Bradley smiled and said, "Monday"


    Cameron frowned. "But we had lunch together that day."


    "I sent a firm associate to handle it," he said.


    She softened. "Really, Brad, Thanks."


    "Don''t sweat it." He waved her gratitude away and started the engine.


    "Where are we headed?" she asked.


    "Pearl''s new home."


    "Your ce?" Her eyebrows shot up.


    He grinned. "You''ll see. It''s a bit of a drive."


    Cameron was stunned, wondering, ''So Brad wants to keep Pearl at his ce? Looks like I''ll owe him another favor!


    She stole a nce at Pearl, who''d curled up in the backseat. She tamed the tiger to keep it safe, and rescuing it from Samuel felt like the right call


    A wave of doubt washed over her. Had she acted too hastily? After all, she wasn''t sure she could handle it, leaving her with no choice but to trouble Bradley.


    "Thank you," she said again, voice thick.


    "Save it until we get there." His gaze stayed fixed on the road, but his smile lingered.


    The car sped through the city. Skyscrapers gave way to open fields.


    Cameron gazed out the window as thendscape rushed past in a blur. "Are we leaving town?"


    Bradley nodded. "Almost there."


    She fell quiet, watching out the window. Pearl was curled up obediently in the back seat.


    Finally, the car drove out of the noisy city, climbed a winding mountain road, and stopped in front of an estate that looked like a medieval castle.


    The car horn chirped. Bradley gave a short, polite honk.


    Four middle-aged people, two men and two women, emerged from the castle. A young man trailed behind them.


    With charming eyes, the young man sauntered out with a grin. "Brad, I''ve been waiting forever."


    It was Eddie, Bradley''s fourth brother.


    The intricately patterned gates swung open. Bradley drove in and parked.


    He unbuckled his seatbelt. "We''re here, Cameron. This is it."


    Cameron stepped out of the car.


    "Wee, Mr. Saunders. Wee, Mr. Wace," the four servants bowed respectfully.


    “Hello,” Cameron replied politely, taking in her surroundings.


    The castle sat mid hillside, encircled by mountains. Lush greenery surrounded it,


    and the setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the treas.


    "Hey there, good-looking! Fancy meeting you again," Eddie called out, waving cheerfully.


    "Hello, Mr. Saunders," Cameron greeted him with a smile.


    Eddie strolled over, armis crossed, and eyed Cameron up and down. "Don''t be so formal. Just call me Eddie like Brad does."


    Cameron stayed silent. She wasn''t one to act so chummy right off the bat.


    Bradley swung open the rear car door and helped Pearl out.


    Pearl stretched leisurely on the ground. Even in thatid-back pose, the raw power of a wild predator was palpable.


    The four servants didn''t bat an eye at the sight of Pearl. Their calm demeanor made sense-after all, they were professional wild animal handlers Bradley had hired.


    Eddie sidled closer to Cameron, eyes wide. "Damn! That tiger''s a monster! One bite and you''re toast, right?"


    Cameron just stared, at a loss for words.


    Bradley pushed up his gold-rimmed sses. "Eddie, are you feeling brave enough to test that theory?"


    Eddie red at him. "Get lost."


    Chuckling, Bradley turned to Cameron. "Let''s go. I''ll show you the back."


    312


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