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.

into this in the first place? Isn't it a little late to say that now? Am I supposed to just sit around and wait to be

is sneaking around, taking pictures? Do you

of your business," Sylvia

snapped the cigarette in two.

step by step, backing her right

breath was warm against her face, his

chest, hard, but he didn't budge an

her down, 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, her anger flaring as she glared at

shot back, his eyes stormy. "What

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

no one one will tell me

Rupert? Care to explain?"

belongs to s

forget-I got kicked out by the Garcia

my Uncle Rupert anymore."

would've

don't now and

tell me what right do you have to

echoed through the stairwell, each word carving out the

eyes narrowed, his expression

voice was rough when he finally spoke. "I