When Nix descended the stairs, Liam felt it before he saw him. The room's air seemed to tighten, and every hair on his arms prickled. Nix still wore that deadpan expression, the one that made men reconsider their life choices. Before Liam could find his voice, two other men crossed from the far side of the dining room and took seats opposite Nix and Luna, their movements casual but deliberate.
"Seems we have a guest," Xavier said with a nearly invisible smirk, his eyes narrowing as they found Liam.
"You're Elisa's brother, aren't you? What are you doing here?" Tom asked bluntly, but Liam only managed a thin, nervous smile instead of an answer.
"Nobody forgets their manners," Nix said, his voice crisp and authoritative. The dining room fell completely silent; even the clatter of silverware paused as the maids, sensing the charge in the air, moved quietly to serve.
