~LAYLA~
"Done," Dr. Thornhill said, putting the swab into a tube and sealing it.
"And ours," Axel's hired medic said, doing the same with his kit. He put the tube into a metal briefcase that was handcuffed to his wrist. "These will be in the lab within the hour, Mr. O'Brien."
"Good," Axel said, watching Julian.
Julian rubbed his cheek where the swab had scraped him. "Well, that was fun. Can we go back to our lives now? I have a tee time in the morning."
Isabelle didn't answer. She just watched me over the rim of her teacup with cold, calculating eyes. There were no verbal threats or telling, just a dismissive silence that said she expected me to be gone by sunset tomorrow.
Pennyworth cleared his throat from the doorway.
"The Duke is awake," he said quietly. "He's asking for you, Mrs. O'Brien."
My heart jumped. "Now?"
"If you're ready," Pennyworth said.
