Page 15 of The Player

“I… I had a nightmare,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “About my parents… and Royce.”

Seth nodded, his expression understanding. “I figured as much. You were calling out in your sleep.”

Hope bit her lip, the taste of salt still lingering on her tongue. “It’s stupid,” she said, her voice filled with self-reproach. “I should be over it by now.”

“It’s not stupid,” Seth replied firmly. “You went through something terrible, and that kind of pain doesn’t just go away. It stays with you, even when you think you’ve buried it deep.”

Hope looked down, her fingers toying with the edge of the blanket. “I’ve tried to forget,” she said softly. “But it’s always there, just waiting to drag me back.”

Seth’s hand moved to cup her cheek, his touch gentle, grounding. “You don’t have to face it alone,” he said quietly. “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Hope felt a lump rise in her throat, the raw vulnerability of the moment nearly overwhelming her. She had always been so careful to keep people at a distance, to protect herself from getting hurt. But with Seth, it was different. He wasn’t just offering her comfort—he was offering her a connection, a chance to share her burdens, to let someone else carry some of the weight.

For a long moment, she just looked at him, her heart aching with the complexity of her feelings. She was scared—scared of letting him in, scared of the possibility that he might see the darkness inside her and turn away. But she was also drawn to him, to the warmth and understanding he offered, to the promise that she didn’t have to face her demons alone.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Why are you being so… nice?”

Seth’s eyes softened, his thumb brushing away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. “Because I care about you, Hope,” he said simply. “I know you’re strong, but you don’t have to be strong all the time. Sometimes it’s okay to let someone else be strong for you.”

Hope closed her eyes, a fresh wave of tears threatening to spill over. “I don’t know if I can do that again,” she whispered. “I’ve spent so long rebuilding these walls after Royce and I split up, trying to keep everyone out…”

Seth’s hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her closer until their foreheads were touching. “I know,” he murmured. “But maybe it’s time to start letting those walls come down.”

Hope’s breath hitched, the vulnerability of the moment wrapping around her like a shroud. She was on the edge, teetering between the safety of her walls and the terrifying possibility of letting them crumble. But in Seth’s arms, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time—hope. The hope that maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to carry the burden alone.

“I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice barely audible. “I’m so scared that if I let you in, I’ll get hurt again.”

Seth’s lips brushed against her forehead, a tender, reassuring touch. “I won’t hurt you,” he promised. “I’m not going anywhere, Hope. I’m here for as long as you’ll let me be. No longer than that, just as long as you need me.”

Hope let out a shaky breath, her hands clutching his shirt as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. She wanted to believe him, wanted to let herself trust him, but the fear was still there, lurking in the shadows.

But as she looked into his eyes, saw sincerity and his quiet determination, she felt something inside her shift. Maybe it was time to stop running, to stop hiding from the pain and the fear. Maybe it was time to take a risk, to let herself believe that she deserved something more, something real.

With a trembling hand, Hope reached up and cupped Seth’s cheek, her thumb brushing against the rough stubble on his jaw. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability.

Seth’s hand covered hers, his fingers warm and steady. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said softly. “Just let me be here for you.”

Hope nodded, her heart aching with the intensity of her emotions. For the first time in a long while, she felt the walls around her heart start to crack, the weight of her past slowly beginning to lift.

And as Seth held her, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of her emotions, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she was ready to start letting those walls come down.

Even if it meant risking everything.

CHAPTER 7

SETH

Seth adjusted the collar of his tailored suit as he guided Hope through the narrow, dimly lit alleyway. The raincoat she wore concealed her daring outfit, but even with the coat on, the sight of her in stilettos and the way her hair was elegantly swept up had every nerve in Seth's body on high alert. He could sense her tension, though she hid it well behind a calm, poised exterior. This wasn’t Baker Street—this was something much darker, a place where shadows whispered secrets and danger lurked in every corner.

The alley was nearly deserted, the rain-slicked cobblestones reflecting the dim light from the scattered streetlamps. At the end of the alley stood a single, nondescript door, nearly invisible against the brick wall. There was no sign, no indication that this was anything more than a forgotten service entrance, but Seth knew better. This was the entrance to an exclusive world, hidden deep beneath the surface of the city—a world where power, desire, and danger intertwined in ways most people could never imagine.

Seth knocked twice, the sound echoing in the silence of the night. For a moment, there was nothing but the distant hum of the city and the soft patter of rain. Then, with a faint click, the door creaked open, revealing a statuesque woman with auburn hair elegantly pinned up. She was dressed in a long, black evening gown that hugged her curves, her piercing green eyes appraising them with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

“Good evening,” the woman said, her voice smooth as silk. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. Conway. Welcome to the Citadel.”

“Thank you,” Seth replied, his voice steady, though his pulse quickened as he stepped inside, Hope at his side.

“I’m Gwendolyn,” the woman continued, her gaze sliding to Hope with a knowing smile. “You can leave your coat with me, Mrs. Conway.”

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