Under His Roof

The Gates

The gates were taller than Amelia expected.

Black iron stretched high into the sky, curling into sharp designs that looked more like weapons than decoration. At the center of the metal was a crest—an unfamiliar symbol shaped like a crown wrapped in thorns.

Amelia leaned forward slightly in the back seat of the car.

“Subtle,” she muttered.

Beside her, Jinx pressed her face against the window like a kid at a zoo.

“Subtle?” Jinx whispered. “Amelia, this place looks like a villain’s castle.”

The driver slowed as the massive gates began to open with a deep metallic groan.

The sound made Amelia’s stomach twist.

It felt less like they were being welcomed…

and more like they were being let in.

The long driveway stretched ahead of them, winding through rows of dark cypress trees that blocked most of the sky. The house didn’t appear immediately. The estate was so big it took nearly a full minute of driving before the mansion finally emerged.

Jinx gasped.

“Oh my god.”

Even Amelia had to stare.

The Moretti estate rose from the hillside like something out of a movie—three towering stories of black stone and glass. Wide marble steps led up to enormous double doors, and tall windows reflected the fading evening light like mirrors.

It was beautiful.

But there was something cold about it too.

Like the house was watching them.

“Try not to look so impressed,” Enzo said from the front passenger seat, glancing back at them. “You’ll inflate Vance’s ego.”

Amelia rolled her eyes.

“Pretty sure he did that himself.”

Her father chuckled under his breath.

The car rolled to a stop at the bottom of the steps.

And that’s when Amelia saw him.

Vance Moretti stood waiting at the top of the staircase.

Even from this distance, he was hard to ignore.

He wore a dark suit with the jacket unbuttoned, one hand resting casually in his pocket. The wind tugged slightly at his black hair, but he didn’t move. Didn’t shift.

Didn’t look away.

His attention was fixed entirely on the car.

On them.

On her.

“Why is he just… standing there like that?” Jinx whispered.

“Because he owns the place,” Amelia said quietly.

The driver opened the door.

Cool evening air rushed in as Amelia stepped out onto the gravel.

Her sneakers crunched softly as she looked up the long staircase.

Vance hadn’t changed much over the years.

He had always been tall. Always serious. Always the kind of man who made people quiet when he entered a room.

But something about him now felt… different.

Sharper.

More intimidating.