Hull took a slow drag from his cigarette, saying nothing, though the curve of his lips sharpened into a predatory smile as his gaze fixed on Derek. That look alone was enough to send a chill down Derek's spine. It was all too familiar-the eyes, the smile, the air of menace.

His chest tightened, growing almost painful. "Who are you?" he demanded.

Hull's smile vanished, the mocking glimmer in his eyes replaced with a cold, lethal light. “Who I am doesn't matter. The important thing, Mr. Murray, is that you're a man who deserves to lose everything."

The words landed like a blow to the heart, making Derek shudder. "You... Who are you?" This time, desperation broke through his composure. Now he was absolutely certain: he had met Hull somewhere before. They shared a history steeped in bitter hatred. But Hull's real identity eluded him-after so many years and so many enemies made by Black Gate in the shadows, Derek couldn't recall where their paths had crossed, or what kind of hatred simmered between them. Hull's chilling threat—“lose everything❞—sent a wave of dread washing over him.

Before Derek could say another word, a woman's sleepy, plaintive voice drifted from inside the room: "It's so cold... Hold me, please.....”

Both men froze, their gazes locked for an instant. Derek's lips pressed into a tight, colorless line. Hull, however, let the ghost of a smile play across his mouth. He glanced past Derek to where Caden stood in the corridor. His voice dropped into a knife-edged warning. "If you knock on this door again, you'd better be ready to lose your life."

With that, Hull vanished back through the door, pulling it shut behind him.

Derek stood in the hallway, locked in place, his muscles rigid and his whole body cold. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles showed white. Without looking at Caden, he ground out, "Find out everything you can about Hull. Who was he before he met Mr. Quinn?"

Everyone knew Hull worked for Ronald Quinn, that he was trusted enough to build a power base of his own. He'd always been a shadowy presence at Quinn's side, more than a mere subordinate. To negotiate terms with someone like Quinn meant Hull's past had to carry serious weight and likely some formidable leverage.

"Yes, sir. I'll get right on it," Caden replied quickly.

Derek's tone turned bitter. "And Susanna..." But the words choked off; bitterness warred with pain in his eyes. "Forget it."

Caden hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Miss Susanna probably hasn't come

to terms with you being her father. Once she does... she won't act like this."

A harsh, angry snort escaped Derek. "A daughter who sides with outsiders against her own father? I want nothing to do with a daughter ke that in his mind, no child of his would betray him so.

"Sir, whether you want her or not, for now you need to make peace," Caden pressed, his tone grave. “You heard Hull. The attack on Black Gate was led by him —not Mr. Quinn, not Xander."

Derek's fists trembled, fury barely contained behind steely composure. “You're right. I can't be rid of her yet."

He shut his eyes, schooling away the murderous blaze that threatened to break free. Rage at Susanna's disloyalty burned within him, but he buried it deep.

Inside the bedroom, Susanna was

BUT

caught between shivering chills and flashes of fever. When heat swept Of over her, she craved the cool sweetness of oranges; when the cold returned, she cocooned herself tighter in blankets, but it was never enough The chill bit deeper when the covers shifted, icy air seeping in until she ached in her bones.

Half-awake, she looked up at Hull with pleading, exhausted eyes. “Cold..."

Without a word, Hull gathered her into his arms, enfolding her against his body's blazing warmth. The heat drove away the cold instantly Susanna nuzzled closer, basking in the comfort, sighing with relief.

"So cold," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Don't let go... Just hold me..."

Hull brushed her fevered forehead gently. " Sleep," he murmured, his tone unexpectedly soft.