Lovi watched her for a long moment without speaking, taking in every detail - her posture, her expression, the way she held herself even in a situation that was clearly designed to unsettle her. And then, satisfied that she had come alone and that everything was proceeding exactly as he had planned, he leaned back in his chair and gestured toward the spot where she was standing.
"You can stay right there for now," he said, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge of command. "Don't move any closer until I tell you that you can. I need to make sure everything is properly secured before we proceed."
The reaction from Cora was immediate and sharp.
Her jaw tightened visibly and her eyes flashed with something hot and dangerous - anger, pure and unfiltered, rising to the surface faster than she could suppress it.
