Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia knew there was no way she could overpower him. Besides, out in the hallway by the restroom, someone could walk by at any moment.

She didn't want anyone to see.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to appear calm and nodded. "Fine. I'll go

with you."

The man led her into the stairwell.

A cold draft blasted through the wide open window, making Sylvia shiver instinctively.

Rupert, unfazed, shut the window and leaned against the sill, fishing a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

He always did this when he wanted to smoke.

So Sylvia wasn't naïve enough to think he closed the window for her sake.

But the next second, Rupert didn't light up. He just rolled the cigarette between his fingers, eyes dark and unreadable as he stared at her.

"I warned you not to get involved in this," he said, his voice low and sharp.

Sylvia's jaw clenched. Stubbornly, she looked away, refusing to meet his gaze.

late to say that now? Am I supposed to just sit around

sneaking around, taking pictures? Do you have any idea what'll happen

of your

words, Rupert snapped the cigarette in two. Shreds of tobacco fluttered down between

step by step, backing her

was warm against her face, his

his chest, hard, but he didn't budge

barely holding something back. "None of my business? Then whose is it? Lester's? He knows your mom's in the hospital. You trust him that much?" Sylvia froze,

Rupert shot back, his eyes stormy. "What exactly is

stopped avoiding him, meeting his gaze head-on. "Friends. Just friends So what about

thing, but no one one will tell me

Rupert? Care to explain?"

belongs to s

Rupert, don't forget-I got kicked out by the Garcia family. You're not

my Uncle Rupert anymore."

never would've admitted

now and you

right do you have

voice echoed through the stairwell, each word carving

his expression

was rough when he finally spoke. "I never wanted to be your Uncle