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“Then that makes you the biggest fool of all.”
Her words stung, ripping at my heart. I eased her inside, hissing as I scanned the surroundings. I hadn’t paid enough attention to where she’d been taken. While the room itself was opulent, Alexander had taken it upon himself to remove everything but just the basics.
“Am I required to remain naked?” she asked, the rebellious side to her as strong as ever.
I moved toward the closet, opening the door and snarling. Alexander was a true bastard. The single dresser held nothing either. “When you learn to obey, you’ll start to receive additional privileges. Until then, you will stay in the room.”
“No food. No water? That’s inhumane even for assholes like you.”
“I’ll make certain something is brought to you.” While the three of us were the only guests staying at the facility, there was an entire staff of maintenance workers, housekeepers, cooks, and landscapers who were told to stay out of sight. Alexander’s production was huge, risky as fuck, but an interesting game. Even more so than so many of his others had been.
My gut was still telling me that for whatever reason she’d planned all three of our deaths, she wasn’t the person we should be concerned about. I knew what the others would say, but I had to think like a cop instead of the college kid from the days I’d shoved behind me. “Why did you send us threats?” I had to know. It didn’t seem to fit her method of operation. She’d tried to remain anonymous, her use of disguises a clear indication.
Dahlia seemed genuinely perplexed, her brows furrowing. “What are you talking about?”
After shoving my hands into my pockets, I inched closer.
She immediately backed away.
“Texts sent to all three of us. A simple message that we would pay for our sins. I’m surprised you would announce your plans.”
Her lovely mouth twisted in response. Then she slowly shook her head. “Why would I be so stupid as to provide a single one of you with any indication of what you could expect? Given all the atrocities you performed all those years ago, my guess is that you have several enemies.”
Of all the things she’d spouted off, which were minimal, I believed this one. It would make no sense for a girl who had no business planning one—let alone three—murders to announce herself. “Interesting. How do you know what we did or didn’t do?”
“I have my sources.”
“Of course you do.”
I also believed that she’d been told at least a few stories regarding our antics, tasks performed that often crossed the lines.
“Do you remember anything about last night?” I asked, curious as to her answer.
“Other than you drugging me?” Her chiding answer and defiance faded quickly. “Not really, other than you said it was going to be alright. At least I think you did.”
Maybe it was good she hadn’t remembered the gunfire. “Were you working with anyone else?”
She swallowed twice before answering, the lovely tic on the corner of her mouth driving me crazy. God, I wanted the woman.
“No. I wasn’t. I didn’t tell anyone what I was doing or try and get anyone to help me. Don’t you think they’d call me crazy or try to stop me?” Her eyes were imploring. “I made a mistake, Daniel. That’s all you need to know.”
If she really believed that, then she didn’t understand what she’d gotten herself in the middle of. What I did know was that she was telling the truth, yet I stared at her with uncertainty likely showing in my eyes.
Dahlia looked away immediately, rubbing her fingers across her lips. Fuck. All I could think about was crushing mine over hers, drinking in her sweet essence.
Exasperated, I moved toward the door, stopping and taking several deep breaths. I heard a slight sound and knew she’d dragged some of the bedding away. When I turned my head, I captured her essence in a few precious seconds. She’d never wanted to engage in the activity she’d been pushed into. She’d been hurt by something or someone.
I didn’t have to be a mind reader to know who that was.
All three of us.
“I really didn’t send the warnings, Daniel. I’m not that stupid. I missed the mark on my use of poisons, but I had everything else correct. I’d learned enough about the three of you to know your weaknesses and I was able to use them against you.”
My laugh was little more than a groan. Great. If we had someone else planning our demise, it was going to be a rocky ride. But she was right. She’d used our dark needs against us. I could only imagine what she’d had planned for me. A part of me still wanted to know. I was a sick, twisted man.
“If you want me to say I’m sorry you didn’t succeed, I won’t do that. Everyone deserves a second chance.” Did I really believe that?
“I’m not so certain,” she whispered. “And I’m not even sure I do.”
