Leaving my hair flowing freely, I touch up my lip gloss and powder my face, then I leave the privacy of my quarters. Only a knee-length jacket conceals the risqué ensemble hugging my body like a second skin. The black stiletto heels on my feet announce my presence in the hall, and I cross my fingers no one else is taking a trip on the elevator.

Luck’s in my favor for once, but as I travel two floors down, my knees wobble. They threaten to give out when the elevator doors slide open, revealing the entryway to the House of Leo. I force my feet forward and approach those intimidating double doors.

The zodiac symbol for Leo greets me, the design etched in gold detail as the divide of doors slices it down the middle. The lion fits Sebastian like the lace on my skin; beautiful in simplicity but lethal with sensual power. I imagine him standing in front of an easel, wearing nothing but low-slung jeans and paint spatter, creating his magic with the fire and passion I’ve come to associate with him.

My fingers inch toward the doorbell, but fear grips my throat, and I falter. This is a bad idea. What was I thinking in coming here, dressed like this? What if he sends me away, his mouth forming that infamous scowl of his? He’ll see right through my trick and mock me for my attempt to take control of the situation.

He’ll say it doesn’t count.

I probably won’t get past the threshold.

My feet are already in retreat-mode, literally shaking in my heels, and that’s when a stubborn voice shouts through my mind that I’m not the meek, innocent girl I was when I first arrived on the island. The last two months have changed me, the cruelty of the Brotherhood dragging me, kicking and screaming, from the young girl I was into the woman I am now.

A woman that, in this moment, knows exactly what she wants.

I want the lion’s surrender, and it won’t happen if I keep playing defense. It’s time to take the offense and seize the power the men in this tower stole from me.

Bypassing the doorbell, I try the handle and push the door open before I change my mind, because there’s no better way to go on the offensive than catching someone off guard.

I want to catch Sebastian Stone so off guard that he falls on his egotistical ass.

My heartbeat drums in my chest as the empty foyer stands before me. Not wanting to announce my presence, I slip off my heels before stepping further into his domain, footsteps careful and quiet as the uncharacteristic act of breaking in roars in my ears.