The dining room was a cavern of mahogany and gold, silent as a tomb.
Alex stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the sprawling, manicured gardens of the Vanderbilt estate. But he wasn't admiring the view.
He was listening.
He extended his senses, pushing his awareness out through the walls, sweeping through the corridors and the servant's quarters.
Nothing.
Silence.
The villa was empty.
No guards patrolling the perimeter. No maids bustling in the kitchen. No chauffeur waiting by the garage.
A slow, dark smile curled Alex's lips.
They had cleared the house.
Vivienne had sent everyone away. She wanted absolute privacy for this little charade, likely to protect her reputation... or perhaps to hide the fact that she was currently playing a submissive assistant to her own employee.
Perfect.
It made things so much simpler. No witnesses. No interruptions. No one to hear them scream... or beg.
