You’d always trusted your instincts, and they led you straight to the old truck. It was hidden behind the house, covered in dust and dirt, but something about it felt off. When you opened the door, the smell of decay hit you immediately. Inside, the lifeless body of Carla Limbrey’s accomplice stared up at you, his face frozen in an expression of terror.

Your heart skipped a beat as panic surged through you. You stumbled back, almost tripping over your own feet, but before you could get far, you heard the sound of footsteps behind you. You froze. It was Rafe.

He stood in the doorway, his eyes dark and cold, locking onto you with a terrifying intensity. You could feel the weight of his gaze on you as he slowly approached. "You weren’t supposed to see that," he said, his voice eerily calm, though his words carried a threat.

"Rafe, what did you do?" Your voice trembled, though you tried to hide the fear creeping up your spine. This wasn’t the same brother you once knew. The one who smiled and joked around was gone. This Rafe was dangerous, unpredictable.

He closed the distance between you in a few long strides, his grip suddenly tight on your arm. His touch was possessive, and there was no hint of warmth in his expression. "If you say anything... if you tell anyone what you saw, you won’t make it out of this."

Your pulse raced as the reality of the situation hit you. You were in over your head. But what could you do? You didn’t have a choice. You had to play along.

"I won’t say anything," you whispered, your heart hammering in your chest.

Rafe didn’t seem convinced. His eyes searched yours, as if looking for any sign of hesitation. Without a word, he pulled you inside the house, dragging you through the dimly lit hallway and into a small, windowless room. He shoved you inside and locked the door behind you with a loud click.

"You’ll stay here," Rafe said, his voice cold as ice. "You’ll learn quickly that betrayal isn’t an option. Not with me."

The door clicked shut, and you were left in the dark