Page 15 of Light in Your Eyes

I don't know what to say to him. The circumstances make it difficult to say no, but I also find it impossible to say that I'm going to like this job.

Cole seems to notice my fear and doubt. He places his palm on my shoulder to comfort me. "I know that you may not find this job easy, but please stay close to Kellan. The two of you need each other here. It's what keeps you both safe if something bad happens."

Before I can ask him what that means, Cole strides toward the car, and in a matter of seconds, he's gone. I can only watch with my mouth agape as the car leaves the property through the gate.

"Hey, new girl."

The harsh tone startles me, causing me to turn around abruptly. The guy who just finished checking my suitcase motions with his finger to come closer to him.

I swallow. Every step I'm taking to erase the distance between us feels like forever. I'm not used to people carrying guns, especially when they're not dressed in security uniforms —and when they can point the guns at me without hesitation.

"Your phone." He almost rolls his eyes, as though I'm stupid.

And yes, maybe I am. I don't understand him at all. I can only gawk at him with a blank expression.

"My phone?"

He scoffs. "Yes, your damn phone."

Instinctively, I grip the small sling bag I'm wearing, in which I have my phone. A sense of protectiveness hits me.

Why would he ask for my phone? What is he going todo with it?

Without warning, he storms in my direction. "Do you prefer being inspected? Or do you want to hand it yourself?"

I step back in fear. The need to protect myself screams at me, so I take out my phone. My hand is shaking as I give it to him.

He snatches my phone, flips it around, and cracks open the casing to take out the battery. Then he examines my phone thoroughly, as though there would be a tracker attached to it.

"Give it back." It's surprising that I still dare order him.

Apparently, it's a bad idea. The other guy who bowed to Cole earlier pushes my back with his gun, causing my body to jerk forward. My heart almost stops.

"Just get inside and stop bitching around." He pushes the barrel against my back again to make me walk faster. Now that Cole is out of sight, he doesn't think twice about treating me harshly. "Don't even think about breaking the rules."

What is he talking about? Is there some kind of rules here I have to follow?

How will I contact Archer and Nana if I don't have my phone with me?

"But, my phone—" I don't even have time to finish my complaint because the guy pushes me through the door and shuts it.

Then, what's happening inside the mansion shocks me. I'm petrified, like a statue.

Here, it's totally different from the outside.

Here, it's loud and filled with so many people—nowonder they have a dozen cars out there.

I didn't expect that I would be walking into a party—a freaking party where people are drinking and dancing, lost in their own world. Deep thumping music rings in my ears while my eyes are scanning the place.

I'm greeted by an enormous area with a high ceiling that makes me feel like I just stepped into a ballroom, but it's nothing like that in a fairytale. The interiors and furniture are all dark, I feel like I was just shoved into an ancient castle.

Two spiral staircases stand on each side of the hall, and when I look up, it only confirms my thought of how majestic this place is. There are corridors on the second floor, leading to more rooms and more parts of the house.

When my gaze darts back to where I'm standing, all I can see are people. And more people. They're talking. Laughing. Making out. Kissing. Bodies are moving in sync with the music beat.

There's only one thing surfacing in my head:I don't belong here. What the hell am I doing in this place?

I hear a boisterous laugh somewhere in the distance, and then someone bumps me in the shoulder quite hard.