Inside a luxury van moving steadily from Ashvale toward Washington, the interior was quiet.
Soft ambient lighting ran along the ceiling, reflecting faintly off polished surfaces and dark-tinted windows. The city lights outside blurred into streaks as the vehicle cut through the night, insulated from the outside world, leaving only the three of them inside.
Christian sat in the middle of the salon-style seating, with Anastasia on his right and Eva on his left.
Under any other circumstances it would have been perfect — two breathtaking women within arm's reach, close enough to feel their warmth.
Yet none of that mattered.
Because right now, he felt like he was sitting on needles.
Eva had greeted Anastasia politely at the start, tone composed and respectful. Anastasia had replied — brief, controlled, distant. Nothing seemed wrong then. But somewhere along the ride the air had shifted.
Christian exhaled quietly, glancing ahead for a moment before forcing himself to speak.
