At first, it was dry dates, photos, and vague reports. Escort work. Frequent club visits. Nothing illegal, but everything shadowed in sex and power and manipulation.
But the deeper he went, the more things didn't quite fit.
A few redacted reports.
One hospital entry, months ago, marked "forced entry trauma" with no follow-up.
An off-the-record interview with a man named Ben—Aveline's handler. Calculated. Charming. Dangerous.
Stefan's jaw tightened.
The last page was a surveillance photo.
Aveline. Coming out of a club, head down. And behind her, Ben, gripping her arm tightly. Too tightly. Stefan closed the file. And left the mansion without a word.
Now – Outside Aveline's Apartment
The street was dim. Quiet. He could hear the hum of distant traffic, the occasional bark of a dog. But closer… something else.
A voice.
Male.
Muffled, but low. Confident. Familiar.
