The next evening, Marrakech turned molten under the setting sun. The streets shimmered with heat, and the air was thick with the scent of roasting lamb and orange blossoms.
Ethan and Vanessa were in the riad's private garden when the wrought-iron gate creaked open. A woman stepped in, dressed entirely in flowing white. Her hair—golden, almost luminous—caught the last light of day.
Caroline.
Vanessa rose instantly, her pulse thudding. "You?"
Caroline's smile was the kind that didn't reach her eyes. "I heard you were looking for me." She glanced at Ethan—measuring him—and then at Elise, who had silently joined them from the balcony. "Looks like the family reunion is complete."
---
The tension was a living thing. Elise's gaze flicked to Caroline. "You should have stayed in Tangier."
"And miss this?" Caroline said lightly. "You forget, Vanessa and I have… history."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What kind of history?"
Neither answered.
Instead, Caroline stepped closer to Vanessa, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face with a familiarity that made Ethan's blood boil. "I see you've upgraded your taste," Caroline murmured, flicking her eyes toward him.
---
Later, in their suite, Ethan confronted Vanessa.
"She's dangerous. She looks at you like you're… hers."
Vanessa's voice was low, defensive. "It's complicated. Caroline isn't who you think she is."
Ethan moved closer, his voice rough. "Then tell me who she is before she gets us both killed."
But Vanessa didn't answer. Instead, she kissed him—hard, desperate—like the world outside that door could wait. And for a little while, it did.
Because neither of them knew that down in the courtyard, Elise and Caroline were already making plans. Plans that didn't end well for any of them.