Chapter 36

Evening settled over Pine Valley, and Dante sat in his study, restless. Work refused to hold his focus. He reached for a bottle of whisky, thinking a drink might help, but the image of Evie in that maid uniform flickered through his mind and soured the idea.

On impulse, he left the study and crossed the quiet mansion toward the staff quarters. Outside Evie’s room, he hesitated, then knocked.

Insid