Chapter 4 Lamb To The Lion's Den

POV: Elara

A car horn beeped outside. Both women turned toward the window. A sleek black sedan, polished like obsidian, and humming with quiet power, waited below, driver unreadable in dark shades.

Elara's throat tightened.

June's voice softened. "You nervous?"

Elara fiddled with her sleeve. "A little. It feels... different."

"You'll be fine. You're naive, yes. But charmingly so. And weirdly irresistible in that helpless-lamb-walking-into-the-wolf-den kind of way."

"That's not comforting."

"Take it as a compliment."

Elara rolled her eyes, zipped her suitcase, and took a breath that didn't do much. The air felt heavier now.

June walked her to the door. Just before Elara stepped outside, at the threshold, June grabbed her wrist, firm, and sudden

"Look, babe," she said seriously. "This isn't just another client. Zane Mercer's mind doesn't work like ours. If he starts playing games, don't try to outplay him. Just leave."

"I'm not that stupid."

"No," June whispered. "You're just that soft. And he will see it."

They hugged. Long. Tight. A parting wrapped in worry - full of things they didn't know how to say.

Then Elara stepped into the waiting car, and June watched the black Sedan fade.

Elara's journey into the unknown.