. The grotesque, misshapen carcass spilled onto the polished floor with a sickening squelch.

The stench hit immediately, sour and metallic, like rotting meat left too long in the sun. The Shadow winced and pinched his nose as he leaned forward. “Gods, Jareth. A little warning would’ve been nice.”

Behind me, Eva gagged audibly, one hand flying to cover her mouth as she stepped back. “Are you serious right now? What even is that? That’s not what he—it—looked like in my apartment.”

I folded my arms, keeping my expression neutral as The Shadow rose from his chair and looked at the thing’s elongated limbs, unnaturally sharp claws, and twisted features that glistened under the study’s low lighting. Its skin had a pallor that wasn’t just lifeless—it was wrong, like it had never belonged to anything living in the first place.

The Shadow knelt beside the corpse, his expression darkening as he examined it. “Another Crimson Dominion mutant.”

“Figured as much. It was on her balcony.”

“It’s not like it was just hanging out, looking at the scenery,” Eva exclaimed, her voice pitching higher. She shot me a glare, her dark eyes sparking with anger. “It had a crowbar and broke in. It wanted to kill me.”

The Shadow waved a hand toward the doorway, and his guards entered the room, their footsteps echoing in the heavy silence. Their expressions shifted the moment they saw the body, curiosity mingling with disgust.

“Take a good look,” The Shadow ordered, stepping back. “You won’t see these things in our territory. And pray you never meet one alive.”

One of the guards crouched beside the carcass, inspecting the sharp claws and warped face. “It’s Crimson Dominion work, boss. Definitely one of their experiments.”

The Shadow nodded grimly. “Dispose of it. Burn the remains. I want nothing left of this thing.”

The guards obeyed swiftly, lifting the body with care to avoid letting any fluids drip onto the immaculate floor. As they exited, Vivian strode in, her heels clicking sharply against the marble.

She stopped short, her nose wrinkling as she took in the scene. “What the fuck is happening now? What is that smell?”

Without missing a beat, she crossed the room, her eyes narrowing as she zeroed in on Eva and pulled her into a hug. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”

Eva leaned into Vivian’s touch slightly, her shoulders slumping. “Oh, you know, just another day in paradise. Some mutant assassin tried to murder me. No big deal.”

Vivian’s eyebrows shot up, but she quickly masked her surprise, turning to me with a raised brow. “Details?”

I filled her in quickly, keeping my tone clipped but clear. When I finished, Vivian’s sharp gaze swung back to Eva.

“You can’t go back to the human world,” Vivian said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. “Not right now. It’s way too dangerous.”

The Shadow nodded in agreement, his tone authoritative. “Vivian’s right. You’re a target. Whoever is behind this isn’t going to stop, and the human world isn’t safe for you anymore.”

Eva threw her hands up. “So what, I just hide out here forever? That’s your grand solution?”

“You’ll move in here,” The Shadow said, his tone leaving no room for debate. “This estate is warded and protected. No one gets in without my say-so.”

Eva’s jaw dropped, and she stared at him like he’d just suggested she move to the moon. “Move in here? With you two?No offense, but that sounds like a nightmare. You’re newlyweds! I’d feel like I was invading your honeymoon palace.” She put her hands on her hips. “And furthermore, wasn’t my apartment warded? Byyou? What makes you so sure I’ll be safer here?”

I stepped forward before the conversation could devolve further. “She can stay with me.”

Both Eva and The Shadow turned to me, their surprise palpable. I kept my expression calm, shrugging as if this was the most logical solution in the world.

“My place is on the estate,” I explained. “It’s just as secure. Plus, I’ll be right there to make sure nothing happens to her.”

Eva blinked, clearly caught off guard. “You’d… be okay with that?”

I met her gaze evenly, though my heart pounded harder than I cared to admit. “It makes the most sense.”