Chapter-4

Raine sat by the window, staring out at the massive garden that stretched behind the mansion. The flowers were perfect, the grass was perfectly cut, but it didn’t feel real. Nothing in this house felt real. It was too perfect, too quiet, and far too dangerous.

She didn’t know how long she’d been in the room. Hours? A day? She was losing track. Every sound in the hallway made her flinch, and every time the door opened, her heart raced. She was scared to death of what Damon Voss might want from her.

A knock on the door startled her. Before she could respond, the door opened, and a woman stepped in. She was tall, dressed in black, with sharp features and colder eyes.

“Get up,” the woman said. “The boss has a task for you.”

Raine’s stomach twisted. “What task?”

“You’ll find out soon enough. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Raine followed the woman down the long hallway. The air in the mansion felt heavier with every step. She could hear her own breathing, loud and shaky. Her palms were sweating, and she couldn’t stop the knot forming in her chest.

She was scared to death.

The woman led her into a different room this time. It was large, with dark wooden furniture and shelves lined with books. Damon Voss was there, sitting in an armchair, his gaze fixed on her as she entered.

“Miss Bennett,” he said, his voice calm as always. “Sit.”

Raine sat on the edge of the chair, her back straight, her hands clenched together in her lap.

“You’ll start working for me today,” Damon said, leaning back. His blue eyes pierced right through her.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked, her voice trembling.

He smirked, and it wasn’t a kind smile. “Something simple. You’ll deliver a package for me.”

Raine frowned. “A package?”

“Yes,” Damon said. “It’s a small task, but it will show me if you can follow orders.”

“What’s in the package?” she asked, even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Damon’s expression darkened slightly. “That’s none of your concern. All you need to do is deliver it. Nothing more.”

She bit her lip. This was it—the first step in whatever he planned for her. She didn’t want to do it, but she didn’t have a choice.

“Where do I take it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damon handed her a small black box, tied with a red ribbon. It was heavier than it looked.

“There’s a man waiting at a café in the city. He’ll approach you, and you’ll give this to him. That’s it. No questions, no mistakes,” Damon said, his voice sharp and commanding.

Raine hesitated. “And if I don’t?”

Damon’s eyes narrowed, and his tone turned ice-cold. “You don’t want to test me, Miss Bennett. Do as I say, or you’ll regret it.”

She was scared to death, but she nodded. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Good,” he said, his smirk returning. “You leave now.”

The woman from before escorted her outside. A sleek black car was waiting for her, and she was ushered inside without a word.

The drive to the city felt endless. Raine clutched the box tightly, her mind racing. What was in it? Why was it so important? And what would happen if she failed?

The car stopped in front of a small café. “Go inside,” the driver said.

Raine stepped out, her legs trembling. The café was busy, filled with people talking and laughing. It felt normal, but she wasn’t. Her world wasn’t normal anymore.

She stood by the counter, clutching the box like it was her lifeline. Minutes passed, and then she saw him—a man in a dark coat, his face partially hidden by a hat.

He approached her, his eyes scanning her face. “Do you have it?” he asked in a low voice.

Raine nodded, her throat dry. She handed him the box, her fingers trembling as she let go.

The man gave her a small nod and disappeared out the door. It was over in seconds, but it felt like hours.

The car was waiting for her outside. She climbed in, her hands still shaking. She was scared to death, but she had done it.

When she returned to the mansion, Damon was waiting for her. He looked at her, his expression unreadable.

“Well?” he asked.

“I gave it to him,” she said, her voice small.

Damon studied her for a moment, then gave a single nod. “Good. You’ve passed the first test. Let’s see if you can handle what’s next.”

Raine felt a chill run down her spine. If this was the beginning, she couldn’t imagine what was coming next.

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