Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 512

Sylvia bumped right into Rupert's shoulder.

The bar was dim, shadows flickering off the bourbon bottles, but she could feel his eyes on her-heavy, dark, and intent.

There was something brewing behind that cool, black gaze of his. He swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing, voice gravelly as he finally spoke. "What are you so afraid of?"

His tone was low, restrained, like he was holding something back.

Sylvia ducked her head for a moment, then met his stare head-on. "Isn't this how anyone would act around their, you know, elders?"

Rupert's sharp eyes never left her, scanning every twitch of her expression, the air thick with tension.

But Sylvia just looked back at him, puzzled, calm as you please.

He let out a cold, almost mocking laugh under his breath, but there was something else tangled in it-something she couldn't quite name.

Still holding her firmly, Rupert's face stayed unreadable. "I helped you out. Don't you think you owe me a little something in return, hmm?"

Sylvia glanced at the woman lingering beside him and nodded, understanding.

"Sure thing, Uncle Rupert," she shot back, breezy and unfazed, like she'd help out any guy who asked the same.

Rupert's eyes darkened, grip tightening around her wrist.

"Ow," Sylvia hissed quietly. "Uncle Rupert, could you loosen up a bit? Kinda hard to help you like this."

"So eager?" He arched a brow.

we're even,

Fine by

something almost furious beneath the surface. He pulled Sylvia closer, his hand splayed possessively at her

looked down, features shadowed and distant, but his grip

This is enough. Unless you want

Sylvia cut in, not struggling one bit. She even shot

anger, but

Sylvia's easy compliance—because only someone

would-be client, who'd

to flirt his way

graces, caught

veľ

thunderous expression and made a

sent over tomorrow. Sorry, didn't

Rupert replied, cold as

as the coast was clear,

sorted. I'll get

take you home," Rupert

"No need. I'll

headed for the elevator. Sylvia didn't push it, trailing after

raised his eyebrows. "Sylvia,

smiled, eyes

dinner

Me Sanford. He

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