Page 95 of Ruthless God

Where did the body go? And how long has it been missing?

The questions claw at me, but I push them aside as we step inside the house.

Agnes takes control, directing the men to carry Claudius up the stairs to his room. I follow closely, my pulse pounding, my mind still tangled in a loop of uncertainty.

I’ve never been to this part of the house before, not that it means much. I’ve only seen four rooms, tops.

But this wing?

It feels different.

Darker. Colder.

The walls seem to swallow the light, the air carrying a weight that settles heavy in my chest.

Agnes pushes open a door—one that looks similar to mine—before stepping aside so the men can enter. I trail after them, my gaze sweeping the space as they lay Claudius on the massive bed.

The first thing that strikes me is the bed itself.

A solid oak frame, thick and imposing, its red velvet canopy and curtains draped like something out of the 1500s. The rich fabric sways slightly as the men step back, their job done.

Everything in the room matches. Dark wood, deep reds, heavy furniture that feels ancient, weighted with history. It’snot just a bedroom. It’s a statement. A relic. A throne. And somehow, it suits him.

Agnes folds her hands neatly in front of her, her voice smooth, composed. “Thank you, gentlemen. You will be compensated for your time. The helicopter will arrive soon to take you home.”

The men murmur their thanks, clearly eager to be anywhere but here. They don’t linger, their footsteps fading quickly down the hall.

The moment they’re gone, Agnes turns to me.

“You may return to your room.”

I don’t move. “I don’t think so.”

One perfectly arched eyebrow lifts. “Are we going to have a problem?”

I meet her stare, refusing to back down.

“No, but you will when Claudius wakes up and realizes what you did to him.” I cross my arms, my stance firm. “I’m not leaving his side until he’s awake.”

A slow, knowing smile tugs at her lips.

“Dearie,” she says softly, almost pitying. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with. But I suppose you’ll find out soon enough.”

She doesn’t wait for a response. She simply turns and pulls the door shut behind her. A quiet click echoes through the room.

I exhale slowly, the weight of her words settling over me like a storm cloud. What the hell did she mean by that? And more importantly… What exactly am I about to find out?

Needing to move, to do something, I decide to explore his room.

A set of tall doors catches my eye, leading out to a balcony. I push them open, stepping outside, and immediately exhale as the cool air brushes against my skin. The sky is streaked withdeep purples and soft oranges, the last remnants of daylight fading into the horizon. I can’t believe it’s nearly dusk.

The day has flown by, but not in a good way. It hasn’t been a blur of routine or forgettable moments. No, it’s disappeared beneath the weight of all the strange, unsettling things happening around this estate. With a last glance at the darkening sky, I step back inside.

My eyes flick to Claudius, still unmoving on the massive bed, his breathing steady.

I hesitate, then drift toward one of the closed doors. I push it open and step inside his closet. The air is thick with his scent, woodsy, clean, undeniably masculine with a hint of the cigars he likes to smoke. It wraps around me, and for reasons I can’t explain, my stomach tightens.

The door next to it opens into another closet to find it’s empty. The space is untouched, as if it’s been waiting for someone. As if it’s meant for a spouse. That realization sends a strange, lingering chill through me.

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